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#1
11-28-2004, 01:24 PM
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error loading OS_
"error loading operating system_" is a message I got when I tried to reboot my computer. I tried Esc., F2, F8 and they all endup at a back screen with the above message. I also tried rebooting with the hard drive unplugged. Once the OS was being loaded from the cd-rom I plugged in the HD but then the setup wanted me to re-format the HD. I backed out because I still would like to get a shot at my files.
Any ideas how to proceed? I am limping bad on an old HD and will try to check in later. Thanks all.... 
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#2
11-28-2004, 02:09 PM
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Sounds like a virus got your master boot file. There are some apps that allow you to re-write your MBT to the HD and save a corrupt drive (the Maxtor SW works well for this if you have a Maxtor drive.) Also, try hooking up the bad drive as a slave with your working drive and see if you can access your data at least. If you have a CD or DVD burner, at least you can retrieve the data and archive it even if you do end up having to re-format your HD. Sometimes you can re-load an OS without having to format the drive (the registry links for any SW will not be there anymore, but you'll keep access to your files.)
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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto 1983 300D - parts car 1979 300TD Auto - Parts car. 1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts. ========================= "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol
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#3
11-28-2004, 02:13 PM
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Assuming a critical failure of your existing hard drive, the best thing to do is to buy a new hard drive to install your OS on, then use your existing drive as a slave -- it's a very handy arrangement for doing backups as well. I did the very same thing a few years ago. Hard drives are cheap and it worked out well for me. Good luck.
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#4
11-30-2004, 10:27 AM
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thanks for your help. i'd like to enslave the drive but since this is on a laptop that's not feasable at this point. i'll probably have to find someone who would be able to get at it though. I have a couple of things on there that i have to retreive... any idea on how i could maybe re-install windows w/o reformating? i may not have enough room though. my old HD was pretty close to full - I was getting ready to burn a bunch of music which i just put on there....
in the mean time i am trying to straighten out the old HD and get iit ready for a total refurbish.... thanks again...
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#5
11-30-2004, 10:32 AM
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You can get the converter kits for laptop to IDE on ebay cheap. LMK if you want to borrow mine.
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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto 1983 300D - parts car 1979 300TD Auto - Parts car. 1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts. ========================= "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol
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#6
11-30-2004, 10:35 AM
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#7
11-30-2004, 10:50 AM
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wow, they do make such an animal? cool, will have to look into it. GStar, If not the above then that's what I'll have to do. I used a guy last year for similar thing but I think he was more then $50-$70.... we'll see Oh BTW, it's a freaking DELL... Last edited by mzsmbs; 11-30-2004 at 10:52 AM. Reason: just adding stuff
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#8
11-30-2004, 11:34 AM
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What OS is it? What model laptop is it? How many years old is the laptop?
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#9
11-30-2004, 11:44 AM
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I've had quite a few problems with it. This is a 3rd major crash since i got it. One of the other ones was because of virii but not the first and the last. I feel they were related to XP bugs...
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#10
11-30-2004, 11:52 AM
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#11
11-30-2004, 11:54 AM
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You need to boot the thing with an Emergency Boot disk and then check and see if you can access the hard drive. If, after booting with a floppy, you can access the hard drive from DOS prompt, you most likely got wacked by either a virus or you have corrupted sectors on your hard drive from a power surge. If on the other hand, you cannot access the drive from a DOS prompt, you have had a hardware failure and your hard drive is toast. Use this page to create a boot disk. You will need to find another computer running XP to do it:
http://www.computerhope.com/boot.htm
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#12
11-30-2004, 11:58 AM
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Also, forget the "slave drive" thing - that laptop will only take a single drive hard drive.
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#13
11-30-2004, 02:08 PM
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thanks, i'll try boot up disk in a bit. hopefully it will let me do it in D: (cd-rom; i have no flopy drive) Right now I am on my other HD running xp so that should be ok.
I really don't think it's HD failure because it did tell me there was a lot of files on it when i got to the reformat a couple days ago. (see above somewhere) The thing that worries me that i may not have anough memory to re-upload windows.... but i shall keep trying. have to look into dos commands it's been a while... hope i can burn data from dos.... i'll keep you posted...
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#14
11-30-2004, 02:22 PM
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#15
11-30-2004, 02:29 PM
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no. i used my sp1 cd from dell and was trying to boot up without the hd plugged in. when the cd started spinning i plugged the hd back in and that's when it went to reformat screen. it was trying to re-install OS because none was found.
if i just turn the computer on then it goes to the Windows loading screen for a few and then, no matter what, goes to the black screen with the error message; can't even get to bios to switch it to disk boot. eventually the cd comes on but nothing happens so i tried the above just to try it...
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