Bootmanagers - Windows XP

Please give advance for helping a dummy.
I used a program Paragon System Backup 2010 - automatic snapshots on external hard drives (plugged in before start the snapshot process).
After finish process, I was attempting to boot computer. Problem started!
When I reboot computer, every time I get a message stating "there are no items to select" !
I see no other way to get through this.
Pressing ctrl_alt_del just reboots the machine, and I get the same message again.
- The external drive has been removed,
- the boot order is set to boot from the internal hard drive,
but the BOOTMANAGER takes over immediately after the bios screen, and does not recognize anything.
And I haven't a Windows XP install CD. (WinXP Home edition.)
(I could load the disc on boot and once loaded hit R for recovery console,
then the prompt type: FIXMBR. This will reset the master boot record and wipe any bootmanagers out.)
Thanks !

 

If you are looking for recovery console then this link will give it to you in an ISO format. Save the file to your HD. Then use imgburn to "Write the Image file to disc" using a blank CD or DVD. (Make sure you select image file option)

Then boot from the CD/DVD and select Repair to get into recovery console and try the fixmbr command.

 

Success we have computer back working, thank you so much for your help.
Brian

 

You're welcome!

You had the plan all worked out and just needed a copy of recovery console. Nice job troubleshooting.

 

I am having the exact same problem after installing Paragon System Backup 2010 on an HP laptop running Windows XP. I cannot reach the first link you pasted; Internet Explorer keeps blocking it. Do you have an alternate place to download it?

THANKS.

 

Nevermind... just installed Mozilla Firefox and was able to download the iso file. Hope this works!

 

Good luck Texas_Pete. I'm not really familiar with the Paragon program. I just put a link to the recovery console.

That recovery console download link sometimes overwhelms its server. I've had it difficult to get to sometimes. Usually I just try again later.

 

No luck. After the initial Windows Setup checks complete, I get the classic Blue Screen Of Death. Any suggestions?????

THANKS.

 

Let's see you boot from the CD. You get Windows is copying files. Starting Windows.. at the bottom of the screen, a flash and then an XP logo and then a choice of install or repair. Where do you blue screen?

 

Ironically, I downloaded and installed the Paragon software to protect my hard drive data. There was a free limited download via CNET at

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-20055657-58.html?tag=mncol;title

 

Let's see you boot from the CD. You get Windows is copying files. Starting Windows.. at the bottom of the screen, a flash and then an XP logo and then a choice of install or repair. Where do you blue screen?


Once the disc is selected to boot from:

Setup is inspecting your computers hardware

Windows Setup

Setup is loading files....

Setup is starting windows...

and then direct to the blue screen: 0x0000007B,0xF78DAC63C,0xc0000034,0x00000000

Stuck from there on.

 

Oh.... and I never get the XP logo. BTW... thanks for the quick answers.

 

My guess is that the recovery console might be having trouble with a SATA HD although that shouldn't cause a blue screen. I'd skip RC and just move on to different software to accomplish the same task.

There are a couple options if all you need to do is write a new mbr. TestDisk using a Live Linux CD such as Gparted or Parted Magic which both come with TestDisk. (about 140mb download.)

I know Partition Wizard has a rebuild MBR capability but I would have to make sure it is included on the bootable CD version. (about 40mb)

Just to make sure: the OS on the laptop is XP?

 

Thanks. Yes XP 32 Bit Professional with SP3

 

I just looked at Partition Wizard bootable CD and it has the rebuild MBR option available. I can't test it because I am running Win7 on this machine and don't have an XP machine available. My only hesitation on saying go ahead and use it is that from that disc the help section says it should only be used on a non-partitioned HD. The guide on their site says it does not damage the partition table which I believe to be true but can't verify. So if you have the bandwidth I would use TestDisk. It is command line based but not too difficult. I know it will work, I've used it many times.

Download the ISO and burn it using imgburn (Parted Magic ISO is a good one to have because it will give you a bit more functions than just the Gparted CD for about the same size download). I will put together a step by step but it is basically just the first four screens in this guide except you will choose MBR Code in the fourth step and just say yes when prompted. Then exit out of the program and reboot without the cd.

 

Will give it a shot. Much appreciated!

 

I have to go out for an hour or so. If you have any problems just exit the program and I'll get back to this thread.

Start from the Parted Magic CD.
Accept default from menu to run from RAM so just hit <enter>
Click on the Monitor icon third from the left on the bottom of the screen.
Type testdisk hit <enter>
Create is highlighted so hit <enter>
Your HD is probably highlighted but use arrow keys to move to it if necessary (look at the size in GB to determine which is HD) <enter>
Intel is highlited <enter>
Arrow down to MBR Code <enter>
Prompted to write MBR code type Y and hit <enter>
(You'll probably get a message about needing to reboot for changes to take effect)
Arrow down to Quit <enter>
Arrow over to Quit <enter>
Type exit to close the black Terminal window <enter>
Go to where the Start button is on a Windows Desktop and Choose Logout and then Shutdown.
Remove the CD and see if you can now boot from the HD.

Good Luck!

 

YOU ARE FREAKING AWESOME!!!!

I followed your instructions to a T and I can now boot my PC>

Thanks so much for your help.

 

Good Job! I'm glad you got it sorted.

Just a thought but I would keep that CD as it can be a useful tool. Besides TestDisk and the very good Gparted partitioning program (which you didn't have to use but might come in handy some day) the CD can be used to boot any computer.

If you boot from it again you will see that the My Documents icon on the desktop gives you access to all files on the computer, including Windows files, from the left pane where all the drives are listed. If you ever have a problem where a computer won't boot but need files you can attach a USB thumb drive and copy the files over to the flash drive.

And, if you have the computer connected to an ethernet cable it will automatically connect you to the internet and under the Start menu>Internet you will find Firefox web browser so you can get web access from the CD as well.

Worth labeling and keeping somewhere, IMO.