error loading operating system

hey,

i run on windows xp, recently when rebooting the computer it came up 'error
loading operating system'.
i didn't make any system changes, the only thing i can think of is updating
to netframework 3.5 recently. i run on sp3. checked the BIOS and it still
shows the drive i have xp on...

curious to know if anyone knows why this happened, and if there is anyway of
fixing it without loosing the data on the harddisk that windows is installed
on.
thanks for the help!

matthew wrote:

hey,

i run on windows xp, recently when rebooting the computer it came up
'error loading operating system'.
i didn't make any system changes, the only thing i can think of is
updating
to netframework 3.5 recently. i run on sp3. checked the BIOS and it
still shows the drive i have xp on...

curious to know if anyone knows why this happened, and if there is anyway
of fixing it without loosing the data on the harddisk that windows is
installed on.
thanks for the help!

Windows isn't booted yet when you get that error so it is unlikely to be the
update to .Net that caused the issue.

If you haven't backed up that data yet, do so by booting the machine with
either a Live Live CD such as Knoppix or a Bart's PE and copying the data to
an external hard drive. Note: If you are unable to get the hard drive
mounted and seen in Linux/Bart's PE, the drive is almost certainly toast.

After your data is safe, test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility
downloaded from the drive mftr.'s website or use Seagate's SeaTools For DOS.
You will create a bootable CD with the file you download. You will need
third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero, or the free
ImgBurn. Burn as an image, not as data.

http://www.imgburn.com

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...ls/seatooldreg
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/cr...p?DocId=201271
(how-to)

Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails
any physical tests, replace it.

If the hard drive tests good, you can try a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install How-
To

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