Is this possible?

(ST)Pohaku · 18 Jan 2011 at 19:57

Problem:

Trying to fix a friend's kid's netbook, which apparently became riddled with malware and when he ran an AVG scan, the subsequent reboot failed to properly load Windows. (Windows XP)

It POSTs, it gets to the Windows loading screen with the scrolling blue bar, then black screen and auto-restart. I can get into the F8 menu, but Safe Mode (and variations) all do exactly the same. Safe mode lists a lot of drivers as they are loaded, but then stops and restarts.

I suspect the netbook originally came with advice to create a recovery disc, but (a) this wasn't done, and (b) it has no disc drive.

My questions are these:

1) Can one download a set of recovery files to use as a boot-from-USB, to save the machine? It has the WinXP product label with key on the underside.

2) Failing that - I have an old copy of WinXP with product key, that was the O/S on an old (now dismantled) PC. Can I somehow create a bootable USB from this and use it to recover the netbook?

The machine is an eMachines 250-01G16i.

Any advice very much appreciated!

BloodyL · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:15

You can create a USB bootdisk, the information is in the windows forum somewhere, but right now my main concern is the media you will be creating the USB disc from.

Check your WinXP disc, is it a retail copy or an OEM copy, if it retail you will need to track down an OEM version.

(ST)Pohaku · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:31

It is a retail copy.

I have found a guide on creating a bootable USB by using the XP installation disc - is this likely to work? I was thinking I could select the '(R)epair Installation' option, that I think comes up when XP disc is inserted?

Thanks for the response so far!

BloodyL · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:43

That's actually quite a good idea, I'd have never thought about that.
The USB disc can be created using either OEM or retail versions, I just wanted to make sure the key and disc matched up in case you wanted to do a complete re-install.
G'luck!

(ST)Pohaku · 18 Jan 2011 at 21:35

I'll update the thread with the result - but decided to sack the USB boot idea, and wait until I can borrow a USB CD drive from work.

Not getting anywhere with creating a bootable USB, all the guides I can find are either outdated (dead download links for required files) or written for people who know more than I do about programming.

Cheers, Poh.