Need help from XP expert please

Yeh try system restore. Hopefully it is enabled. When you get to the desktop screen. Press ctrl+alt+delete. Task manager should pop up. Click on File then New Task. Add this %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe and click okay. System restore should pop up and you will be able to restore to a previous date.

Client had this problem once after windows update and format weren't an option.
 
@gdiza and XCalibre
He can't get to his Windows desktop...
 
:D System Restore? ROTFLMAO you need to get to the desktop or into safe mode to use that. He can't get past the splash screen.
 
bekdik said:
The default Acer setup creates 2 partitions, C: and D:. If you stored all data on D:, then you can run a reinstall as it doesn't touch D:

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, that's worth filing for future reference :D I'm seeing Acers more often in the workshop lately and since I don't sell them I'm not that clued up on their default config. Shot!
 
Goobie said:
very long story, but the short version is that I did some HD cleanup but now pc only boots into XP up to the background with a moving mouse pointer. Tried all safe mode options but nothing works. Reformatting is not an option.

does anybody know how to access the system restore when booting into xp fails. Please help. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If he can see the background and mouse cursor then ctrl+alt+del should work and he'll be able to access task manager and do the system restore
 
Why don't u remove the drive and place it in another XP machine and then you should hopefully be able to view the files. Copy them elsewhere and re-install a fresh copy of windows and then copy the files back.
 
Goobie said:
The computer is an Acer 3050 laptop, incase that info helps.
Click to expand...
1. The product key should be underneath the laptop.

2. Acer installations usually create two partitions on your drive, C:\ and D:\. There is a chance that you may not be able to do a repair install, so for that reason you should always store critical data on your D:\ drive because only the C:\ drive will be formatted during a reinstall.

If you have all your data stored on your D:\ drive then you're good to go. This is what you do:

Acers have a "hidden" partition on your drive with the Windows setup files, enabling you to run the setup directly from the drive without the need for CD's. The first thing you need to do is check that disk-to-disk recovery is enabled in the BIOS. To enter your BIOS press F2 shortly after you switch on the laptop. Make sure that D2D Recovery is enabled, then exit and save the changes. Next restart your system, and press Alt+F10 while the Acer logo is showing. You should enter the recovery process. Follow the instructions from there.

NB: There is a chance that your C:\ drive will be formatted, so in future always stores your critical data on the D:\ drive because that is left unchanged during the recovery process.

But look on the bright side, at least only half your drive will be wiped clean :D
 
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