hard drive problems

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

It's so tempting to turn around and say 'Ditch Norton completely and then we
can start rescuing your Windows installation' - that I think I'll leave it
there.....


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Mark Garron" <caia@xigo.com> wrote in message
news:427FAD59.748CE016@xigo.com...
>I have run into a series of hard drive problems that I have tried to
> fix. I could not run scandisk through start up of my system. I came to
> the conclusion that my best tactic was to buy a new hard drive and
> install a clean install of windows me. I connect the old drive that I am
> having troubles as a slave and booted on the new drive. I ran scan disk
> and this seemed to clean up the problems. I booted on the old hard
> drive. I then tried to upgrade my copy of Norton anti virus in order
> make sure my problems were not caused by a virus. This did not work . I
> could not install the upgrade. I decided that I better boot the new hard
> drive with the old drive as a slave again. I installed the new version
> of Norton anit virus and ran a scan of both my drives. I lot of spy ware
> came up and I deleted all that i could. I then reboot trying to use the
> old drive and could not. I get a windows protection fault. I can not
> boot in safe mode either. I would guess that I have problems with the
> registry. How can I fix this? I can still boot using the new drive with
> the old drive as a slave. How can I run a diagnoistic and repair on the
> registry of a slave drive? If this can't be done perhaps I should look
> at building up a new registry on the new drive.. I do not want to
> reinstall all my software as this is very inpractical. What is the
> procedure in copying programs over one at a time so that all components
> and keys are installed? I can not boot using a floppy as I don't have a
> floppy drive. Is there any repair feature on the WindowsME install disk?
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> Mark
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

IIUYC, it appears that your NAV scanning of the drives removed an infected,
but critical, WinME OS file resulting in the Windows Protection Error.
IMO, your only simple solution is to attempt a Safe Mode, or DOS mode,
System Restore reversion to a time prior to this infection. If this fails,
a backup restoration or a clean install are the feasible options.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mark Garron" <caia@xigo.com> wrote in message
news:427FB0DF.1AF7F288@xigo.com...
> Thats all well and good to say but...
>
> Norton is completely uninstalled on the old drive. I have two options copy
> everything to the new drive. The question becomes how do I copy all keys
etc so
> that I don't have to reinstall everything. or How do I recover and fix my
> registry on the old drive.
>
> Mark
>
> Noel Paton wrote:
>
> > It's so tempting to turn around and say 'Ditch Norton completely and
then we
> > can start rescuing your Windows installation' - that I think I'll leave
it
> > there.....
> >
> > --
> > Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)
> >
> > Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
> > http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
> >
> > Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's
> >
> > "Mark Garron" <caia@xigo.com> wrote in message
> > news:427FAD59.748CE016@xigo.com...
> > >I have run into a series of hard drive problems that I have tried to
> > > fix. I could not run scandisk through start up of my system. I came to
> > > the conclusion that my best tactic was to buy a new hard drive and
> > > install a clean install of windows me. I connect the old drive that I
am
> > > having troubles as a slave and booted on the new drive. I ran scan
disk
> > > and this seemed to clean up the problems. I booted on the old hard
> > > drive. I then tried to upgrade my copy of Norton anti virus in order
> > > make sure my problems were not caused by a virus. This did not work .
I
> > > could not install the upgrade. I decided that I better boot the new
hard
> > > drive with the old drive as a slave again. I installed the new version
> > > of Norton anit virus and ran a scan of both my drives. I lot of spy
ware
> > > came up and I deleted all that i could. I then reboot trying to use
the
> > > old drive and could not. I get a windows protection fault. I can not
> > > boot in safe mode either. I would guess that I have problems with the
> > > registry. How can I fix this? I can still boot using the new drive
with
> > > the old drive as a slave. How can I run a diagnoistic and repair on
the
> > > registry of a slave drive? If this can't be done perhaps I should look
> > > at building up a new registry on the new drive.. I do not want to
> > > reinstall all my software as this is very inpractical. What is the
> > > procedure in copying programs over one at a time so that all
components
> > > and keys are installed? I can not boot using a floppy as I don't have
a
> > > floppy drive. Is there any repair feature on the WindowsME install
disk?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help!
> > >
> > > Mark
> > >
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Mark,

