Windows 2000 Pro won't load, Dos command only

[sonvaz]

My computer goes to DOS  at the command line and won't
start Windows 2000 Pro.  At first what happened is a blue screen with a
message about how it was unable to access the drive ?
I used a bootdisk to see if I could load from there, and now I'm able
to access the C command line and that's it. 

My PC is a Dell Latitude C610 w/ Windows 2K Pro installed.

Is there some way I can load Windows from DOS?  I tried one command
and I received a message saying that it had bypassed the startup files.

It's also possible that a registry cleaner I used before restarting the computer
could have erased something important. 

Thanks and regards
Sonia

[unlovedwarrior]

you have what we call the blue screen of death (bsod)

when did this start??

have you made any changes to the system? hardware software??

[GX1_Man]

UW, he already said he used a registry cleaner. Unfortunately he did not say what. Some are a recipe for disaster.

The exact error message is important.

Make sure the hard drive is securely fitted if it is removable from the outside of the computer.

Do you have a real Windows CD, a Dell restore CD or what to work with?

Do you see the Windows logo before the error message?

The boot disk is not going to be particularly helpful except we know that the machine will boot from the CD drive and it may have functional hardware.

More info is always helpful.

[unlovedwarrior]

UW, he already said he used a registry cleaner. Unfortunately he did not say what. Some are a recipe for disaster.

im confused when did i ask about a register cleaner or did the posterr post somewhere else to??

[sonvaz]

I used either Eusing or ToniArts(sp?) registry cleaner.  Unfortunately
I didn't write down the blue screen message, after I used the bootdisk
I put in a command, I think it was sys c, for the PC to load from the hard disk.

The next time I restarted it instead of the blue screen I had the black
command screen. 

I don't have a restore CD but I might be able to find one.

I might have downloaded a new firewall also, Kerio but I don't think it was
installed yet. 

I'm really concerned about the data on the hard drive, I have family
photos I never uploaded  online so I'm really hoping I can at least
retrieve that. 

Sonia

[unlovedwarrior]

Eusing, i use this one..

if its desktop then just slave it to another computer and see if you can get the data you want..

you dont have ant-virus or anti-malware on this computer??

[sonvaz]

No, it's a laptop, does slave to another computer mean using the hard disk
on another one?  We have a desktop also but I have no idea how to go about that. 

I did have antivirus software , I took it off in the plans of installing a new
better one, and didn't in time it seems... I did do a command of dir c:
in dos and looks like at least some of it's there although I don't know
what I'm doing in dos. 

[soybean]

I've also used Eusing and had no problem with it.

You might get an external enclosure for a 2.5 inch hard drive, put your laptop drive in it, and then connect it to your desktop computer, assuming you have USB on your desktop. 

Here's one: iMicro IMBS25A-SI Aluminum 2.5" USB 2.0 External Enclosure - Retail 

[GX1_Man]

have you made any changes to the system? hardware software??

[sonvaz]

I'll look into the hookup for the desktop thanks, as far as
any hardware/software changes, no hardware changes.  I installed software
from kworkshop.com recently.  I also uninstalled some I don't remember.

I don't remember what the blue screen message said but it was something
about how it couldn't access my hard drive.  I was thinking maybe
whatever accesses the hard drive is not enabled?  I can't log into
safe mode at all.  The last time I restarted it I did see the Windows logo
come up for a second before the dos screen came up again. 

[patio]

I've also used Eusing and had no problem with it.

You might get an external enclosure for a 2.5 inch hard drive, put your laptop drive in it, and then connect it to your desktop computer, assuming you have USB on your desktop. 

Here's one: iMicro IMBS25A-SI Aluminum 2.5" USB 2.0 External Enclosure - Retail 

I'm amazed at the pricing on that soybean...i paid 7 bucks for just the 2.5" to IDE adapter cable just 2 months ago.

Nice find.

[sonvaz]

I'll be getting that external hard drive holder, thanks Soybean : )