Help with recovery!!

[langleyl]

Entered a thread earlier about computer not being able to get past the error message: load needed dlls for kernel . Since no one has suggested a fix for this I can only assume that my next options are the Recovery Module or re-installing WinXP Pro. I don't have a Recovery Module disk. There are quite a few critical (taxes, personal finances) files on this computer that I would like to save if at all possible.
I've tried consulting MS Knowledge Base for the re-install, the process they show involves an option that I'm not getting in real time: Press R to re-install Windows XP . This isn't an option on my menu. I can install, activate Recovery Module, or exit.
This computer is running WinXP with fairly recent components so there isn't a hardware compatibility issue. It has run just fine for the last year.
Can I make a Recovery Module disk from a different computer (different motherboard, but both Solteks) and what steps are involved in the actual recovery?
Can I re-install WinXP Pro and keep my files intact without losing (much) data by hitting the Leave the current file system intact (no changes)?
HELP!! Thanks!!

 

[wolluf]

Can I re-install WinXP Pro and keep my files intact without losing (much) data

Yes - if you use repair reinstall option -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

(if its available - the CD setup will need to find the existing installation).

There's a Recovery Console -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654

(not heard of recovery module) - but as you can see you just need an XP install CD to run it (or failing that, the 6 boot floppy set - available from

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm.

If your files are in \windows (or subfolder) or the root of C: you can access them from here.

If this no good - there's always the option to connect the drive as a slave in another machine and copy off important files (then wipe & reinstall).

If fat32 filestore, a win98 boot floppy will get you access to it (see same site as above for one). If ntfs, boot disk with

http://www.sysinternals.com

free ntfsdos software will give you read access to it.

hth