Loop de loop

[obtc101]

Here goes,

 

Looking at a friends laptop with XP which was stuck in a loop, she desperately needs to keep some of the data on there so clean install out of question just now. Repair option is not available in the setup menu.

 

If it was a desktop I'd just pull the hard disk and use a slave on my machine, but I don't want to break open the laptop.

 

The config\system file was corrupt and I was receiving the normal message and prompted to repair, and the system was caught in a permanent loop.

 

Managed to boot from my own Xp pr OEM cd (she has lost her restore disk).

 

Managed to copy over some of the old system files from her penultimate restore point, using the recovery console.

 

Machine starts to boot....great. It hangs just after the windows logo. If I try safe mode, last known good config etc it just hangs as well. (safe mode hangs on mup.sys, although I know it isn't actually related to this file)

 

Other info, repair option is not available when trying to re-install windows. The recovery console now asks me for an admin password, which I do not even know. (it didn't ask for one before I copied over the system file)

 

I need to know whether there is any way I can access the hard drive and get the info off. Clean install after that isn't a problem.

 

Thanks for any help

[RandyL]

When you booted from your XP Pro OEM I assume you mean that you installed the Recovery Console and booted to that. Is that correct?

 

Have you tried the Recovery Console from here?

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/downloads/4255-windows-xp-recovery-console.html

 

To be honest it sounds like a Windows update has caused a problem. You might want to try a System Restore using the Recovery Console to before this happened.

[obtc101]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Using my windows cd, I was able to get into the recovery console, pressing r at the initial windows setup.

 

My only problem is that I can enter any commands because of the admin password issue. By following your step, are you saying it might be possible to re-sintall the console and access it without the password?

 

Sorry another question, if by some way I can access the recovery console what command would I use to restore to a restore point please. I know the number of the restore point I want which helps.

 

Many Thanks

 

Oliver

[BeeCeeBee]

Hello obtc,

 

Unless I am missing something we have a problem here. You are using a friends computer. You are now looking for a work around mainly because ordinary methods are unavailable to you because you lack a password. Your friend's password.

 

You see where I am going here?

 

Rule 5 - On the grounds that we are never able to validate the methods of acquisition of hardware and software and therefore the legal possession of said items we are unable to provide solutions to circumvent password protection on hardware or software, this also applies to password protected files.

Unless you can provide some basis to refute my conclusion I am afraid we will have to discontinue support on this issue. I will leave this thread open for now to afford you that opportunity.

[obtc101]

Sorry you've missed my point. An admin password has been introduced to the recovery console since I started working on it, meaning I can no longer use the recovery console itself. No password exists on the normal user accounts.

 

being more explicit, I am not trying to gain access to another person's computer.

 

Hello obtc,

 

Unless I am missing something we have a problem here. You are using a friends computer. You are now looking for a work around mainly because ordinary methods are unavailable to you because you lack a password. Your friend's password.

 

You see where I am going here?

 

Unless you can provide some basis to refute my conclusion I am afraid we will have to discontinue support on this issue. I will leave this thread open for now to afford you that opportunity.

[BeeCeeBee]

An admin password has been introduced to the recovery console since I started working on it,

 

I don't know how that can happen but all that proves is that I am not the person to help with this issue. :)

 

This thread will remain open for now. Please understand that I am in no way doubting your honesty. This is, however, open to the public and we have no control over who will use posted information or for what purpose.

[Goku]

Hello Obtc. You probably went a bit too far. Performing a repair install from an OEM disc replaces the registry hives which has result in the lockdown of the accounts. So, even if you do manage to boot into your computer, there is a high probability that the accounts will have been password protected too. Sorry to break the news to you. :(

 

I will try to search for an alternate solution though. :)

 

-- Goku

[obtc101]

Hi Goku,

 

Thanks for your reply, I see what you mean, and had feared that may be the case. I haven't been able to perform a repair install yet though, as the repair option wasn't available, I simply used the recovery console to try and get back some of the system files. Your point would make sense, even as a result.

 

I suppose I'm possibly looking for one of two things, activtaed system restore, without being able to go into the recovery console, or extract data from the HD.

 

Thanks again

 

Oliver

 

Hello Obtc. You probably went a bit too far. Performing a repair install from an OEM disc replaces the registry hives which has result in the lockdown of the accounts. So, even if you do manage to boot into your computer, there is a high probability that the accounts will have been password protected too. Sorry to break the news to you. :(

 

I will try to search for an alternate solution though. :)

 

-- Goku

[Goku]

Not all is lost though Obtc. You could use BartPE to salvage the data off the disc before you proceed with a clean install. Mind you, you will need a genuine disc for that as the OEM version of the disc will make only things worse.

 

Hope that helps. :)

 

-- Goku