Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Windows XP BSOD (Details Inside)

by Apr 7, 2013 8:27AM PDT

The Laptop currently effected is a:
HP Compaq 6530b

The current OS is:
Windows XP

Long story short this laptop used to be a company computer, however upon being retired from P&G the laptop was left to us to continue ownership.

Over the years quite a bit of important data has been collected, mostly pictures and other current job related stuff so recovery of its contents is very essential.

It is currently experiencing a BSOD, while trying to boot normally and in safe mode. Last good config yields the same results as well.

It came with no XP disk, or recovery disk for that manner.

"DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" is the stop code displayed on the screen.

There were no recent hardware changes or software changes made to the laptop before these screens started. Lavaware removed quite a bit of basic malware a couple weeks ago, but nothing to alarming for a computer that had not been scanned in an extended period of time.

I am aware that with the installation of Windows Vista, the old files get piled up and set aside in a folder so you can gain access to them. I am not sure if I was to install Vista if that would happen or not, or completely reinstall Windows XP.

I did a live boot of Kali Linux on the laptop today in an attempt to gain access to the files, as I have always been able to with prior laptops however it shows an NTSF issue when I try to partition the drive.

I was going to just try to create a small new partition and install a new boot rec but that obviously is not possible.

Any suggestions? I can provide more info if requested.

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
If You Can Obtain An XP Disc, Of Same Version
by Forum moderator Apr 7, 2013 12:44PM PDT

For example, assuming you're using XP Pro, if you can find, or borrow, an XP Pro installation disc, you might be able to perform a "repair" installation of XP using the instructions in the link below.. This "should" save your important files and documents and repair the operating system so it functions..

http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

You haven't mentioned whether you have backups of all the important files, or WHY you haven't backed them up previously.. Primarily, because most HP/Compaq models have a hidden recovery partition which can be used to reinstall everything back to its factory condition.. Unfortunately, most of the recovery options are "destructive" recoveries and format the hard drive before reinstalling everything.. So, do you have backups of those files?

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
ASDF
by ERR0R_N3T Apr 10, 2013 10:41AM PDT

The laptop was initially mine, however I have several laptops and a desktop so the need to always hold onto all of them at once was never there. It has primarily been in the use of my mother, who well... Had saved up years worth of files and photographs. I was unaware of her failure to backup all of her data.

If I knew everything was already backed up I would have simply wiped the computer and installed a fresh copy of the OS, but that is not the case sadly.

After tinkering with it I got past the STOP screen however it is now saying NTSF not present, or something of the sort.

- Collapse -
Not much to work with but
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 10, 2013 11:45AM PDT

The last NTFS error I encountered involved the Zero Access Rootkit. This one is very involved to remove (read http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-zeroaccess-rootkit/ ) and frankly is beyond most folk's capabilities or patience.

Given the sparse clues it's either a nasty infection or some hardware issue.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
About those important files.
by Forum moderator Apr 10, 2013 11:47AM PDT

Since we can boot other OSes from CD or USB why not get the files out before they are lost forever?

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info