Saving files from a dead laptop

My W2K machine could not start because \Winnt\System32\Config\System is missing or corrupt

I have read numerous posts here and i have tried all the options including copying SYSTEM.ALT to SYSTEM, copying the SYSTEM backup from winnt\repair to \Winnt\System32\Config\System, etc. but nothing seems to work. There is no ERD.

I can access all the files and drives from recovery console. The laptop does not have any floppy drive or CDRW drive. Is there any other way I can recover at least some of the files on the laptop? I am in dire situation and need the files very urgently. I dont care if the laptop OS or the driver need reinstallation as long as I can recover some of the files.

Pls help

 

The only way you will be able to do it, may need the help of a technician. You will need to remove the drive from the laptop, and put it into a PC as a secondary drive. You will need a 3.5" to 2.5" connector as the laptop drive has different pins at the back than a PC hard disk. Once in a PC you will be able to access all the data and copy it from the disk to a new folder on the PC.

If the PC has a CDRW you could make a backup of your data and use the CD to restore it later. I wouldnt write a CD straight from the laptop drive though, i would copy the data to the PC first.

Alternatively you could do this while the drive is still in the PC

Copy the data off the LT drive to the PC hard disk
Format the LT hard disk
Copy your data back to the LT hard disk from the PC hard drive.
When running setup on the laptop later, leave file system intact and dont format.



Hope this helps.

 

ssa38 - a nice thing about forums like this is that someone will usually be familiar with a strange little utility that will do the urgent but odd jobs folks need. One that is free and that will allow you to pull off the files you need (and that Dez probably hasn't run across yet but most likely will take a look at when he reads this )

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntrecover.shtml

I know the name makes it sound like an NT4 utility but it works fine with any of the NT engine operating systems so 2K, XP, 2K3 all work well with it.

 

Interesting little util Newt. I certainly will give it a go next time it is useful. Amazing if you look hard enough, there is a util for everything. Closest thing i used like it is laplink, but this seems more functional.

Because i have 2 removeable drive bays, 1 with a 3.5 to 2.5" adapter, in my PC, it is simple for me to do it the way i described above, and i can also run virus scans with the latest updated Nortons, but for someone who does not have my equipment or enough knowledge to remove the hard disk from the laptop, which can be tricky, this may just be perfect. Thanks.

I love little programs that do big things. Another one for my collection

 

Another means you could resort to, if you have adequate disk free space, is to make a parallel installation of XP into its own folder. I'm presuming you have a cd-rom drive and the full MS version of the install CD disk.

BTW, is your file storage system NTFS or FAT32?? I'm sure you wouldn't be posting if it was FAT32 but I had to ask, just in case we got lucky.

Here's a link to MS instructions for a Parallel install.

 

Dez - you might want to give a look at all the stuff they have available. Outstanding utilities and rock solid code.

 

Thanks everyone

Thanks to every one who replied.

I finally used NTFS Reader.
Its a free download and worked like a charm for me. I downloaded a bootable ISO image for NTFS reader and then used ISO Recorder to burn a bootable CD. This boot CD allowed me to boot using CD drive and then also allowed me to copy files from the HDD to a USB flash drive by PNY technologies. I had to format the USB as a FAT using HP's Disk Format tool. The copied file names had funny names reminding me of DOS. But that was not an issue.

Thanks again!!

 

Glad you found a solution that worked for you and thanks for posting back with what you did.