How do you use a recovery cd?

[h792]

I'm sure this has been asked many times but having had my computer "recover from a serious error" without a solution from MS loads of times, it's now failed just saying after the "ergo" screen

"system32/config/system"

The last I ever saw of the computer was when it started to do a bulk memory dump which was interrupted by a low power supply.

Windows says I could repair by putting in the recovery CD but nothing comes up when I do that i'e' no new screen, nothing changes, just the black background and doesn't even get to the windows stage.

Any ideas? I've had 2 laptops fail after 2 heavy years use...

[NetworkGeezer]

It looks like the system hive of the registry has been corrupted. That's means you've lost most of the configuration of the Windows installation including application settings.

The best thing to do is to get all the user data off it and do a clean re-install. You can use Knoppix or Windows PE if you subscribe to school agreement or other Microsoft licensing scheme which has software assurance benefits.

You should also consider replacing the disk drive if you're get lots of failed reads.

[h792]

Thanks but what is PE? I tried to get the files off my hard disk using my ide to usb adaptor but while it does the "do DO" sound when plugged into a working laptop, a "e:" or whatever doesn't come up to actually "open" what's on the hard disk. I.E there's no icon in "my computer" Any ideas? Or is this yet another hard disk I have with data gone forever!!?

[Gatt]

Recovery CD - whats then then? :P

I just re-RIS the PC when that comes up - takes 5 mins

[h792]

What's re RIS!??!

[CyberNerd]

What's re RIS!??!

he means use Remote Installation Service to re-image the computer.
With windows its often faster to start from a fresh pre-configured install rather than fix the problem. IMO its faster still to do a disk to disk, I find RIS overrated.

[bossman]

Hirens boot disk version 8.1 fantastic tool to recover your data and then re-generate the bad sectors on the harddrive plus will format afterwards very simple to use but very effective.

[NetworkGeezer]

@Gatt
Remember we are talking about laptops. Data recovery must come before reimaging.

Unless your talking about RIS to bootup WinPE theny then it's bye bye data

@h792
Windows Pre-execution Enviroment is sort like a Windows XP live-CD.
It's basically hacked set up CD XP or 2003 (depending on version) so that it gives you the GUI portion without actually reinstalling CD.

This means unlike a Windows 98 Boot floppy you get TCPIP networking out of the box and access to USB drives etc. You also get write access to NTFS partition that is certified to work unlike Linux based boot CDs where you take your chances.

[CyberNerd]

You also get write access to NTFS partition that is certified to work unlike Linux based boot CDs where you take your chances.

hang on a moment...
The 'official' IBM Serverguide installation CD for all IBM servers is a linux based boot CD.
Don't be affraid of the penguin !

[NetworkGeezer]

I am talking few about NTFS write access. Yes there a few non-free (in both senses) solutions for Linux but the free ones are very much at your own risk, have good backups etc.

[ChrisH]

Dell are using Linux as their install manager for servers now as well.