computer only wants to start in safe mode

[crazybmanp]

this isn't like most other will only start in safe mode questions, as i have a windows xp professional that will only boot into safe mode AND i cannot log into safe mode.

i was called into my teachers room to help him with a computer problem.

whenever he started his computer; it would only start in safe mode, even if we selected run in normal mode.

as stated before, i cannot log into the computer, as it says that it "cannot login" and that there may be an error in the domain.

we cannot bring the computer to IT as it is going to be reset next week and he needs files off of it.

one question: would a portable OS be able to open the files on the HD?

[Slaander]

if you remove the hard drive out of the machine and hook up with a working xp or vista pc, it should read the files in the drive if they store locally at that machine and not at the network drive, but make sure you have latest anti virus program install before you plug in the drive, because is not normal basis when window boot up like the way you saying.

[crazybmanp]

as it is a computer that the school gave him, we cannot mutilate it by removing parts.

and yes, he had a virus, but his anti-virus told him how to remove it and he succesfully removed it, and confirmed with another virus scan. the only problem is that he had to boot into safe mode to do the fix and after that it wouldn't allow him to sign into safe mode and normal mode started not working.

[Slaander]

there is also a software can ERD commander which fixing window xp, but the software itself got bought by microsoft now, and I dont know you still able to obtain it.

and in the other hand there is another program by HP which format your usb stick and make them a bootable device, http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...reg_R1002_USEN


and use ntfs for dos which is freeware to copy file he needs
http://www.bootdisk.com/ntfs.htm
http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

[systempat]

It depends on what is needed at this point. If it is just to get access to the files and copy some of them, I would suggest putting a getting a bootable copy of Linux. Such as either a Live CD of Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS or else a bootable version on a USB drive. There are many that will fit on a 1 gb flash drive. And the Linux will be able to read FAT32 or NTFS partitions.
The problem is getting it to boot from the devices. You need to go into the BIOS and change the boot device order to be from CD first or from USB. Depending on the version of BIOS the PC has, there may be an additional option for changing the boot order on the fly it is a function-key F11 or F12 on my current PC.

[glc]

Removing a hard drive will not mutilate it - just unscrew it, take it out, recover the files on another computer, then reinstall the hard drive. I use that with a USB adapter as my primary means to recover files from an unbootable computer.

[crazybmanp]

to glc:
i know it will not "mutilate the drive" but neither me or him want to do anything that could mess up the computer because IT would get extremely mad at us.

to systempat:
this is exactly what i wanted to know, i have 1 might to locate and download the OS, does anyone know a portable linux that can be downloaded in less than an hour? like can Damn Small Linux do that?

[glc]

I would personally build a Ultimate Boot CD for Windows - boot with that, and recover the files onto an external USB drive or flash key.

www.ubcd4win.com

I'm not trying to brush off Linux, but the UBCD4WIN boots into a familiar XP interface and has a file manager that looks almost identical to Windows Explorer. All you need to build it is a generic XP CD and there's no licensing or activation to worry about.

[systempat]

Sounds like you may be downloading from a modem. Any cable or broadband connections should be in minutes rather than hours. The versions of Linux I'm familiar with (and I'm not claiming to be an expert here, still just playing around with Linux not using it every day) are Ubuntu 8 and PClinuxOS. These are both 'full-featured' versions with graphical interface and tools. These are in .iso form and are burned as an image to a CD.
There are versions designed to be used as a rescue tool for Windows or Linux installations. 2 such are Trinity Rescue kit and System Rescue CD. These have download sizes of 140-240 MB so might be better. I have not specifically used these, but they sound like something to try.

[crazybmanp]

actually i do have a highspeed modem, but i just am to impatient for a 4 hour download. lol

as for the ultimate boot cd i am on a vista system and my previous systems xp cd is a full driver-reset tool and does not just install windows so i am assuming it wont work.

i am comfortable using linux so i may try that. although are there any suggestions on the absolute best and easiest to get on a flashdrive and install to said flashdrive from inside windows.

PS: i have found out that the teachers computers will be ghosted on monday. if no one can figure it out by monday, it wont be the end of the world, but he will have to re-rip a set of music which took him 2 weeks to do while in school teaching.

[systempat]

It may be too late then but did not see your post until now. One or both of those rescue Linux packages talks about making a boot flashdrive as well as making a boot CD. Suggest you google the names and do a little research if interested.
I have a friend who is into the system tools like this and using a couple of flavors of Linux. I'll ask the question if I can reach him on the phone.

>>>Pat