Why is a Safe Mode system restore impossible? Is this because you cannot
get to Safe Mode? Regrettably there is no such thing as a DOS mode
system restore although system restore can be run without loading
explorer.exe. All that is possible from DOS is to use scanreg /restore
which can be used to restore one of five backed up copies of the registry
but not any deleted or amended system files.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP
mike.maltby@gmail.com


Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:

> safe mode system restore is not possible. Perhaps a DOS mode restore
> is. However I would be booting from the system instal disk. So how do
> I do a backup restore? Where are these files kept. How do I do this?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

This was a nice idea but unfortunatley it didn't work. The error must hit
before systeme.ini loads. As for Mike's question why I can't run in safe
mode. This is hard for me to say. If I knew I might have a solution. I can
olny boot the drive as a slave or boot from the install disk and go to a dos
prompt.

Mark

Jack E Martinelli wrote:

> Please excuse my previously confusing language. I now understand the
> ambiguity.
> I meant to suggest what my colleague has previously posted:
>
> Booting to SR using DOS mode
>
> "Depending on the problems you are having, you may be able to use system
> restore using the following method which requires you to boot to DOS using
> your EBD and editing system.ini and replacing the line
> shell=explorer.exe with one reading
> shell=C:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe
> Now remove the EBD and see if you can start Win and boot direct into
> System Restore. For more details see KB 279736 "How to Start the System
> Restore Tool from a Command Prompt"
> (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=279736) which mentions using
> progman.exe after which you can then locate and run rstrui.exe however
> using rstrui.exe as above works equally well."
>
> Mike Maltby MVP 5/09/2005
> ------
>
> Nevertheless, before doing so, Mark, we FIRST need the answer to Mike's
> question about why you can't boot to Safe Mode.
>
> Also, my reference to your system backup files, presupposed that you have
> used some third-party backup tool to create same previously. If not, that
> possible solution is SOL now.
> --
> Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
> Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
> In Memorium: Alex Nichol
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
> Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> ------
> "Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
> news:%23%23DxtmVVFHA.3152@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Mark,
> >
> > Why is a Safe Mode system restore impossible? Is this because you cannot
> > get to Safe Mode? Regrettably there is no such thing as a DOS mode
> > system restore although system restore can be run without loading
> > explorer.exe. All that is possible from DOS is to use scanreg /restore
> > which can be used to restore one of five backed up copies of the registry
> > but not any deleted or amended system files.
> > --
> > Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> > mike.maltby@gmail.com
> >
> >
> > Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > safe mode system restore is not possible. Perhaps a DOS mode restore
> > > is. However I would be booting from the system instal disk. So how do
> > > I do a backup restore? Where are these files kept. How do I do this?
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Mark,

Scanreg /restore is not the same as system restore as I'm sure you are
already aware.

I've no idea what doesn't work when booted from a CD. What CD? Microsoft
Win Me CDs aren't bootable however some OEM CDs are bootable as are some
OEM recovery CDs.

If scanreg /restore didn't get your system back up running and you are
unable to launch system restore by modifying system.ini as suggested by
Jack (KB279736) then it looks as if it's time to backup your user data
from that disk and start over.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP
mike.maltby@gmail.com



Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:

> I can only boot with the drive as a slave or through the setup disk
> for windows me. Tried scanreg /restore in DOS. IT doesn't seem to
> work when booted from the cd.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

way I see it, you ran Norton from a new OS drive and asked it to clean
up an old OS drive.

I'm not privy to what Norton cleanup involves, but I bet a good portion
of all that spyware/virus/adware it found and you had it delete, was
(original disk) system files.

Ya know I been trying to get my Celine Dion CD to boot but nothing
happens... maybe Rush'd do the trick.


Rick


Mark Garron wrote:
> I am sorry Mike I though I was clear as to "boot from CD" I used a cd to
> boot. I didn't think there could be much confusion.
>
> Okay time to start over.
>
> This is a long process and I don't have very good procedures as to what to do
> after installing the OS.
> I am stuck in no mans land. There are a meriad of programs that I need to
> install. First thing I want is email. How do I restore Outlook express?
> can I use anything from the old hard drive in terms of the register? I would
> like some time in the next year toi actually puting my computer back
> together.
>
> To quote Jack Nickelson " I am drowning and everyone wants to describe the
> water"
>
> Mark
>
> Mike M wrote:
>
>
>>Mark,
>>
>>Scanreg /restore is not the same as system restore as I'm sure you are
>>already aware.
>>
>>I've no idea what doesn't work when booted from a CD. What CD? Microsoft
>>Win Me CDs aren't bootable however some OEM CDs are bootable as are some
>>OEM recovery CDs.
>>
>>If scanreg /restore didn't get your system back up running and you are
>>unable to launch system restore by modifying system.ini as suggested by
>>Jack (KB279736) then it looks as if it's time to backup your user data
>>from that disk and start over.
>>--
>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
>>mike.maltby@gmail.com
>>
>>Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I can only boot with the drive as a slave or through the setup disk
>>>for windows me. Tried scanreg /restore in DOS. IT doesn't seem to
>>>work when booted from the cd.
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Rush always does the trick but Celine well she's just one big virus on her own.

