Error message help - Page 3

shamrock_uk · 05-23-2006, 04:12 PM

The problem you're facing at the moment is a conceptual one brought about as the result of Windows design - the graphical interface is inextricably tied to the operating system. If you can't get your desktop up, you can't do anything else.

You'll find your files are actually there intact, you just can't get into a graphical screen and therefore can't access them. If you were using a Mac or Linux, your computer is still usable without the graphical part - you could boot straight to a console and make repairs from there. This isn't really possible in Windows (although sort of at the CD Rescue console)

So it's not so much that your files aren't accessible, simply that Windows can't boot far enough to let you access them within Windows.

The livecd bypasses all that kerfuffle and will boot you to a graphical desktop and let you see the contents of both drives and drag and drop to your hearts content.

[ 05-23-2006, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

ZFR · 05-23-2006, 04:20 PM

or you can download a boot floppy and use a simple command line interface

[ 05-23-2006, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: ZFR ]

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 05-23-2006, 05:10 PM

I don't have a floppy in the computer.

[ 05-24-2006, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

Bungleau · 05-23-2006, 05:33 PM

Well, there may still be one option within Windows. If you can get to the Safe Mode selection screen during boot, you should have the option to boot to a DOS prompt. OR a shell, or whatever they call it. You need to press either F5 or F8 during the boot process, and you need to do it at the right spot.

If you do it right, you'll be brought to a listing of boot options. Pick the one that says Command Prompt, and you should be good.

You won't have a lot of tools, but you'll be able to access stuff. And if you've got network connectivity, you can export things to another machine.

shamrock_uk · 05-23-2006, 05:42 PM

I thought that only worked with Win95, 98 and ME Bungleau? Dos can only be run in a sort of emulator in NT/2000/XP.

But just in case I'm wrong, the line you're looking for is "command prompt only" IIRC.

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 05-23-2006, 09:15 PM

Well, I did get there but it will not go the C: prompt. I seem to get an error message before that. I wish I could get to the prompt.... I miss DOS sometimes..

Ha Ha, this is really funny! I didn't have the windows cd in the drive. I think that's important in order to boot to CD, isn't it?

[ 05-23-2006, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

Bungleau · 05-23-2006, 10:50 PM

Well, that will help quite a bit...

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 05-24-2006, 10:25 AM

Now, I'm wondering if I can install XP to the other drive in the PC. This way I can (maybe) pull any data I need off the other one?

vesselle · 05-24-2006, 10:32 AM

to do that, you'll haveta disable the first drive, won't you? i think the windows installer will detect the original os, regardless of what drive it's on, and want to reinstall over the original otherwise.

V***V

Bungleau · 05-24-2006, 10:51 AM

It's been a while since I reinstalled Windows, but if you simply switch the C: and D: drives, that should cover it.

You also get a choice of where you want to install Windows. You could install on D: and boot from D: first afterwards.

05-23-2006, 04:20 PM	#22
ZFR Legion Symbol Join Date: February 14, 2002 Location: Ireland Age: 39 Posts: 7,367	or you can download a boot floppy and use a simple command line interface [ 05-23-2006, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: ZFR ] __________________ ZFR

05-23-2006, 05:10 PM	#23
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 58 Posts: 5,634	I don't have a floppy in the computer. [ 05-24-2006, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ] __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

05-23-2006, 05:33 PM	#24
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Well, there may still be one option within Windows. If you can get to the Safe Mode selection screen during boot, you should have the option to boot to a DOS prompt. OR a shell, or whatever they call it. You need to press either F5 or F8 during the boot process, and you need to do it at the right spot. If you do it right, you'll be brought to a listing of boot options. Pick the one that says Command Prompt, and you should be good. You won't have a lot of tools, but you'll be able to access stuff. And if you've got network connectivity, you can export things to another machine. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

05-23-2006, 09:15 PM	#26
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 58 Posts: 5,634	Well, I did get there but it will not go the C: prompt. I seem to get an error message before that. I wish I could get to the prompt.... I miss DOS sometimes.. Ha Ha, this is really funny! I didn't have the windows cd in the drive. I think that's important in order to boot to CD, isn't it? [ 05-23-2006, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ] __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

05-23-2006, 10:50 PM	#27
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Well, that will help quite a bit... __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

05-23-2006, 04:12 PM	#21
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 41 Posts: 3,092	The problem you're facing at the moment is a conceptual one brought about as the result of Windows design - the graphical interface is inextricably tied to the operating system. If you can't get your desktop up, you can't do anything else. You'll find your files are actually there intact, you just can't get into a graphical screen and therefore can't access them. If you were using a Mac or Linux, your computer is still usable without the graphical part - you could boot straight to a console and make repairs from there. This isn't really possible in Windows (although sort of at the CD Rescue console) So it's not so much that your files aren't accessible, simply that Windows can't boot far enough to let you access them within Windows. The livecd bypasses all that kerfuffle and will boot you to a graphical desktop and let you see the contents of both drives and drag and drop to your hearts content. [ 05-23-2006, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

05-23-2006, 05:42 PM	#25
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 41 Posts: 3,092	I thought that only worked with Win95, 98 and ME Bungleau? Dos can only be run in a sort of emulator in NT/2000/XP. But just in case I'm wrong, the line you're looking for is "command prompt only" IIRC.

05-24-2006, 10:25 AM	#28
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 58 Posts: 5,634	Now, I'm wondering if I can install XP to the other drive in the PC. This way I can (maybe) pull any data I need off the other one? __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

05-24-2006, 10:32 AM	#29
vesselle Hathor Join Date: April 6, 2001 Location: the desert Posts: 2,296	to do that, you'll haveta disable the first drive, won't you? i think the windows installer will detect the original os, regardless of what drive it's on, and want to reinstall over the original otherwise. V***V __________________ my best friend is a junkie. what does your best friend do?

05-24-2006, 10:51 AM	#30
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	It's been a while since I reinstalled Windows, but if you simply switch the C: and D: drives, that should cover it. You also get a choice of where you want to install Windows. You could install on D: and boot from D: first afterwards. __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

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