Win2k Problems...Repair or Reinstall

[winwiz88]

My Win2k setup for some reason wont boot. It gets to the Starting Windows thing, then gives me an error and tells me to use the repair function on the cd. I didnt have an emergency repair disk for this computer install, but i made one from another comp that doesnt have the same specs though. It i use the disk it says all of my files dont match, but that make sense. When i use locate my installation it tells me that it cant find win2k. How would i use the recovery console to fix my problem? or can i reinstall windows without it reformating? or can i install XP Pro or Win Server 2k3 so i can access my data to back up and reformat and do a clean install?

I really need to get to my data and id like to be able to retreive it at the least...

Hopefully someone can help me out here....

 

[lowtech1]

Can you boot to safemode?
If you can then use that to backup all your data, and make sure to un-encrypt all of your files.

Try NTFSDOS or a live Linux disk (Knoppix), and copy your files to another drive/partition or burn it on to a CD. However, all NTFS protected files will forever be gone.

And, then format/reinstall (don't bother with upgrade or reinstall).

Good luck!

 

[winwiz88]

I dont have another drive, so where is NTFSDOS and how can i make another partition or burn a cd????

Also what are the NTFS protected Files? Whats in the document and settings folder???

 

[lowtech1]

Google is your friend

See Andy Hui sticky thread at top of Operating System forums, "If you use NTFS encryption, read this".

Bring your computer to a local shop to get it fix if you can't find away or figure it out, because you might lose your data by trying.

 

[winwiz88]

I dont think i have encryption enabled, and i do not want to take it to a shop. I can reinstall windows but i really dont want to since i would prefer to get data off of there.

However... I have and old computer with completly different specs, but has win2k on it. Could i put that in my system and beable to boot off of that then, copy my files to that hdd from the c: drive?

 

[winwiz88]

I dont think i have encryption enabled, and i do not want to take it to a shop. I can reinstall windows but i really dont want to since i would prefer to get data off of there.

However... I have and old computer with completly different specs, but has win2k on it. Could i put that in my system and beable to boot off of that then, copy my files to that hdd from the c: drive?

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: winwiz88
I dont think i have encryption enabled, and i do not want to take it to a shop. I can reinstall windows but i really dont want to since i would prefer to get data off of there.

However... I have and old computer with completly different specs, but has win2k on it. Could i put that in my system and beable to boot off of that then, copy my files to that hdd from the c: drive?

Remove the hdd from your down computer & mount the hdd as slave or secondary IDE onto your working Win2k box. Then, copy all of your hdd content over.

 

[winwiz88]

I dont think i can... The HDD from the down computer is an ATA100 drive while the other computer, is either ATA33 or 66, would i be able to still hook my other drive up?

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: winwiz88
I dont think i can... The HDD from the down computer is an ATA100 drive while the other computer, is either ATA33 or 66, would i be able to still hook my other drive up?

It doesn't matter what speed your hdds are because the IDE controler will drop the speed down to the slower compatible DMA mode as it needed to get both hdds onto the same channel.

 

[winwiz88]

On a side note, i tried to make a partition using the 2000, XP, and 2003 Server CD-Roms, when i press 'c' it does nothing, same with using the partdsk cmd in the recovery console.

And when reinstalling windows, when i go to install, shoudl it be teling me that there is another OS and that by continuing it could cause the old one to function improperly, then directs me to a website for more info or continue. Does anyone know of a good guide to reinstalling windows???

 

[lowtech1]

Boot with one of your CD follow instruction on del/create partition & install. Other wise try Google search for help on installing Windows.

 

[winwiz88]

Now that is where i run into problems. It syas to hit c, but that does not work. However i can select other functions such as delete partition, etc...