Mark

BTW I can boot from my install CD so I don't understand the joke.

Rick T wrote:

> way I see it, you ran Norton from a new OS drive and asked it to clean
> up an old OS drive.
>
> I'm not privy to what Norton cleanup involves, but I bet a good portion
> of all that spyware/virus/adware it found and you had it delete, was
> (original disk) system files.
>
> Ya know I been trying to get my Celine Dion CD to boot but nothing
> happens... maybe Rush'd do the trick.
>
> Rick
>
> Mark Garron wrote:
> > I am sorry Mike I though I was clear as to "boot from CD" I used a cd to
> > boot. I didn't think there could be much confusion.
> >
> > Okay time to start over.
> >
> > This is a long process and I don't have very good procedures as to what to do
> > after installing the OS.
> > I am stuck in no mans land. There are a meriad of programs that I need to
> > install. First thing I want is email. How do I restore Outlook express?
> > can I use anything from the old hard drive in terms of the register? I would
> > like some time in the next year toi actually puting my computer back
> > together.
> >
> > To quote Jack Nickelson " I am drowning and everyone wants to describe the
> > water"
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > Mike M wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Mark,
> >>
> >>Scanreg /restore is not the same as system restore as I'm sure you are
> >>already aware.
> >>
> >>I've no idea what doesn't work when booted from a CD. What CD? Microsoft
> >>Win Me CDs aren't bootable however some OEM CDs are bootable as are some
> >>OEM recovery CDs.
> >>
> >>If scanreg /restore didn't get your system back up running and you are
> >>unable to launch system restore by modifying system.ini as suggested by
> >>Jack (KB279736) then it looks as if it's time to backup your user data
> >>from that disk and start over.
> >>--
> >>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> >>mike.maltby@gmail.com
> >>
> >>Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I can only boot with the drive as a slave or through the setup disk
> >>>for windows me. Tried scanreg /restore in DOS. IT doesn't seem to
> >>>work when booted from the cd.
> >
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

"joke" was you didn't say how you were booting (many CDs are bootable...
though I'm guessing Rush wouldn't have worked)... Mike wanted to know if
you were using an M$ CD or a manufacturer-proprietary "Recovery Disk".

I've read your posts and at this point I'm not sure what you're trying
to accomplish; do you want to keep the new drive or revert to the old one ?


Rick


Mark Garron wrote:
> Rush always does the trick but Celine well she's just one big virus on her own.
>
> Mark
>
> BTW I can boot from my install CD so I don't understand the joke.
>
> Rick T wrote:
>
>
>>way I see it, you ran Norton from a new OS drive and asked it to clean
>>up an old OS drive.
>>
>>I'm not privy to what Norton cleanup involves, but I bet a good portion
>>of all that spyware/virus/adware it found and you had it delete, was
>>(original disk) system files.
>>
>>Ya know I been trying to get my Celine Dion CD to boot but nothing
>>happens... maybe Rush'd do the trick.
>>
>>Rick
>>
>>Mark Garron wrote:
>>
>>>I am sorry Mike I though I was clear as to "boot from CD" I used a cd to
>>>boot. I didn't think there could be much confusion.
>>>
>>>Okay time to start over.
>>>
>>>This is a long process and I don't have very good procedures as to what to do
>>>after installing the OS.
>>>I am stuck in no mans land. There are a meriad of programs that I need to
>>>install. First thing I want is email. How do I restore Outlook express?
>>>can I use anything from the old hard drive in terms of the register? I would
>>>like some time in the next year toi actually puting my computer back
>>>together.
>>>
>>>To quote Jack Nickelson " I am drowning and everyone wants to describe the
>>>water"
>>>
>>>Mark
>>>
>>>Mike M wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Mark,
>>>>
>>>>Scanreg /restore is not the same as system restore as I'm sure you are
>>>>already aware.
>>>>
>>>>I've no idea what doesn't work when booted from a CD. What CD? Microsoft
>>>>Win Me CDs aren't bootable however some OEM CDs are bootable as are some
>>>>OEM recovery CDs.
>>>>
>>>>If scanreg /restore didn't get your system back up running and you are
>>>>unable to launch system restore by modifying system.ini as suggested by
>>>>Jack (KB279736) then it looks as if it's time to backup your user data
>>>
>>>>from that disk and start over.
>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
>>>>mike.maltby@gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I can only boot with the drive as a slave or through the setup disk
>>>>>for windows me. Tried scanreg /restore in DOS. IT doesn't seem to
>>>>>work when booted from the cd.
>>>
>>>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Rick,

