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Lost system HDD = Running under Linux Rescue

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Dennis L, 2006/10/31.

  1. 2006/10/31
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    Running under Linux Rescue - keyboard map is limited - not correctly mapped. Have not been able to locate all the correct keys.
    ======================================================

    Last night my XP system HDD went down hard. The dreaded, can not mount drive, followed my numerious sector errors. Currently I am running my computer under Linux, KDE version 3.3.1 from my DVD/CD drive.
    LInux has recognized system HHD and 3x optical drives, USB attached HDD and network attached w98 HDD which puts me rock solid on document backup. Acually the only data which was not backup to external drive was pictures I had just transfered to my system HDD. Using Linux, I copied them to w98 network drive.

    QUESTION ONE
    Can I copy / write files to external drive under Linux and have them read by Windows at a later date. This is why I moved above pictures via network to w98 HHD until this is confirmed.

    QUESTION TWO
    I have GoBack installed on bad system HHD. This is blocking my ability to get at Safe Mode during system boot. What can I do via Linux to attempt any HDD scan / repair.

    QUESTION THREE
    This is where it gets messy. I have licensed XP Pro with CD disk for this computer. About 16 months ago when I lost MOBO and it corrupted the HDD, my local builder of this computer accidently installed XP Home with licensing.... but NO CD disk. Can I use XP Pro CD disk to rescue my XP Home. Just to add to the problem, my builder went through a divorce and no longer lives in area.

    OVERVIEW
    My current system is 4 years old. The kids w98 is ancient. It would appear I am at ground zero in configuring this computer. My thoughts are putting a new drive in this computer, fresh install using my copy of XP Pro and configure for the kids. Then get a new computer for myself and start over.
     
    Dennis L,
    #1
  2. 2006/11/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    1. yes, no problem.
    2. download a Knoppix live cd and keyboard should map correctly.

    2.a. Try this:
    Start the computer, and then immediately press and hold down the Ctrl+Alt+G keys.
    A message will appear that gives you the option to force the removal of GoBack from the master boot record. Note that some computers require that you hold down the Ctrl+Alt keys while rapidly tapping the G key.
    Press F to force the removal of GoBack from the master boot record.
    reboot & try safe mode.

    2.b. or this:
    How to remove changes that GoBack makes to the boot sector and partition tables of a computer
    Create a Windows Startup disk under Windows 98/Me. For more information, see the document How to create a Windows Startup disk.
    Copy the Gb_prog.exe file to the Windows Startup disk. If there is not enough room to copy Gb_prog.exe to the Windows Startup disk, then copy Gb_prog.exe to a separate floppy disk.
    !!!DISCONNECT EXTERNAL DRIVES!!!
    On the computer that you want to remove the GoBack changes from, insert the Windows Startup disk and then start the computer. The computer has finished starting when you see an A:\> prompt and a blinking cursor.
    Insert the disk that has the Gb_prog.exe file.
    Type gb_prog.exe /u and then press Enter.
    When finished (can take a long time), reboot & try safe mode.

    2.c. If no joy, go to Overview.
     
    TonyT,
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  4. 2006/11/01
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    THANKS for the advice TonyT

    The Linux I am using was through SLAX. A free download I burned to a CD many months ago. Changed Keyboard map to US English, works fine. FIrst time I've experienced Linux ... was impressed. Just dropped it in CD player and it did the rest. It has provided reads/writes/copy to all local, external, network and optical drives. It also included internet connectivity, Browser and a boatload of apps.

    Per your GoBack instructions .....
    I am using Roxio version 3.0 / 3.2 (??).
    Are your instructions generic for both Roxio and Symantec versions?

    If instructions are successfull, has this completely removed GoBack?

    Thanks TonyT
     
    Dennis L,
    #3
  5. 2006/11/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Most live linux distros can use special boot parameters such as $toram, meaning load everything into ram right away. Press F3 at rthe prompt for these options.

    As for goback, I grabbed that info via google. I never have nor will use something like goback.
     
    TonyT,
    #4

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