XP Repair

[scifiguy1]

Laptop will only boot to splash screen.
I have the System Recovery cds on hand.
I have booted into the recovery console which takes me into the C:\Windows\ dos prompt.
Now what do I do??
What do I type in to do a system repair.
The pc has many files on it that need to be saved.
I believe the hd is failing but need to try to fix it first.
Let me know how to do a system repair please.
Thanks all,
Dick

[trulad]

The best way is to choose install and windows will discover that XP is already installed and offer you the option of a fresh install or to repair the existing installation.
trulad

[mickzer]

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

mickzer.

[pam123]

Hold on a second.
Please tell us the make and model of that laptop before you do anything a repair install may not be possible for you depending on what you've got.
You're best bet may actually be using an adapter to get your data off of the hard drive before you buy another but you'll have to give us the necessary information and you really need to check the laptop's manual on using the recovery CDs.

[glc]

Pull the hard drive and use a USB adapter to get the files off before you try ANYTHING.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=2020&cat=HDD

[scifiguy1]

This is a HP Pavillion dv1000.
I think I will go with GLCs recommendation and purchase an adapter and get the files first.
I will check back in a few days and let you know how it`s going and we can proceed from there.
Dick

[scifiguy1]

Will this USB adapter work with Vista?
It says XP, but I wanted to double check first.
Dick

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by scifiguy1 Will this USB adapter work with Vista? It says XP, but I wanted to double check first. Dick

Yup, it'll work fine with Vista. I use the same adapter with Vista all the time.

[scifiguy1]

OK, I am going to order this part and retrieve all the files.
I also need to know where to get a new hd for this laptop.
I am currently looking at Pricewatch for what I need but could use some help.
Thanks,
Dick

[Panama Red]

dv1000 is a general series number. There should be a specific model number too. Use that on HP's support site to determine what the hdd is or pull the hdd and see what the interface is - IDE or sata. Post that info along with the Gb capacity and we can point you to the best deal at Newegg.

[scifiguy1]

Here is a link to the hd I need.
WOW, it is only OVER 500.00 dollars to replace off of their website.
What a deal!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi...plist_sval=ALL

Let me know what else you need to know.
Dick

I am going to say that I would like to replace with at least a 120gb.
This person puts a LOT of music on there.
Just for your info, the part number is PM054UA#ABA.
But it seems the last for digits (letters) are not necessary for identification.

[shadowpr]

I believe this would work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148130

[scifiguy1]

This does not show what the connection looks like.
I was reading some of the reviews and 1 of them said that you have to change the connector.
Is this correct??
I have never worked on a laptop before but that doesn`t stop me.
I have already d/l `ed the manual and I see how tho change out the harddrive.
Looks nice and simple.
I work on desktops.
Bigger and easier.
Let me know on this please.
Thanks,
Dick

[Panama Red]

The HP specs say it came originally with a 60Gb, 4200 rpm ide drive. Shadow has a nice option linked but I prefer this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148128

That will give you 20Gb more space and a nice perfomance boost with the 5400rpm vs the older 4200. All for $60 and free shipping. I keep that hdd in stock for quick laptop repairs. The hdd will most likely be mounted in a bracket and utilize an adapter on the power connector. If the power adapter is present, simply pull it straight off and install it on the new hdd. The bracket will most likely use the 4 screw holes on the side of the hdd for mounting. Very simple to change one.

[scifiguy1]

OK , Thanks PR.
That looks good.
The hdd install also looks to be pretty straightforward.
I am going to order the adapter that GLC suggested tonight and will have to do the backup first.
Then I am going to TRY a repair if the hdd is still good.
I have another question in line with this subject.
Do they have diagnostic software from the hdd makers website that I can d/l and use to check the hdd drive once I have it out???
This will be after I do the backup.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Dick

[mickzer]

Diagnostics:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

mickzer.

[glc]

Those links are 5 years old but they give you the idea. You probably will not be able to run them on a USB-connected drive, you will have to put the drive back in the laptop and boot it with the diagnostics CD.

[mickzer]

glc,
Is there a more up-to-date site similar to the one I posted?
I mean one that has all makes diagnostics.
BTW...Only some are 5 years old ....some have this years date.

mickzer.

[glc]

Not that I know of, but once you know the brand, just go to the manufacturer's website and get the latest version. The versions on the latest Ultimate Boot CD are usually updated enough to work fine.

[scifiguy1]

OK , I have ordered the adapter and will now wait for it to arrive and go from there.
Thanks for the links to the hdd diagnostics.
It will help me in the future as I work on stuff.
Check back later for updates.
Dick

[scifiguy1]

OK , I have a problem.
This is a Toshiba hdd.
I cannot find any diagnostic software for it from the maker.
I did find this .................

http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT

Is this going to work??
I have never used hdd diagnostic tools and could use some help in the right direction.
I found this through a link from another site.
This is the site and the page I got the link from.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1143500

Please let me know what you think.
Also I need help in how to use them.
Which program to d/l and how to use it effectively so I understand what I am doing.
Thanks for all the help so far also.
Dick

[Panama Red]

The Hitachi Drive Fitness test is about the only way to test a Toshiba hdd. I run it from the Ultimate Boot CD. If you download the UBCD and burn a disk, you won't have to deal with multiple disks for diagnostics. Everything you need to test hdd's, ram, cpu's and much more can be found on it.

[glc]

That's one reason I won't buy Toshiba notebook drives. Their end user support is nonexistent.

[scifiguy1]

OK folks we are at the next step.
I have the adapter hooked up to my pc.
I have the hdd hooked up to the adapter also.
How do I get the files off of it???
My pc has drives lettered all the way to "I".
I cannot see this drive anywhere.
Please get me pointed in the right direction.
When I initially plugged in the laptop hdd, the "Search" box opened up.
Now , where do I search?/
I am eagerly awaiting your reply.
Thanks ,
Dick

[Panama Red]

If it's not showing up in My Computer, Check in Disk Management and see if it's there. If it does show up in Disk Management and not in My Computer, chances are good that it has become corrupted and may be unrecoverable unless you have Data Recovery software.

[scifiguy1]

Thanks for the reply PR.
I got it fixed.
I had to hook up the hdd first to the adapter , then hook up to my pc via usb.
It is all good thanks to you guys and gals.
I am now going to backup everything to cd with a burner.
This is so cool learning about these things and being able to help people in the process.
I will get back to you later when I get finished with this project.
Thanks ,
Dick