I'm sorry but I do think it is very clear what I am trying to do. For you to say
that I am being unclear is rediculous. I can't boot with my drive and I am trying to
find solutions. What the hell else do you thinnk I am trying to do! Are you just
trying to wind me up? If there is a recovery product out there then name it. It
breaks my heart every time I look at the posts and find replies that don't move me
any closer to a solution.

Mark


Rick T wrote:

> "joke" was you didn't say how you were booting (many CDs are bootable...
> though I'm guessing Rush wouldn't have worked)... Mike wanted to know if
> you were using an M$ CD or a manufacturer-proprietary "Recovery Disk".
>
> I've read your posts and at this point I'm not sure what you're trying
> to accomplish; do you want to keep the new drive or revert to the old one ?
>
> Rick
>
> Mark Garron wrote:
> > Rush always does the trick but Celine well she's just one big virus on her own.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > BTW I can boot from my install CD so I don't understand the joke.
> >
> > Rick T wrote:
> >
> >
> >>way I see it, you ran Norton from a new OS drive and asked it to clean
> >>up an old OS drive.
> >>
> >>I'm not privy to what Norton cleanup involves, but I bet a good portion
> >>of all that spyware/virus/adware it found and you had it delete, was
> >>(original disk) system files.
> >>
> >>Ya know I been trying to get my Celine Dion CD to boot but nothing
> >>happens... maybe Rush'd do the trick.
> >>
> >>Rick
> >>
> >>Mark Garron wrote:
> >>
> >>>I am sorry Mike I though I was clear as to "boot from CD" I used a cd to
> >>>boot. I didn't think there could be much confusion.
> >>>
> >>>Okay time to start over.
> >>>
> >>>This is a long process and I don't have very good procedures as to what to do
> >>>after installing the OS.
> >>>I am stuck in no mans land. There are a meriad of programs that I need to
> >>>install. First thing I want is email. How do I restore Outlook express?
> >>>can I use anything from the old hard drive in terms of the register? I would
> >>>like some time in the next year toi actually puting my computer back
> >>>together.
> >>>
> >>>To quote Jack Nickelson " I am drowning and everyone wants to describe the
> >>>water"
> >>>
> >>>Mark
> >>>
> >>>Mike M wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Mark,
> >>>>
> >>>>Scanreg /restore is not the same as system restore as I'm sure you are
> >>>>already aware.
> >>>>
> >>>>I've no idea what doesn't work when booted from a CD. What CD? Microsoft
> >>>>Win Me CDs aren't bootable however some OEM CDs are bootable as are some
> >>>>OEM recovery CDs.
> >>>>
> >>>>If scanreg /restore didn't get your system back up running and you are
> >>>>unable to launch system restore by modifying system.ini as suggested by
> >>>>Jack (KB279736) then it looks as if it's time to backup your user data
> >>>
> >>>>from that disk and start over.
> >>>
> >>>>--
> >>>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> >>>>mike.maltby@gmail.com
> >>>>
> >>>>Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>I can only boot with the drive as a slave or through the setup disk
> >>>>>for windows me. Tried scanreg /restore in DOS. IT doesn't seem to
> >>>>>work when booted from the cd.
> >>>
> >>>
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

I'm surprised anyone has kept up with this thread considering your
attitude to the people who have tried to help.
Even I with my very limited knowledge of computers would not think it
possible to just copy the registry over, it is made up of many components
which are put there by the OS and programs that are installed.
Why is it you can't just follow Mike's advise with regards clean
installing to the new drive then using the old as backup.
Joan


Mark Garron wrote:
If I can recover a registry from my old
> hard drive on to my new hard drive I would be happy. Again no advice
> seems to be forthcoming.
>
> Mark

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Mr. Garron,
no one here is trying "to wind you up", or any other way make your life more
miserable.
We are doing the best we can, using a rather primitive tool from a remote
location, first, to try to understand your situation, and, second, to offer
possible resolutions.

