Hard Drive Problem, I can access the files through a different OS, but I can't reinstall XP

CarlKillerMiller

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2003
3,099
0
0
My hard drive died the other day, or so I thought. I had attempted to reinstall windows, which gave me a nonexistent hard drive error, and I can't get into windows again because it tells me that my system files are corrupted.

So, I ran a linux-based OS called Mepis off of a cd. It loaded just fine (Why wouldn't it, I guess) and I was able to access the files through it.

Now, my dilemma is this: How do I fix windows XP? I want to be able to fix my corrupted boot sector files so that I can run the machine like I normally did.

Because the Mepis cd is in the drive, I have no way of extracting those files onto, say, a cd-rw. I have a sealed backup 200 gig Maxtor HDD sitting in my closet, but I don't want to have to take it out if I can fix this one.

Can anyone on these wonderful forums help me?
 

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
9,615
1
0
Get an external enclosure and pop the broken HDD in and run a data recovery program to get back what you need. Then do a low level format to correct any drve errors.
 

RGPHNX

Member
Jul 4, 2005
31
0
0
HI CarlKillerMiller,
Juice Box is right.
Your other option would be to install you "corrupted" drive into another friends computer..then.. use CD to get you data..then.. format the corrupted drive(using a XP bootdisk)..then..re-instal XP on it.
Hope this helps
RGPHNX