- Apr 24, 2001
- 5,993
- 495
- 126
hi there,
I have this big issue with my secondary machine, and i need some urgent - and expert - help.
The computer had Windows 2000 Pro on it, and i was just going to take everything I had on the boot HD and save on other disks... this week-end I was going to format and install XP Pro... but fate has struck before I had the chance to save "My Documents" and everything I had on the desktop.
Basically, I cannot boot into it anymore... I tried a Repair option, but the automatic repair is asking me for an Emergency repair diskette, which I don't have, and I don't know how to use the console recovery.
Besides which, it appears that there is no recognizable operating system??? at least that's what various messages indicate.
I tried using a Winternals Administrator's CD, but it indicates there's no operating system, either.
Now, what are my options, if i want to recover all my files (short of using a new HD to install the operating system, and then pulling out everything from the old HD?
I am thinking avbout installing a Windows XP on top of what now on the HD, and once I have something to work with, at least I can reach the files, copy them elsewhere and so on.
BUT... and here is where i need your help - will I be losing all the documents and everything I had on the desktop, if I try to install windows xp on top of what's on the HD right now? of course, I DON"T PLAN on asking the machine to reformat the HD, and will avoid doing that, but even so, are these documents in any danger?
I don't dare to do anything, so any type of creative input is greatly appreciated.
I have this big issue with my secondary machine, and i need some urgent - and expert - help.
The computer had Windows 2000 Pro on it, and i was just going to take everything I had on the boot HD and save on other disks... this week-end I was going to format and install XP Pro... but fate has struck before I had the chance to save "My Documents" and everything I had on the desktop.
Basically, I cannot boot into it anymore... I tried a Repair option, but the automatic repair is asking me for an Emergency repair diskette, which I don't have, and I don't know how to use the console recovery.
Besides which, it appears that there is no recognizable operating system??? at least that's what various messages indicate.
I tried using a Winternals Administrator's CD, but it indicates there's no operating system, either.
Now, what are my options, if i want to recover all my files (short of using a new HD to install the operating system, and then pulling out everything from the old HD?
I am thinking avbout installing a Windows XP on top of what now on the HD, and once I have something to work with, at least I can reach the files, copy them elsewhere and so on.
BUT... and here is where i need your help - will I be losing all the documents and everything I had on the desktop, if I try to install windows xp on top of what's on the HD right now? of course, I DON"T PLAN on asking the machine to reformat the HD, and will avoid doing that, but even so, are these documents in any danger?
I don't dare to do anything, so any type of creative input is greatly appreciated.
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