May I, first, and most importantly, suggest to you: "Patience and
persistence", and "There is no excuse for lack of grace under pressure."
Remembering these simple models will make your situation more bearable, and
help us help you better.

1) You are quite lucky that, while the original drive will not now boot to
WinME, it does work as a slave, and your personal data can still be
recovered. Re: your important OE files, Mr. Maltby has posted as to how to
recover them easily. For further documentation, please review
www.insideoe.com, from one the world's leading OE experts, MVP Tom Koch.
Any other valuable personal data should be retrieved to a safe place, ASAP.

2) If you can not restore the WinME boot capability, using scanreg
/restore, nor by using System Restore, AND if you did not prepare for this
eventuality by creating a system OS backup, using a third-party tool, then
you are left with only two choices, as we have repeatedly emphasized to you.

a. An "in-place" reinstallation, which has several critical caveats:
http://winnoel.users.btopenworld.com/reinME.htm
Our colleague here, MVP Noel Paton, is almost certainly the leading expert
for this effort, and you should certainly get his opinion should you choose
this path.

b. A "clean" installation of WinME:
CLEAN REINSTALL OF WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS ME
Revised May 9, 2005
http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm

IMO, since you can still obtain all essential personal data from the
original drive, I recommend the second solution using a new HD for the new
installation. Once all is well, you can use the original drive as a second
drive, for the swapfile and for an archive.

FWIW, I have had to reinstall/recover three WinME installations and deal
with a failing XP SP2 laptop HD in the past 10 weeks.
Despite my considerable expertise, and helpful suggestions from my MVP
colleagues, I simply had to restore a Drive Image 2002 backup of one
unbootable WinME system to recover.
I never did learn why this WinME would only boot to DOS-compatibility
mode -- if/when it would boot -- despite being clean when scanned by the DOS
AV tools, F-Prot and EOD32. Usually, I received "Windows Protection Error.
Restart the machine." or "Error loading Explorer.exe. Please reinstall
Windows" at startup.
The Dual PCI IDE HD controller appeared to be damaged, in Device Manager,
and no effort by me could repair it. I finally installed a second HD and
performed a "parallel" WinME installation to prove that it was not due to a
hardware failure. A subsequent DI backup restoration to the original drive
restored all functionality. I spent four weeks on this problem, out of
curiosity, before giving up. Fortunately, my DI backup was from 3/26/2005,
so I had little to do to fully recover.

Your task, tedious and anxiety-producing as it is, will be far easier.
Please do not hesitate to ask any further, clarifying questions.

HTH,
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
news:uiWMxqcVFHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Are you trying to wind me up?
>
> No but from your comments you seem to be a long way from helping yourself.
> Just take one example, your question "How do I restore Outlook Express".
> Now what exactly is one to read from that? That your system is running OK
> but not Outlook Express or perhaps that you have reinstalled Win Me and
> now want to import your backed up Outlook Express message store?
>
> I'm sorry but I've decided that I can see little point in my continuing
> posting to this thread which just leaves me to wish you the best with
> whatever you eventually decide to do.
>
> Oh, and in the meantime why not import those all important ten years of
> Outlook Express messages into your working system whilst you are working
> out how to proceed. My previous post told you how to do that. At least
> then you'd have the satisfaction then of knowing you hadn't lost those
> messages.
> --
> Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> mike.maltby@gmail.com
>
>
>
> Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
>
> > Well you guys have got me shaking my head. Are you trying to wind me
> > up? I trust you are trying to help and not just tease me. I don't
> > know what to make of your reply.
> >
> > What have I established. Every piece of data from the old drive is
> > still there except what I need to boot.
> > If I go forward with a fresh install on a new drive how do I get all
> > my programs to work without going through the very labourious task on
> > installing every program that I had on the previous drive. Outlook
> > express was an example. Sure I have a copy of outlook express on the
> > new system but I don't have all the emails that I have received in
> > the last 10 years. So Forgive me for trying to do this an easy way
> > and not the hard way.
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Jack,

I have to say thank you. This is the best response that I have recieved. It is
clear you understand my problem and you have gone out of your way to point me
is very interesting and important avenues of research. At the very least I will
feel confident that I have expolored all avenues before choosing the path to
recover that is best suited for me.

