JeevesBond — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:24:13 +0000

Tried Knoppix and it's pretty good! Not as nice looking as Ubuntu. For data recovery though it seems like the best option though, there are loads of tools on that CD and it *should* (although I don't have Windows so couldn't try) automatically find your Windows drive and have a link to it on the desktop.

Let me know how well it works if you decide to use Knoppix, or whether you manage to recover XP some other way.

JeevesBond — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:11:44 +0000

Sorry, should have explained...

You download that CD image, burn it (so yes, you save postage), then you can boot from it and get a full Linux system without having to install anything. It won't mess with your computer at all, but you will be able to recover your work. Knoppix is a flavour of Linux that many people recommend for doing serious data recovery work.

I'm downloading Knoppix for myself ( ftp://sunsite.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/pub/Linux/knoppix/knoppix-cd/KNOPPIX_V5.0.1CD-2006-06-01-EN.iso ) as I only know it by reputation, I'll let you know how good it is.

A couple of things about Live CD's: -

Firstly they're slower than running an operating system from your hard drive, so the reason Knoppix isn't as fast as Windows is because it's running off the CD.
You're going to need to keep the CD in while Knoppix is running, so if you're backing up to CD you'll need two CD-ROMS: one to burn with, another to run Knoppix with.

If you want to play with Linux, and actually install it then get Ubuntu. Knoppix is best for hacking/fixing stuff, whereas Ubuntu is aimed at 'human beings' Ubuntu also do a Live CD, which you can boot from and test out without having to install anything. http://mirror.phy.olemiss.edu/mirror/ubuntu/dapper/ubuntu-6.06.1-desktop-i386.iso (I just picked a random US mirror, if you get any problems with that link go to: http://www.ubuntu.com/download and pick another one).

locatepeople — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 17:12:11 +0000

thanks for the info!

I'm going to need to install XP again I think. I'm looking on ebay for a recovery disc.

I liked the idea about installing linux and then backing up my files and then reinstalling XP?. What's this knopix thing though? Just a download I put on a CD, basically an OS downloaded and burned to avoid postage?

JeevesBond — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:59:30 +0000

You should have recieved a recovery CD along with the laptop. Windows XP on Dell machines is actually put onto a seperate, hidden partition on the hard drive. I formatted mine a while ago.

Anyway, you should be able to boot from that CD and reinstall Windows. If you get really stuck, get a Live CD like Knoppix ( http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html ). From there you'll be able to backup your data (as long as you have two CD drives: one to boot another to burn), then use the Dell CD to format and re-install. You should be able to get Internet access from the Live CD, so if you get any troubles with it, visit here.

Hope this helps!

demonhale — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:25:48 +0000

Safemode dont work? if not when the code appears take note of the last line that appears, it may have a corrupt driver and loading the driver causes xp to hang...

Find an XP repair disc, or borrow from a friend, this usually can solve a problem, if not remember your username and password and try to remove the hdd and install it another machine and try booting from there, if still not going right, slave it to another machine and try to open the hdd with the master xp installation so you can recover your files...