No Boot On Winxp Pc

[opalhort]

one of our PCs has quit.

it boots to the BIOS and that is it. NTLDR is missing error.

checked on google and found info but nothing works.

using the original WIN XP CD to boot, when in the repair console 'R' and enter DIR there is no boot.ini file or windows directory.

tried BOOTCFG /REBUILD and get error:

"failed to successfully scan disks for windows installations. This error may be caused by a corrupt file system........."

I did run chkdsk twice and still no change.

I guess I have a badly fouled up HDD.

My question is:

Since I have a shadow copy backup (using Windows own backup function) on a different drive only a few days old, how can I get this copy back onto my C drive without being able to access Windows?

This file is a *.bkf file but how to use it if you don't have access to Windows?

opalhort

[Rice_King]

It sounds as if you used the XP backup utility.

If in fact you did use the XP backup utility, and checked the 4th option, backup "All information on this computer," it should have created a "system recovery disk that can be used to restore Windows in the case of a major failure."

Do you have said "disk?"

[opalhort]

It sounds as if you used the XP backup utility.

If in fact you did use the XP backup utility, and checked the 4th option, backup "All information on this computer," it should have created a "system recovery disk that can be used to restore Windows in the case of a major failure."

Do you have said "disk?"

yes, I used the XP backup utility.

the latest backup I made was only selective for drive C but with all the by default selected folders/files included.

last year I did make a ASR disk, but apparently this can no longer be read.

since I hardly ever use a floppy I guess the drive can't read any more, not even a MS DOS boot floppy which works OK on other PCs.

the strange thing is that only the windows folder and all system files have disappeared incl documents and settings etc.

Programs, data files and non system folders/files are still there.

I do have a recent .bkf of drive C on an external drive of a different PC.

Obviously I can't use the LAN to recover files, so how can I extract selective folders from the .bkf file and get them into the dead PC? This would be just for testing and if I can get windows back I could start a proper repair job without having to go through the re-install procedure.

opalhort

[Rice_King]

Based on what you have told me here, I don't see any other recourse other than a complete re-installation of your OS. Once you have your OS back up and running, you can recover the files and folders that you backed up previously. If you could locate the recovery disk and make it work, it might be a different matter.

Next time you make a disaster recovery backup of your OS drive, don't use the XP Backup utility. (That is a disaster in and of itself.) You will want to make an image file with a 3rd party software application such as Symantec Ghost, Acronis Drive Image, etc.. and create a recovery disk and keep it in a safe place.

[opalhort]

a few more questions regarding my problem:

1. what could be the reason that only most of the system files incl. Windows folder, have disappeared but programs and data are still there?

2. since the files/folders are gone, why does the used/free disk space still show the same as it was before disaster struck?

3. any way to reconstruct the file allocation table? chkdsk did not do the trick. the disk is a NTFS partition.

4. any idea what could have caused the problem? I did not install / uninstall anything (hard- or software), did not change any settings, shut down PC as normal in the evening and at morning start-up ..... end of road. no electrical storm overnight etc., anyway we use UPS.

5. If I re-format and re-install WIN XP, can I use the recover from backup (.bkf) win utility to reload the entire disk and overwrite the new installation and get all my old settings and program installations back or would I have to reinstall all programs and settings?

regarding ghosting software:

is DrvImagerXP 2.2 a reasonable choice?

using ghosting software, does the destination drive have to have the same capacity as the source drive or is a destination drive with enough capacity for the USED portion of the source drive sufficient?

opalhort

[A_Traveller]

You might want to take a look at the link below, since you can create a mini-XP which might allow you to access your system and see what the issue is. I recall you have a couple of PC's.

Regards

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

[opalhort]

You might want to take a look at the link below, since you can create a mini-XP which might allow you to access your system and see what the issue is. I recall you have a couple of PC's.

Regards

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

thanks for the link, looks exactly like what I need. have downloaded it already and will get to work as soon as I have the time.

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

just for to be sure that you've loose all systemfiles from windows do the following:

1. boot from your XP cd (the one you installesd windows origin from);

2. ignore the first screen where you can access a Repair function;

3. for the EULA screen hit F8 to accept;

4. after the EULA screen should come one with a Repair function: if this come click on it and it will re-install windows without loosing data, settings and others, if it not come, your windows is really badly damaged and need a clean new install.

This test may can show you your windows is badly damaged or not!

[opalhort]

just for to be sure that you've loose all systemfiles from windows do the following:

1. boot from your XP cd (the one you installesd windows origin from);

2. ignore the first screen where you can access a Repair function;

3. for the EULA screen hit F8 to accept;

4. after the EULA screen should come one with a Repair function: if this come click on it and it will re-install windows without loosing data, settings and others, if it not come, your windows is really badly damaged and need a clean new install.

This test may can show you your windows is badly damaged or not!

thanks, no repair available after EULA accept. I have a feeling my HDD has a problem.

opalhort

[opalhort]

something very strange occurred just now.

after I followed Reimar's suggestion, all I got after accept EULA was the option of where (partition) to install WIN. exited with F3, removed CD and PC went into re-boot.

after boot (ASUS MB screen) a very brief message came up that a certain .dll is missing in the win root directory and then for the first time since the problem started I got the option to start win in safe or normal etc. mode, selected safe mode.

