Data Recovery For Old Gateway That Turns On But Won't Load (full Details Included)

My goal: To determine if I have any options for recovering files from this computer

I will attach pictures, but my best attempt at description of computer is:
Gateway desktop computer dated 8/27/02
Windows XP Home Edition
Intel Pentium 4 processor

What is happening: The normal startup/load screen appears, but it abruptly takes me to the "Sorry Windows did not load" screen and prompts me to select "Safe Mode", "Normal" or "last good settings". No matter what I pick, it will not start and continues to go to the "Windows did not load" screen.

"Computer type" pictures:




What I've already tried:
-Inserting a "Dell Drivers and Utilities CD". No effect.
- Clicking "Safe Mode". It just shows me these obscure codes and does the same thing.

Additional info: Here is the main disk area/inputs:

 

Recover the registry: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/307545
If you don't have a Windows CD, any Linux LiveCD should work. Like http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos

 

It seems like it could work, but that article doesn't quite describe the message I'm getting. I posted a picture of the message I'm getting and it just says it failed to restart. Doesn't mention any of the things below.

From the article you linked:

"When you try to start or restart your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate
System error: Lsass.exe
When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is not correct."

Would this still work?

 

I am now working on a mac, and it appears that the software required to transport Puppy onto a USB does not work on Mac. Maybe it would work if I tried to upload Puppy onto a CD instead.

 

Would any of these work, or should I just go with the "Linux Live" CD?

I would much rather be able to re-access the computer rather than just take files from it.

 

Awkward Side Note: I was a young lad when I used this 15 year old computer and it would be nice if I could also....you know, delete some files if possible. So if somehow a solution exists that makes that possible, that would be ideal.

 

Thanks. I think I'll try this method.

Quick question: based on what you see with my computer, do you think my chances are good at this working?

 

Uh Oh, it appears the Puppy Linux for Mac link you sent doesn't work.

 

The "how to install" link isn't working, not the entire link (sorry, wasn't specific). But I guess if I just find the "puppy linux for mac" somewhere on the web it will be fine?

As long as I can Download to a MAC, but use it on a PC.

 

Not for lack of effort...but I can't find anything too straightforward on how to burn MacPup onto a flash drive...

 

I consider it your best bet - the main take away of the post was how to recover your registry - regardless of the error.

 

Ok, so I used UNetbootin after downloading the "lupu" ISO. I followed the directions on how to direct the ISO onto the USB using "Unebootin". It prompted me saying it worked, and I then shutdown my Mac and took the USB flash drive to my old PC. I plugged in the USB and it lit up (working) and started the PC, but nothing different occured. Do I have to us the CD method instead? Or maybe use "Safe Mode"? What should I do?

 

Have you changed the boot order in the BIOS?
You need to set the USB as the first device.

 

In other words, it tired to boot from the internal hard drive instead of the USB stick.
The stick lighting up only shows you that the PC port is working.

If it had booted from the stick, you would have seen something like a menu asking if you wanted to boot live Ubuntu, install Ubuntu and maybe even options to test the memory and check if the ISO you burned to the stick is okay.

 

Is this hard to do? I'm thinking about just burning it to a CD instead.

 

What is Ubuntu? I'm only familiar with the "lupu" ISO and UNetbootin.

If I am to change the programming of a USB, could I do this on the one I already programmed? Or would I need a new one?

 

No. But an easier option is to select a boot device when you start the PC. Press Pause as soon as you see something on the screen and look which key to press. The USB must be plugged in before you start the PC.

That's also an option. But if the CD Drive is not the first device in the BIOS, you'll have to select it as per above.

Ubuntu is another Linux distro.

Just format the USB drive.

 

I would burn it to a CD.

This machine may not be able to boot from a USB. It's kind of old...

 

Would this mean it's configured to "boot"? This is how I've had it and It did cause the PC I'm trying to access to respond any differently.

 

I'm starting to really think I should do this. I'll try to find a guide, hopefully it's not hard to do this correctly.

 

Imgburn is my go to, but since you have a Mac Burn may be your best choice to make the CD:

http://formac.informer.com/imgburn

 

UGH. I burned the CD just using the software my Mac came with. I then inserted the disc into my PC and tried to start it up but no luck.

Would I have better luck using this "Mac Burn" program for some reason? Is there some sort of programming I need to do using Burn?

 

Edit: OK, it finally started up and I am viewing the Puppy interface. Just have to figure out how to access my files from here...I believe a previously linked article explains this.

Hopefully I don't run into anything too technical from here.

I plan to donate to this site after I'm done this process. Thank to all who helped.

 

OK, hit a bit of a snag...I do not see the icons above "menu" that this article (which was linked in this thread earlier) describes. What can I do?

 

What do you see on the "desktop" when you boot the puppy CD?

 

I solved the problem. The problem was having either other CDs (in a seperate drive) or a flash drive in the computer upon startup. When I did that, the disk icons would not appear.