Help - computer's crashed!

[bigbadmum]

My computer crashed during a power-cut and now I can't get into it. When I re-start it, the screen says 'floppy diskette seek failure. Strike F1 to continue, F2 to run set-up facility.' When I press F1, the Safe Mode menu appears, when I press any of the safe mode options, the screen then says 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: system32\DRIVERS\isapnp.sys' When I press the F2 button and re-set the computer to the factory settings menu and re-start it, the same thing happens again! Is anyone able to help - please! - my university work is on there amongst other things!!

[tali1]

"You have to use Recovery Console on your windows CD or if that fails try performing a Repair Install of Windows XP. This will reinstall Windows without erasing any of your data. You will, however, need to reinstall most programs." - that's what i've found online - whether it works is dificult to say as the prob sounds nasty and complex

[ACtheTROLL]

if you can't sort it ... don't panic

BEFORE you get too drastic you need something like the knoppix boot disc
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-e n.html

boot from that ... and you'll be able to access your documents and copy them to usb (if they are still there

then
you need a couple of usb memory sticks and backup to each one at the end of every day.

if no joy
when you get back get the computer department to help you recover

be aware
reinstalling could well clear the documents folder

[bigbadmum]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Because I bought the computer second-hand (a reconditioned one from a local computer business), I wasn't given any Windows disks with it, so the web-site address may be useful (although it looked a bit complicated when I visited it!). I'll give it a try, as I am having to use my daughter's computer when I can get access to it (hence the delay in my reply!). Thanks again.