how do you back up a computer that will not boot?

Question

My pc will not load windows. it goes to a black screen saying a windows file is either missing or corrupt. apparently i have to do a system recovery but need to back up the data first. How do i do that?

Answer 1

Take it to a repair shop or Geek Squad etc, and ask them to back up information onto another hard drive. That means they take out the comps drive and back it up onto another drive.

Answer 2

Try getting to your files through Safe Mode. If you are not familiar with it:

Turn your PC on or Restart. As soon as you see the black and white screen, press and hold the F8 key. Continue holding until you see a black and white menu. Safe Mode is F3 or F5.

Windows is not loaded.
Hopefully, you saved all files you created in My Documents.
Copy those you want to a floppy or flashdrive.

Now, I suggest you go for a Windows Repair. Here is some information on it. Take some time and review these.

*WindowsXP Repair Explained*
This is an excellent link. Explains every aspect of repairing Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

You may find your icons out of order. No biggee. Drag them back into place.

Answer 3

Use either a second hard drive or a big usb memory stick, then boot up with a live CD and copy the data across. If you have XP or NT you will need a live CD that reads NTFS.

HTH

Answer 4

You can reinstall windows. pop in your operating CD and in setup choose "keep current file system intact. do not format the drive. This will reinstall all the windows files but not touch the other data stored on your computer.Make sure you have the product key for your operating CD.

Answer 5

Try to start in safe mode.

To run in “Safe Mode” read:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406


If you get in to safe mode do a system restore to a time before the problem occurred.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084/

Use System Restore to Undo Changes if Problems Occur
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx


If this does not work and you can get into safe mode:

Start> Run> enter "sfc.exe /scannow" in the run box >
click OK
You will need the windows XP disk. This utility will check all system files against the disk and repair if needed.

If this does not work:

Repair install. (should not lose data) Backup files first.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/software/windows/xp/Repair.htm

Note: you can take the computer to a shop and they will be able to recover your data

Last option: You lose all data on the computer

Reformat and install. (Cleans drive loses all data)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx
http://www.whitecanyon.com/reformat-the-hard-drive-in-windows-xp.php
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/l0910/32l10/32l10.asp

Answer 6

Take it to the Geek Squad maybe they can help you out on your problem.GL.

Answer 7

dont think you can