Recovery disk for XP, need help creating one

[aceofskies05]

Im trying to fix my friends laptop running xp sp3. The task bar doesn't appear, its just like one line. My computer, control panel, and my documents open, however you cant access any of the files. If you press Ctrlaltdelete, a incomplete window comes up, like theirs no top bar or anything. I tried doing a chckdsk /f , I tried safe mode too. Nothing worked. It says its missing some .dll. So what I am trying to do is make a XP disk with a blank CDR. I want to use the repair function of a regular windows xp disk, but I dont have a xp disk on hand right now. Tips?


PIC( sorry its fbook) pic of issue

 

[TheStu]

Get an XP disk.

 

[aceofskies05]

Thats the problem, its at home, im in a dorm, so I dont have access to one atm.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: aceofskies05
Thats the problem, its at home, im in a dorm, so I dont have access to one atm.

You could ask around, you just need an XP disk and then get nLite and you can make your own SP3 slipstream disk.

Or, go to the IT department at your school, and see if they will give you one.

 

[RebateMonger]

Some laptop vendors will send you free or cheap Install or Recovery CDs if you call them and ask.

Did you verify that the PC doesn't have a "Recovery Partition" built in? Many factory PCs do.

 

[aceofskies05]

No recovery partition, older dell laptop.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: aceofskies05
No recovery partition, older dell laptop.

Ok, then. If you have a couple of days, I've never seen a case where Dell wouldn't send a free set of recovery disks to the owner.

 

[bruceb]

True, Dell will send them out to you for free (once, only) ... I just had Dell resend the CD Set for my Dimension 8200 thinking they would send XP Home with SP3 since it has been out so long. What showed up was XP Home with SP2 .. For your problem, any XP OEM CD of the proper version (Home or Pro) with SP3 already in it or with you slipstreaming SP3 into it will work fine.