Getting files off damaged XP drive....

Stky10

This is driving me demented.....

WinXP machine with files that I need to get off it if at all possible.

It was acting up for a day or two, so since I couldn't do anything with it
I tried the microsoft solution and rebooted, and its never come back.

Everytime I rebooted the machine it would get as far as 'Applying computer
settings' and never get no further than that. Eventually the machine would hang.

I then reinstalled XP again, but without wiping what was on it (the installation
deleted the windows directory and reinstalled in the same directory ). It took ages
as it took hours to get past the 'installing devices' part, then it would take
ages (1-2 hours) to get past certain stages of the installation. When it rebooted
though it again got as far as 'Applying computer settings' and again just never gets
past it. It doesn't seem to hang this time though.

I've tried Knoppix, and while it can see the usb drives attached, it cannot see the
disk. I've tried taking the disk out and using it as the second disk in another machine
but it has the new sata connections that are on Dell machines, and they dont seem to
daisy-chain. So I connected the disk to the only available SATA port on the motherboard
and rebooted, but it can't see the disk.

I've tried the windows recovery console, but it takes ages to bring up the black screen that
heralds the command prompt being shown and then it hangs.

Anyone any ideas?. I'm going to try another linux live cd and see if that has any better luck
but I'm not too hopeful.

SwampThing

The fact that it get's to a particular point in the boot process is encouraging enough.
I'd recommend hanging in there with trying to get it working as a slave drive for a while longer. Try it in a mates PC and see if you've any luck there.
If you've no joy, there are companies that specialise in recovering data from failed drives. I think they may take the platters out and pop them in a working chassis. It's not a cheap option but if the data's very important, it may be your only hope.

Good luck.

zAbbo

try a linux live cd, knoppix/ubuntu

this has been mentioned before

Capt'n Midnight

You might need some switches with Knoppix eg: Dell GX280 + Knoppix 3.7

Boot up with 2.4 kernel (ie. press enter) -it initialises some hw or somesuch
then reboot and use 2.6 Kernel -it's got SATA drivers but sometimes hangs on cold boot ie. if the previous boot isn't 2.4 or XP
KNOPPIX26 ASPI=OFF

other switches to try ATAPICD NODMA (NODPM?)
probably irrevelant NOAUDIO NOPCMCIA NOFIREWIRE

kenmc

also if I'm not mistaken, sata drives show up as /dev/sdXN in knoppix rather than /dev/hdX where X = a, b, c etc and N = 0, 1, 2...

vibe666

if you're in dublin, maplins (and probably peats too) do a USB to IDE cable set, which might get you there. that way you can be fully booted into another PC then just plug it in. if the drive is working you should be in.

not sure of the price, and it's a lot cheaper off ebay, but if you're stuck for time...