Windows wont load

[mcam88]

when i start my computer windows wont load, it gets to the windows xp logo with the moving bar underneath but it never loads up windows. it looks like i have to reformat my computer, but theres some files i still need off the hard drive.

what should i do? and if i do need to reformat how would i go about recovering those files even though i cant access the desktop?

ive tried safe mode, and last good configuration but it didnt do anything.

[unlovedwarrior]

what window??

try a repair install

[M1CH431]

How to do a repair install

[mcam88]

tried that... it asks for and Admin password, i dont have one. i tried the few passwords i use and even tried not putting one in. i cant figure the password out.

[M1CH431]

Well then, here is another option. Download a Linux Live Cd like Knoppix and rescue the data you want. Then re-format it and don't put an Admin password on it when you re-install.
Tutorial to recover data using Knoppix Just read the page and use the recovering data part of it.

[Sid]

You could always put your hard-drive in another computer, and back the files up that way, and then format and re-install later.

[lil_falco]

You could always put your hard-drive in another computer, and back the files up that way, and then format and re-install later.

What I was about to say...

Also if you have your Windows install disc, you might try installing windows on a new partition and then once its working navigate to your files and burn em to a disc. Then you can reformat and install.

[Sid]

You could always put your hard-drive in another computer, and back the files up that way, and then format and re-install later.

What I was about to say...

Also if you have your Windows install disc, you might try installing windows on a new partition and then once its working navigate to your files and burn em to a disc. Then you can reformat and install.

Surely making it a slave, and reformatting it would be the easier option?

In essence, could you not, slave it, format it, and install windows on it while it was still slaved in another rig, or does windows HAVE to be put on the C: drive? ...Or was that just DOS?

Urgh, back to the 500 page A+ Essentials book for me...  Yay(!)

[unlovedwarrior]

windows can be put on any drive c is just the defualt

[soybean]

windows can be put on any drive c is just the defualt

Well, Win XP can, but not Win 9x.  Win 9x needs to be on C. 

[unlovedwarrior]

but they are using xp right??

[soybean]

Yes, but he said, "or does windows HAVE to be put on the C: drive? ...Or was that just DOS?".   I just thought it should be clarified; he seemed to be referring to all versions of Windows since DOS.

[Sid]

Yes, but he said, "or does windows HAVE to be put on the C: drive? ...Or was that just DOS?".   I just thought it should be clarified; he seemed to be referring to all versions of Windows since DOS.

Thought I remembered something about earlier versions of Windows having to be put on the C: partition.

And he has a name

Thanks for the clarification.

[unlovedwarrior]

my bad to young for alot of the older ones and remember where they need to be put

[patio]

Actually all versions of Windows no matter which drive/partition they are installed to still need to write certain files to C:\.

This is unavoidable for a system to operate properly.