Can't get into windows - help!

[beamer]

I've gone done a bit of a boo-boo and deleted a reasonably serious .dll file and can't get windows (XP Home Ed) to start. I'm gonna do a clean install at the weekend, however if at all possible I wouldn't mind the opportunity to copy nearly 30 gig of music to CD (and a couple of movies) before I do this.
I know, I know - shoulda backed-up to CD in the first place, but i didn't.

Can anyone suggest a way of getting into windows (even partially) so i can grab the files i need before reinstalling the OS?

[LeMarchand]

Can you get it to Boot into "Safe Mode"? (Usually by tapping F8 during boot up). If so, you may be able to get to your files.

If you know the missing dll file and where it goes, you may also be able to get it from the net (you'll have to use another computer) or possibly a disc and put it back in place if you can access "safe mode".

If not, if no-one comes up with a better solution, you could find a reasonably computer savvy friend willing to connect your HDD to his/hers and try to back up your files that way. Another option would be to get a new hard drive, and set it to "master", and your old hard drive to "slave". Install the OS on the new drive, and I'm fairly sure that you should be able to access files on the other disc - it may be necessary to check the security settings on the "old" disc once you can see it and possibly "take ownership" of the disc (in the security settings if you right-click). Never tried this, so it may not work - I've got to try to recover some files that way soon, but have a load of higher priority stuff to do first!

[stevie21]

Do you have any floppies that are saved as boot discs? A few progs I've used have suggested that I create these (one antivirus, one partition prog). If so then you can boot to DOS and copy this dll file from another floppy to wherever it should go on your hard drive (HD) : this hinges on acquiring the dll from elsewhere and knowing where it goes. This is by far the trickiest solution.

Failing that, there's the safe mode option but you seem to rule this out by saying XP won't start. This would possibly be the simplest solution if it worked.

Or, plug your HD into someone else's PC as a slave drive - they can then browse your hard drive and backup your files to CD/DVD. This is one of the simpler solutions - if you cared enough to save the data, you could post it to me and I'll do this. This'd be the first thing I'd do to fix this.

Or plug another HD into yours as master and this 30GB of music one as slave - LeMarchand outlines this and it is possible to do and relatively straightforward if you know how (actually - it's still easy if you don't already know how!). You'd need to install XP on this new HD once its in your PC and then browse your "old" hard drive. This would be simple but really time consuming and my last resort here.

[david small]

if you have the system disk insert it re-boot with cd enabled in the bios. select repair windows and sit and watch the screen. there is no need to loose your mp3s. there are several way to get them. don't do anything hasty. I hope you have a windows xp instalation disk???

[beamer]

Many thanks guys, all usefull advice.

Tried booting from the installation disk last night and running repair and got an unpleasant message along the lines of the HDD having some kind of irreversible error. Not good news.

Unfortunately no floppies saved as boot disks.

From what you say I think the easiest option for me is the "slave drive" route. A collegue has said i can bring the hard drive into work and he'll save everything to DVD for me.

Thanks for your help! I was having trouble coping with the prospect of losing all my music!!!