Corrupt files-use that drive as a back-up?

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I have Windows XP Pro and it won't start up. I got an error message that
there was a corrupt file. It would stop booting while loading windows
drivers I think. So I had a bright idea but really know nothing about this
stuff. I had a computer at work that runs windows 2000 and would like to
install the hard drive with xp as a back-up and get acces to the files on it
since most stuff is not backed up. I messed with it for a little while, but
when both drives are hooked up and I try to start 2000 I get an error
message. Is there any way I can get this to work. As I said I know nothing
aboutthis kind of stuff and any help or suggestions would be appreciated,
especially if I can get back the files on the drive with xp. Thanks so much
 
Just an added note-if I could at least force the system using XP to the c
prompt and skip the windows startup all together I could at least copy the
files I need and transfer them. Thanks
 
momma said:
I have Windows XP Pro and it won't start up. I got an error message that
there was a corrupt file. It would stop booting while loading windows
drivers I think. So I had a bright idea but really know nothing about
this
stuff. I had a computer at work that runs windows 2000 and would like to
install the hard drive with xp as a back-up and get acces to the files on
it
since most stuff is not backed up. I messed with it for a little while,
but when both drives are hooked up and I try to start 2000 I get an error
message. Is there any way I can get this to work. As I said I know
nothing aboutthis kind of stuff and any help or suggestions would be
appreciated,
especially if I can get back the files on the drive with xp. Thanks so
much
Click to expand...

You need to post back with the exact error message from the XP boot. It is
completely possible to back up your data without getting into Windows.
Since you only have a Win2k box and it won't boot with the slave (what is
the error message - exact text?), you could use a Bart's PE or Knoppix.

I'm happy to give you details about that, but we need to know the error
messages from both the XP bootup and from what happens when you slave the
XP drive in the Win2k box first.

Malke
 
momma deb said:
I have Windows XP Pro and it won't start up. I got an error message that
there was a corrupt file. It would stop booting while loading windows
drivers I think. So I had a bright idea but really know nothing about
this
stuff. I had a computer at work that runs windows 2000 and would like to
install the hard drive with xp as a back-up and get acces to the files on
it
since most stuff is not backed up. I messed with it for a little while,
but
when both drives are hooked up and I try to start 2000 I get an error
message. Is there any way I can get this to work. As I said I know
nothing
aboutthis kind of stuff and any help or suggestions would be appreciated,
especially if I can get back the files on the drive with xp. Thanks so
much
Click to expand...

You should certainly be able to get access to the drive from a running Win2K
install, and back up your data to another drive.

What is the error message? You may simply have the drive jumpers set
incorrectly. These must be set correctly, usually either Cable Select with
the boot disk at the end of the cable or as Master and Slave with the boot
drive as Master if they are both on one IDE channel. Set properly, both
drives should be detected in the BIOS and the system should start right up.

You can also use a USB drive case to get access to the drive without having
to open the W2K case. These aren't expensive, and are useful things to
have around. Usually, the drive is set to Master, but it varies with
case/drive combinations. No extra drivers will be needed. Just install
the drive in the case, plug in the power, and plug in the USB cable.
Note that if the W2K system does not have USB 2.0 hardware, transfer will be
slower - but will work.

For example and illustration,
http://www.cooldrives.com/usbenclosures.html


This is also available without the case, as a cable and power supply. I
use this as part of my toolkit now, and it works great.
http://www.bonafidereviews.com/article.php?id=149


I would suggest not getting an enclosure with both USB and Firewire. These
cost more and I haven't found them to be durable. You don't need anything
fancy. You don't need to pay more than about US$30.

If the corrupt file was one of the registry files, this is pretty
straightforward to fix from the recovery console. You can also do it while
the drive is hosted on the W2K system.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/

HTH
-pk
 
Thanks so much for you answers. I think I will try using the cable and power
supply approach first. If I understand correctly I just plug it in and it
will turn the drive running xp into basically a portable drive much like a
Jump Drive? This would be great as I am not too concerned about preserving
XP just the files. And I WILL learn to backup regularly, I swear:) Thanks
again, Debbie
 
momma deb said:
Thanks so much for you answers. I think I will try using the cable and
power
supply approach first. If I understand correctly I just plug it in and it
will turn the drive running xp into basically a portable drive much like a
Jump Drive?
Click to expand...


Basically, yes. XP or Windows 2000 will see it as a normal drive, and you
don't have to open the case. The only issue is getting the jumper setting
correct, and that's a quick and easy change to make. Just disconnect and
power down the drive before making changes.

HTH
-pk
 
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