Posted:
Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:38 amby Gecko
Does he have a Windows XP CD?
If so he can do a repair install keeping all of his data and programs.
He will have to reactivate windows and download all the update though.
Remember to make sure he has the current windows serial key before doing anything.
Posted:
Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:21 amby icecube
The easisest way to fix things would be to pull the hard drive and buy another one. Restore the O/S to the new drive using the restore disk and then hook up the old drive as a slave and harvest the data you need.
There are many different XP Cd's Home, Pro, OEM, upgrade,W/sp1, W/sp2. Your product key will not work if you have the wrong XP version.
Another thing you could do, is buy a USB hard drive case and put the problem drive in it and hook it up to a working PC. You might be lucky enough to get it back in workiing shape with a virus scan at that point. You should be able to harvest the data.