Windows recovery Windows 2k, XP
NOTE: Do not try to back up programs or program files. You should have the software for them. If you transfer them, you can corrupt the new operating system.
NOTE: If you have already done an install of windows or other type of recovery, you may not be able to recover the files from the system. You may have to contact a data recovery company for assistance. They are expensive and not 100% guaranteed.
- Try Safe mode
- Try safe mode with networking
- Try Last known good configuration
- Try running CHKDSK /r
- Try running Windows repair (This usually doesn't work, can harm personal data on the drive and can cause more issues)
- You can try Replacing the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM.
- Install another drive and make your drive the secondary drive. You might be able to access the data then. (Make sure the drive is not infected with a virus because you can infect the primary drive with it this way)
- You can also buy an external hard drive enclosure that connects to the USB port.
- You can try a dirty reinstall of the operating system (This is where you install on top of windows. Doesn't fix the issue. Actually causes more problems but it sometimes allows you to access your data).
NOTE: Your CD-ROM burner will not burn data using the built in burning software in safe mode but if you have burning software installed from Nero or Sonic. You should be able to burn with it in safe mode. You might be able to transfer the data to another computer while in safe mode with networking.
If your computer is using Microsoft Windows 2000 and you are encountering the NTLDR error. Create the below Boot.INI file on the floppy diskette drive.
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetectCopy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files from another computer using the same Operating System. Both of these files are located in the root directory of the primary hard disk drive. For example C:\NTLDR and C:\NTDETECT.COM should be the locations of these files on many computers.
- Please keep in mind that these files are hidden system files, if you need additional help with viewing hidden files in Windows please see document CH000516.
Once these files have been copied to a floppy diskette reboot the computer and copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files to the root directory of the primary hard disk drive. Below is an example of what commonly should be performed from the A:\> drive.
copy NTLDR c:
copy Ntdetect.com c:After the above two files have been copied, remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.
Windows XP users
- Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
- When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
- Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
- Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
- You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password. (If you didn't create a password try just pressing Enter)
- Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your computer.
copy e:\i386\NTLDR c:\
copy e:\i386\Ntdetect.com c:\
- Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.
Misconfiguration with the Boot.INI file
Edit the Boot.INI on the root directory of the hard disk drive and verify that it is pointing to the correct location of your Windows Operating System and that the partitions are properly defined.
If you still can't access your data, you can contact a data recovery company to see if they can retrieve your data. They are very expensive and not 100% guaranteed. Here is a few of the companies.