It did load drivers and .dlls which took over 15min and then went on to load WIN in normal mode on it's own. Now the desktop appears to be back to normal but it still has not finished loading all programs (ZoneAlarm and ASUS MB monitor are still pending). The HDD is VERY active for the past 20 min and is still going strong, every couple of seconds the cursor hourglass pops up. doing anything on the PC is impossible because it takes 1-2 min for any click to show any reaction.

All drives of this PC can be seen on and accessed via our LAN.

For now I would not like to try a new re-boot but let the PC run and hope that eventually WIN will stop trying to find something on the HDD.

What would be the best course of action to take now?

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

I would like to suggest you to download a program named CureIT and run a full scan with it.

I had just some terrible problems with the Longhorn Server about some Spyware/Trojan. The Comp was going down at all times after booting. Running of serveral scans with different software has not any positive effect. Finally I downloaded the CureIT and run it in Safe Mode, was take about 3 hour to finish and hoppla: the comp works fine!

I even wasn't able to "repair" from CD! Nod32, Avast, CounterSpy, ClamAV, BitDefender and others: NO WAY. But CureIT done the job! Even research on the Net showing huge problem with this infection and to get it clean, nearly all impossible! But: DONE!

May you got some "animals" in your comp?!

CureIT didn't need to be installed, runs from a USB-Stick and on Server and in Safe Mode as well! and it's FREE here

Maybe you try it!

[Guest Reimar]

Forget: If there isn't the option to repair after the EULA screen, means that some systemfiles very badly damaged which can be by an "adon" of an virus/trojan/spy! May also the FAT is damaged as well.

If it's my comp, I would save all data, if I haven't before, and format and re-install.

But try to first to check as I suggest before.

[opalhort]

Thanks for all your help

for now it appears that my PC is back to normal.

I did the following:

while the PC was still trying to load something (I guess it was ZoneAlarm it could not load) I opened the DOS window (RUN/cmd), entered CHKNTFS - result: no dirt found

then entered WINMSD and later WINMSDP - no report back but the HDD stopped it's activity.

after exit DOS window I did a system restore to latest point available and after restart everything is OK, even ZoneAlarm loaded OK.

so, what could have been the problem? hard- or software?

I hope somebody can still answer my question in an earlier post about ghosting software.

regarding ghosting software:

is DrvImagerXP 2.2 a reasonable choice?

using ghosting software, does the destination drive have to have the same capacity as the source drive or is a destination drive with enough capacity for the USED portion of the source drive sufficient?

opalhort

[Guest Reimar]

Thanks for all your help

for now it appears that my PC is back to normal.

I did the following:

while the PC was still trying to load something (I guess it was ZoneAlarm it could not load) I opened the DOS window (RUN/cmd), entered CHKNTFS - result: no dirt found

then entered WINMSD and later WINMSDP - no report back but the HDD stopped it's activity.

after exit DOS window I did a system restore to latest point available and after restart everything is OK, even ZoneAlarm loaded OK.

so, what could have been the problem? hard- or software?

I hope somebody can still answer my question in an earlier post about ghosting software.

regarding ghosting software:

is DrvImagerXP 2.2 a reasonable choice?

using ghosting software, does the destination drive have to have the same capacity as the source drive or is a destination drive with enough capacity for the USED portion of the source drive sufficient?

opalhort

I do like HDCopy. It's an excelent german software (in english!!) which even can clone via USB Drive. If you like to know more, PM me!

[Rice_King]

Opalhort,

I am very happy to read that you were able to recover your system. I feel remorse that I may have given you bad advice when I said to reinstall the OS. I based my advice on the fact you stated that your Windows directory was gone and without a proper backup, your system was FUBAR. My apologies if my recommendation caused you undue stress or worry.

using ghosting software, does the destination drive have to have the same capacity as the source drive or is a destination drive with enough capacity for the USED portion of the source drive sufficient?

Ghost give you an option when you create an image. You can image the partition or you can image the complete drive. Whichever avenue you take, the destination will need to be equal to or greater than the source.

regarding ghosting software:

is DrvImagerXP 2.2 a reasonable choice?

I have never used DrvImager.

I currently use Drive Snapshot. I like the fact that it will image your OS drive (or any drive / partition) whilst in use and that it supports differential backups. Drive Snapshot is just a small executable file that requires no installation.

Whichever software you ultimately decide upon, please be sure to create a bootable recovery disk in the event of catastrophic failure.

[opalhort]

Opalhort,

I am very happy to read that you were able to recover your system. I feel remorse that I may have given you bad advice when I said to reinstall the OS. I based my advice on the fact you stated that your Windows directory was gone and without a proper backup, your system was FUBAR. My apologies if my recommendation caused you undue stress or worry.

Rice_King, please do not apologize for giving me some very sound advise. I also thought the OS was gone since I could not find the files/folders in the DIR. even the C:ATTRIB -H C:\\FILE did not work ---> file not found. I am very thankful for all the advise so many members have given me in the past in this forum.

anyway I would have done a new install only after having exhausted all other options.

I have quit a long time ago to suffer stress and worry when it comes to computers. These beasts have a mind of their own. All our data are safe on 3 different external locations backed-up daily. Our only problem is that we have some important programs for which we don't have installation CDs.

The problem PC still has a problem. I left it on over night on idle and this morning it did a re-boot on it's own, came to the WIN loading bar and re-booted again on it's own and then not even a video signal. Tried a few times after a rest period with same results. I'm now certain there is a hardware problem.

opalhort