ALIM1541.SYS problem, computer wont start!

[erick_p]

Hello,

SYSTEM: I have a Toshiba satellite laptop from 2002 with Windows XP Home. All patched up, latest Windows updates. Zone Alarm, AVG. Clean and no viruses or worms. Only the CD-ROM was not working.

PROBLEM: Now, suddenly, it just doesn't start. The boot process gets stuck at ALIM1541.SYS and neither safe mode not normal mode reboots. As my CD-ROM is not working I have not tried the Recovery Console, but that's lucky because a hardware friend told me that would have wiped out all my data files too.

Google returns some sites for my search, but they are only visible through Google cache ( for e.g., 1: http://snipurl.com/hczb or 2: http://snipurl.com/hczg ). I would sincerely appreciate some ideas, I just need my data back, no worries about Windows etc.

I am even willing to consider options like these:

(1) Extract the hard disk and somehow just retrieve data from my current laptop's hard disk. How would I do this?

(2) Or, install Linux on the current laptop (or some other older Windows OS?) and then try to read the hard disk from there, and retrieve important files.

Is any of above possible? Thanks so much in advance!

Panic-fully,
.ep

[macko72]

For (1) http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/op/formIn25-c.html it's possible to buy size reduction from new egg or someone similar if GLC reads this he will tell you where to buy it!
For (2) http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Main_Page it runs from CD

or you can try repair install and it will NOT destroy your data if you folow this guide: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm