Moving user data from a corrupted XP install to a good install on same HD

I have a corrupted install (C:\winnt) that I can't recover from. On the same HD, I have a good install of XP (C:\windows). Is there a way to recover/move old info (users/groups, desktop look & feel, etc. etc.) to the new installation (C:\Windows)?

Ultimately, I want all previously installed apps to be moved to the new installation.

I don't know, is there a way to grab the old registry and change the pointers/file locations/etc?

 

If you start up in the good system, and then
Press start, right click My Computer, click manage, then disc management.Then Right Click on the Crive, you need to click explore. Then its a case of exploring the relevent folders in that Windows folder.

 

I am sorry that I am no expert on the registry, limited knowledge only, but generally, I am sure that you cannot move applications completely to another partion. There may well be registry hacks to do it, but someone with more registry ability will need to help you there.

 

Just looked at another thread, and Halo (major geek) reminded me that you will probably have to take ownership of the files you want, so Halo left this link for another (different problem -same remedy's))
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

 

"... I have a corrupted install (C:\winnt) that I can't recover from. On the same HD, I have a good install of XP (C:\windows)..."

C:\WINNT indicates a Windows 2000 installation. You now have XP in C:\WINDOWS. This indicates that you have installed XP to the same partition. This is generally not a good idea.

Is your (one and only?) hard disk set as one partition?

Do you have a second (physical) hard disk in this machine available for use?

 

Dan, same hard drive, and I missed that C: drive double installation

I hope I did not assume wrong, as I assumed that XP was on another partition, and that was a typing error.
gbrennan, Would you confirm where you have XP installed ?confused
If you have two operating systems installed , on the same partition, it might be possible , if you can get into it to copy what you need, then uninstall the other (2000?) - I have never tried that.

 

yes...both installations are on the single c: partition.

I got this PC after the owner tried his own troubleshooting.

I'm in the process of preparing to try to use UBCD for Windows to repair the original installation (C:\Winnt).

If that doesn't work, I'm back trying to "recover" his data. Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

"I'm in the process of preparing to try to use UBCD for Windows to repair the original installation (C:\Winnt)."

If you have access to a W2K CD, this would be much better to use towards an O/S repair.

The Ultimate Boot CD could be utilized to delete the C:\WINDOWS directory (and make repairs to the boot.ini file). This would help greatly in the 2000 repair. (Less for Windows to get confused about during the repair.)

Keep in mind that the common folders (Documents and Settings, Program Files) are going to be mixed now with 2000 and XP elements.

The best method is to use the UBCD to retrieve any personal data (saving it elsewhere than C: of course) and wipe the entire C: partition and reinstall fresh.

 

Sorry doubled up last post,again

 

My memory escapes sometimes, I found a link where someone has copied the files from a similar position as yourself--only he installed a second copy to solve it--


http://computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/31394.html
Quote from this link
Name: Jason
Date: August 07, 2002 at 00:00:47 Pacific
Subject: Can't start WindowXP due to lsass.exe
Reply:

I had this problem and I installed a second copy of XP on the hard drive, but I didn't erase the old copy. I then copied the following files from \winnt\repair to \winnt\system32\config (where winnt is the directory of your initial disfunctioning windows install): SAM and Security. My computer started up with most of the programs still in tact but some of my aesthetic preferences changed. I think this could probably be done from the recovery console as well as long as you know where to look for the files, that would prevent you from having to install a second copy of the OS on the drive.


http://computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/31394.html