corrupt config.sys.

[5064dougal]

XP home closed normally. At next startup crashed. Error 0x00000051.All boot
options exhausted. Repair console "r"ineffective. Some backups saved. I want
to
save as much as possible.
HDD=30gb. used=20gb C;onlypartition. Optical drives(2)&FDD function
Last Resort=remove and replace. Regards,

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

You should try running the command:
CHKDSK /R

(if you haven't already.) Putting the drive in as a slave after installing a
new drive and system may then allow some data recovery. You will probably
need to 'take ownership' to get access to the drive.
Q308421 - HOW TO Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q308421