1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

WinXP Pro SP2- deleted files recovery w/o booting Windows?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Sduibek, 2009/06/07.

  1. 2009/06/07
    Sduibek

    Sduibek Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2008/09/10
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi,

    I have a situation where a large number of files were deleted, many of them unfortunately system files. Now the system will not boot because NTLDR is missing. I have found various Data Recovery type programs / utilities online but none of them, that I saw, explicitly stated that they can boot and run the file recovory process(es)
    standalone.

    I want to avoid doing a Repair Install unless absolutely 100% necessary, and unfortunately I obviously cannot run System Restore (yet) since it's a no-boot situation.


    What program/utility/etc can do this?
     
    Last edited: 2009/06/07
    Sduibek,
    #1
  2. 2009/06/07
    jpChris

    jpChris Inactive

    Joined:
    2003/09/21
    Messages:
    1,062
    Likes Received:
    9
    Hi Sduibek,

    A couple of things:

    1) Do you have the XP Pro disk? You may have to do a Repair.

    2) Is there any way you can hookup the munged drive to another computer and scan for viruses and other bugs? If it is a virus or other malware, a repair may not do any good as you'll still have the nasties on the drive.
     
    jpChris,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2009/06/07
    Sduibek

    Sduibek Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2008/09/10
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    It was not anything nasty, the files were actually deleted by myself en masse by mistake (woohoo! don't ask.)

    EDIT: Sorry and yes I have a WinXP Pro SP2 disc, a WinXP Pro DELL (no SP) Reinstallation disc, and a WinXP Pro SP3 disc :D
     
    Sduibek,
    #3
  5. 2009/06/07
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,919
    Likes Received:
    511
    Hi Sduibek. Follow these steps:

    1. When the computer boots press F8 on startup to bring up the advanced boot options menu. Try selecting Safe Mode from the list.
    2. If the computer still won't boot then press F8 again but this time instead of selecting Safe Mode select Last Known Good Configuration.
    3. If the computer still won't startup then boot from your Windows XP SP3 CD since it looks like you are going to have to use the Windows XP CD to repair the installation.
    4. Boot from the Windows XP CD and when setup has finished loading press R to open the recovery console.
    5. When the recovery console opens it will ask you which windows installation you want to repair.
    6. Type 1 and press enter.
    7. After that it will ask you to type the administrator password. If you don't have a password leave it blank and press enter otherwise type it in.
    8. After thats done type chkdsk /r and press enter. The process will take a while. Let me know if it finds any corrupted Windows files.
    9. After check disk has finished type exit to quit the recovery console. Then press F3 to quit Wnidows setup. See if the computer will boot normally now.
    10. If the computer does not boot up successfully then boot from the Windows XP CD again and and go back into the recovery console.
    11. Enter the command fixboot and press enter.
    12. Enter the command fixmbr and press enter.
    13. Quit setup again and attempt to boot the computer.
    14. If the computer still fails to boot then Perform a Repair Install.

    Let me know if your computer boots up after performing the above steps. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #4

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...