My computer won't load Windows... please help

Didn't mean to step on you. Maybe you should put the Knoppix post with the "How to run System Restore on ME" post. Knoppix can be a lifesaver, but it seems that so few know about it.

I don't know if I will have access to a CD burner in order to burn this disc.

Is there a DOS command that could work for me in order to find out what it is?

Would using the Windows XP discs that came with the computer help me in starting it, but not wiping out my files?

1. There is no exact dos boot equivilent. While we have the Recovery Console, I wouldn't wish that on anyone in crisis mode.

2. You may not have a CD recorder at the moment, but your friends do.

Bob

If I am able to get this program on a disc and boot my computer with it, how can I burn the files on my computer on to a CD? Would I be able to eject the boot disc and then enter a blank CD-R and copy?

Then the CDRW to write. Others use USB memory keys, network drives and even email accounts. I've even installed a second CD/DVD drive since they run about 20 bucks to make this work proper at times.

Bob

Unfortunately, I only have one CD drive and it would be impossible to e-mail all those pics to myself.

1. Email.

Both Yahoo and Gmail (free email accounts) give you 1 gigabyte of email storage. With KNOPPIX one can get on the internet and I could compose a few emails with some 10 Megabytes of pictures in each email. I would not send them, but put them in my DRAFTS folder.

2. 1 CDROM drive.

This is where you reveal how much these pictures are worth. For 20 bucks a CDRW drive can be had. Even externals are not much more and this would give you a backup system with the Knoppix boot and the external USB CDRW. Read how it was done at http://tips.oncomputers.info/archives2004/0401/2004-Jan-11.htm

Bob

Get the word out so others can have this magic CD to save their day.

Bob

If I am able to get this program on a disc and boot my computer with it, how can I burn the files on my computer on to a CD? Would I be able to eject the boot disc and then enter a blank CD-R and copy?

(?Would I be able to eject the boot disc and then enter a blank CD-R and copy??)

The answer to that question is no. You have to have the disk running in the CD drive for it to be able to back up your data.

Knoppix is a bootable version of Linux that can be used to recover your data.. i.e. pictures, music, banking and business files. It is a huge download over 600 Megabytes and if you don?t have cable of DSL , it will take you over 60 hr?s to download it on Dialup.

If you have a good friend with cable ask them to get it and burn it for you. It should only take them about 7 hours or less to download it. I have 40 hours to go on my download of Knoppix.

I am currently downloading the latest version oh Knoppix from this site on my dialup connection.
http://www.kernel.org/pub/dist/knoppix/ KNOPPIX_V3.9-2005-05-27-EN.iso 01-Jun-2005 01:17 696M

As Bob posted before. If you think you have the skills to install a new DVD or CDRW drive in the PC that is dead, that is the cheapest way to go. If you don?t think you can do that, then you can buy an ?External CDRW? or ?External DVD burner? . External means you don?t have to install it inside the PC and they come with cables and their own power supply. The cables are either USB or Fire wire or capable of using both. But they are not cheap.

I would opt for the DVD burner, If it were me, as it will burn CDRW?s as well as DVD?s and also play back DVD?s and you can take it from PC to PC. I have a USB External Hard drive that I use to work on PC?s and backup data to.

You have stated that you must save the Pictures so I guess cost is no big deal.

I?m guessing you have more that one PC in the house? How are you posting to the net?

Good luck.

You have 1GB or maybe 768M of RAM in the machine. It is an option for higher memory machines.

Bob

That?s a good thing to know Bob Thank?s

I spoke to a rep at Gateway and he said that I should do a repair installation with the XP disc. According to him, if I do this, I will not lose any data or the pics that I'm trying to salvage. Does this sound right?

I don't think a week goes by without a post from someone who did a repair installation and can't access their files or other data. Do it at your own risk.