BSOD - unable to access OS - need to get at data

[Morgy]

XP Home Edition

Dell Dimension 9150 - 6 yrs old - twin 160GB SATA HD

Switched off - noticed message saying 'new program installed' - but only saw this too late, as I clicked to shut down.

Switched on - BIOS bar completes - Windows logo appears with blue bar running for what seems to be normal time; then blank screen and, after short period, BSOD.

Forced shutdown and restart - tried all options available from F12 and F8 - ie., Safe Mode also ends in BSOD

Tried diagnostics by booting to Utility - this runs OK and everything reported as OK. Tried this twice since didn't believe no problem.

 

Error messages:-

STOP: 0 X 000000C2

0 X 00000043

0 X DACDC000 ------ this last error message varies slightly at each trial restart - but same format of all letters.

 

Have tried repair ® option by booting to CD ROM using OS Disc supplied with machine; but just ends up with BSOD as before with error messages as above.

 

I need to get my data off HDs - and don't care about programs as I have originals. If necessary I'll put new HDs back in machine.

I was contemplating buying a hard disk copy console and connecting to my laptop - but not sure if this will work since I can't access the OS on the HD. I've seen several advertised but unsure of which - if any - would allow me to retrieve data.

 

I'll be buying a remote HDD for backup asap!

 

Many thanks for reading.

[KenB]

Hi Morgy and welcome to ExTS

 

I need to get my data off HDs

It may be possible to access your data using either a hard drive to USB adapter or an enclosure ( caddy ) that also connects to the USB port of your laptop.

 

click here ( adapter )

 

click here ( enclosure )

 

Your hard drive is 3.5 inch if it is a desktop drive ( laptops are 2.5 inch )

 

Once you get the drive connected to your laptop you treat it as if it was a memory stick ( ignore the fact that it has an operating system on it )

You should be able to access it and retrieve your data.

 

It is also possible to run a couple of checks on the drive from here too.

[Morgy]

Many thanks for that KenB - will get one now; and report back.

Kind Regards

Peter.

 

 

Edited by Plastic Nev.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Peter, I have removed your surname to help maintain your personal privacy and internet safety. Various bots and trolls search for this sort of information, they then connect through internet searches and other means to your E Mail address, and may even get to your full address where you live. At best, the next thing you know is a mailbox full of spam, at worst cash missing from your bank accounts.

 

Nev.

[Morgy]

Tried to reply earlier today - but not sure if I sent correctly. I'll try briefly again - apologies if you get this twice:-

Bought a USB adapter to access disks - but having a problem accessing the data. I'm using my Dell Laptop running Windows 7 connected to the adapter. In Device Manager I can see the disk, but it shows the volume as zero. Opening up 'my computer' and trying to access drive for adapter I get message --- 'drive not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognised file system.' When trying to access the disk the User Account icon popped up and kept flashing. Brief research on the Web suggests that I may need to change my User Account settings to enable me to access the disk. I've never had need to alter the User Account so don't fancy adjusting settings in case I upset the laptop. Would be grateful for any ideas on problem in accessing data. Might it have something to do with the fact that the disks I need to access have RAID format?

Many thanks for reading

[KenB]

Hi,

 

The adapter you bought - is it mains powered or USB ?

If USB - does it have the option of 2 USB connections for power ?

 

In Device Manager I can see the disk, but it shows the volume as zero

You should see the disk as "Disk 1" with the total size in GB below. It should also show the partition(s) to the right of this saying something like "NTFS" - "Healthy"

 

When you say the volume is zero - are you referring to the disk size in GB ?

If this is the case information from the disk cannot be read and the disk may have a corrupt file structure.

 

I don't think it is anything to do with the User Account on your laptop.

 

=================

 

You could try booting from a Linux DVD / CD to see if you can access the files from there.

 

Linux Mint is a free - disk-based operating system ( totally different from Windows )

You will need to download either the DVD or CD ( cut-down) version to your desktop then click on the ISO file to burn it to DVD / CD

( select 32 or 64 bit depending on what is on your laptop )

 

Once the disk is burnt simply install it into the drive and shut the machine down.

 

Start up and the DVD / CD should start Linux.

 

Use the Default "Start Linux Mint" and the OS will be ready to use in a few minutes.

It is NOT installed at this stage - NOTE ........you do not want to install it.

 

Once it is up-and-running take a look around and see if you can locate the files on the external hard drive.

 

It is available here

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

There is also a User Guide ( the first part is confusing and can be ignored )

I would refer to page 21 onwards - if you need to.

[Morgy]

Think I got this the wrong way around but some exciting success.

 

I loaded Linux Mint on DVD onto the Desktop which has the Windows fault - booted up and hey presto; I can see everything on the hard drives and read my data http://extremetechsupport.com/images/icons/icon7.png. I did not install Linux.

 

I think you had meant for me to load the DVD with Linux Mint onto the working laptop and access the desktop HDDs from the caddy http://extremetechsupport.com/images/icons/icon11.png. The caddy has a its own power supply.

 

I'm now almost afraid to turn-off the desktop having got this far. I'm presently trying copy my data onto DVDs using the desktop - but keep getting failures, apparently because of the length of some file names. I'm about to read the Linux User Guide so might have more success after that. It's a great learning experience!

 

Next I'll load Linux Mint onto the laptop and try accessing HDDs from caddy; might it be possible then to 'move' files from the Linux window into MS Windows.

 

Interestingly, on the desktop I can see the Dell Restore program - any idea if it would be possible to run this from Linux? I'm afraid to try in case I mess things up.

 

Many thanks for all the advice.

Peter

[Morgy]

ALL IS WELL

Using Linux Mint and external HDD drive I've retrieved all of my data off the desktop.

Next, I'll fiddle about and see if I can find out what's wrong on the desktop - might learn something in the process.

Many thanks everybody.

Might even become a Linux convert!

Will keep in touch.

Kind Regards

Peter

[Armageddon]

ALL IS WELL

Using Linux Mint and external HDD drive I've retrieved all of my data off the desktop.

Next, I'll fiddle about and see if I can find out what's wrong on the desktop - might learn something in the process.

Many thanks everybody.

Might even become a Linux convert!

Will keep in touch.

Kind Regards

Peter

 

Am glad things have worked out well Peter , I triple boot Windows and 2 versions of Linux Mint been one of them.

 

Dave