SOS! I cannot enter Windows XP

PaulProteus

PaulProteus

PaulProteus

Associate
Joined
24 Dec 2004
Posts
458
Hello there,

I hope that someone can help me as I have to finish something tonight and all of a sudden my laptop will not let me enter Windows XP. I was playing with some files downloaded from Internet when my antivirus told me that one file was infected. I stopped immediately but next time when I tried to start windows I ended up being stuck at my wallpaper. No icons, not Win key working. I cannot even call the task manager by using Alt-Tab-Del.

I need to get some files from the hard drive (unfortunately Windows is in the same place as the rest so a new install will cause loss of data).

Can anyone advise me how to enter command prompt and try to copy something from there?

I am desperate as I need to travel tomorrow and I need several presentations from the hard drive.

Thank you very much in advance!

Cheers,
Paul:confused:
 
Backtrack 2 would allow you access to the hard drive from a bootable cd operating system. Files could then be copied to a usb stick. Also you can get adapters to attatch a 2.5" to a normal 3.5" ide cable....not much help though if you are needing tonight though :(
 
eXor said:
If you use a Linux LiveCD, you can access the hard disk and copy the files you need to a floppy / flash drive, or burn them to a CD, or upload them somewhere.
Click to expand...

Thanks eXor,

I am downloading it now. Should I follow the normal procedure for a bootable CD? I will try to copy the files onto a USB if that would be possible.

@Postman
I will try to find the Backtrack 2 as a second option and will post results (fingers crossed I would have some).

Thanks guys!

EDIT: I have just seen that both things you are talking about are in fict the same thing.
 
Last edited:
eXor said:
I don't know what burning software you use, so I can't comment on what constitutes "normal procedure". :p

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
Click to expand...
I will burn it on a CD (using Alcohol 120%) and then I will try it. Meanwhile I have managed to get into Windows via Safe mode and Restore. The problem is that Explorer.exe after being started from the task manager would be on for 10 secs and then would go off until I start it again.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? At least I should be able to save the files I need but I guess there will be systme re-build exresice first thing on Tuesday.
 
dun said:
Lesson: Don't look at untrusted pron on a computer with critical data on it.
Click to expand...

Lesson learnt, it was not pron :) it was some pocket pc application but ended up nontheless the same.

I have managed to save the day, thank you guys for the expert and very timely help!!!!

I will never ever again use my working laptop for doing similar things.

On the bright side, for the first time (and I can say not for the last) I discovered Linux. I am now considering building a machine to run Linux on a daily basis. It works a charm. Really enjoyed, I only wished if the cause were different. :)

Thanks again! This is a great place and it is worth every minute spent here.

Cheers,
Paul
 
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