XP goes blank on start up.

[Handy1]

I have a Dell CPi D300XT computer with P2 and 6.49gig IBM hard drive. When you boot, Windows XP starts to load, then the monitor goes blank and nothing else happens. At this point I loose Keyboard and mouse function. I can hear the drive spinning away but nothing on the screen. I know the cause. The power cord was accidentally kicked out while the unit was running. Now I'm praying someone has a cure as my whole life dwells within that hard drive.

I have tried the following items;

Booting in Safe Mode - Doesn't work. It goes through the long string of white writing and then stops.

Booting last known good config. - No luck

I bought this unit on e-bay and have no boot discs. I had to register via an 800 number and key code.

 

[wahnula]

Now I'm praying someone has a cure as my whole life dwells within that hard drive.

Handy1,

Calm down. At this point enter disaster file recovery mode. If that drive is failing you need to get the data off it and to someplace safe...fast. Don't try any XP tricks or hacks. If those files are important STOP USING THAT DRIVE IMMEDIATELY.

Get your hands on a working PC with 7 GB free space or buy a backup drive. Heck that could even be put on 2 DVDs. Connect your old drive to the new PC as IDE slave (I have a feeling it's not SATA but could be SCSI) and copy/burn/backup/image all your files ASAP. Then, you can start troubleshooting XP.

There's also a BartPE and Knoppix boot CD that can access and relocate those files but that requires a bit of tech finesse. The quick-copy on another machine is your best bet. Then you can go back to your old rig and try a repair install or whatever knowing your precious data is safe. If need be take the HDD to a local shop, should be a minimal charge to back it up. Report back.

Tony

 

[Handy1]

Thanks Tony,

I'll try that. Do I need a particular cable to connect between my desk top PC and the laptop or is there a way to go dirrectly to the drive?

Hank

 

[wahnula]

OOO...it's a laptop. Yes, there is a way to go directly to the drive, it is by CAREFULLY removing it (I believe with Dell the HDD is easily removed, single screw on the side}from the laptop, then CAREFULLY remove it from its cradle (usually 2-4 screws on the side) and place it in an external USB enclosure (around $10us):

http://www.directron.com/sbtesu25silver.html

Do this in a clean environment and a ground strap if you live in a dry climate, otherwise just touch something grounded occasionally. In humid Texas, I still have a static problem between my socks and my plastic chair mat. Still, removing the HDD and placing it in an external case is very easy.

Now you should be able to see the HDD in your desktop's BIOS and My Computer, copy away. I do not recommend the 2.5" to 3.5" IDE adapter, it costs about the same and is easily hooked up incorrectly. Cases are usually klutz-proof.

If removing the HDD is not in your plans, you can do magic with a BartPE CD, like move files around between networked PCs. It's its own OS on a CD.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

You will need your Windows CD and a working PC w/ CD burner to do this. Question: When you boot the laptop, and enter BIOS (F2 on a Dell I think but watch the screen for "press XX to enter BIOS"), can you see the disk drive?

Tony

PS mine is not the only approach, others may have different and better.

 

[Handy1]

Thanks again Tony,

I will try pulling the HDD Friday when I will have the time to stay with it, and if I can get that cradle you wrote of.

In answer to your question, The 1st start-up page displayed says DELL has the Bios ver. and performs what I believe is a memory check. the it goes to a screen with options,

safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt
last known good config
start windows normally

These options are prefaced by,

"We appologize for the inconvenience, but windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, Restarted unexpectedlly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose last known good config. to revert to the most recent setting that worked.

If a previouse startup attempt was interupted due to a power failure or because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose start windows normally."


No matter which option I try I get the same result,

Windows XP start-up screen for 15 or 20 secounds then blank screen and the wirrr of the HDD.

At no time do I recieve a prompt or option to enter BIOS or config mode.

I bet thats worse - Right?

Hank

 

[wahnula]

At no time do I recieve a prompt or option to enter BIOS or config mode.

You have to pass BIOS to get to the Windows screen. Look in your manual to see the magic key to press if there is no prompt. It's usually DEL or F2 but who knows with Dell. Start tapping the magic key (once you find out what it is) at boot and it should appear...but...if you are desperate for the data and plan on getting an external case and copying it over I would stop any attempts to repair until the data is secure.

Tony

 

[Handy1]

Hi Tony,

Well you were right. Upon looking at my laptop with my glasses ON I noticed "F1+Alt to enter setup" written right there on the keys. So back to your original question, Bios does see the HDD.

That seems good - right?

I know your right about waiting to try and secure my info but I'm just that much of a nerd that I can't keep my hands off it, what with it right there in front of me begging me to try.

Hank

 

[Handy1]

I tried to buy the cradle from the online link you provided but they are out of stock. I picked up an external usb hard drive case at radio shak. but it is usb 2.0 and the drivers wouldn't load to my 500 mhz pent III for some reason. So I'm sitting here at square 1 again. The local shop won't reload windows as I don't have the key code number that I got from Microsoft when I called them. It was some sort of deal where you don't get a disc but you call an 800 # with a code thats loaded, within 30 days of purchase and they give you a key code. I'm also afraid if I reload windows on top of whats there I may loose my data. WHAT A PICKLE!