Again thank you! thank you! thank you!

Mark

Jack E Martinelli wrote:

> Mr. Garron,
> no one here is trying "to wind you up", or any other way make your life more
> miserable.
> We are doing the best we can, using a rather primitive tool from a remote
> location, first, to try to understand your situation, and, second, to offer
> possible resolutions.
>
> May I, first, and most importantly, suggest to you: "Patience and
> persistence", and "There is no excuse for lack of grace under pressure."
> Remembering these simple models will make your situation more bearable, and
> help us help you better.
>
> 1) You are quite lucky that, while the original drive will not now boot to
> WinME, it does work as a slave, and your personal data can still be
> recovered. Re: your important OE files, Mr. Maltby has posted as to how to
> recover them easily. For further documentation, please review
> www.insideoe.com, from one the world's leading OE experts, MVP Tom Koch.
> Any other valuable personal data should be retrieved to a safe place, ASAP.
>
> 2) If you can not restore the WinME boot capability, using scanreg
> /restore, nor by using System Restore, AND if you did not prepare for this
> eventuality by creating a system OS backup, using a third-party tool, then
> you are left with only two choices, as we have repeatedly emphasized to you.
>
> a. An "in-place" reinstallation, which has several critical caveats:
> http://winnoel.users.btopenworld.com/reinME.htm
> Our colleague here, MVP Noel Paton, is almost certainly the leading expert
> for this effort, and you should certainly get his opinion should you choose
> this path.
>
> b. A "clean" installation of WinME:
> CLEAN REINSTALL OF WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS ME
> Revised May 9, 2005
> http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm
>
> IMO, since you can still obtain all essential personal data from the
> original drive, I recommend the second solution using a new HD for the new
> installation. Once all is well, you can use the original drive as a second
> drive, for the swapfile and for an archive.
>
> FWIW, I have had to reinstall/recover three WinME installations and deal
> with a failing XP SP2 laptop HD in the past 10 weeks.
> Despite my considerable expertise, and helpful suggestions from my MVP
> colleagues, I simply had to restore a Drive Image 2002 backup of one
> unbootable WinME system to recover.
> I never did learn why this WinME would only boot to DOS-compatibility
> mode -- if/when it would boot -- despite being clean when scanned by the DOS
> AV tools, F-Prot and EOD32. Usually, I received "Windows Protection Error.
> Restart the machine." or "Error loading Explorer.exe. Please reinstall
> Windows" at startup.
> The Dual PCI IDE HD controller appeared to be damaged, in Device Manager,
> and no effort by me could repair it. I finally installed a second HD and
> performed a "parallel" WinME installation to prove that it was not due to a
> hardware failure. A subsequent DI backup restoration to the original drive
> restored all functionality. I spent four weeks on this problem, out of
> curiosity, before giving up. Fortunately, my DI backup was from 3/26/2005,
> so I had little to do to fully recover.
>
> Your task, tedious and anxiety-producing as it is, will be far easier.
> Please do not hesitate to ask any further, clarifying questions.
>
> HTH,
> --
> Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
> Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
> In Memorium: Alex Nichol
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
> Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> ------
> "Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
> news:uiWMxqcVFHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > Are you trying to wind me up?
> >
> > No but from your comments you seem to be a long way from helping yourself.
> > Just take one example, your question "How do I restore Outlook Express".
> > Now what exactly is one to read from that? That your system is running OK
> > but not Outlook Express or perhaps that you have reinstalled Win Me and
> > now want to import your backed up Outlook Express message store?
> >
> > I'm sorry but I've decided that I can see little point in my continuing
> > posting to this thread which just leaves me to wish you the best with
> > whatever you eventually decide to do.
> >
> > Oh, and in the meantime why not import those all important ten years of
> > Outlook Express messages into your working system whilst you are working
> > out how to proceed. My previous post told you how to do that. At least
> > then you'd have the satisfaction then of knowing you hadn't lost those
> > messages.
> > --
> > Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> > mike.maltby@gmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Well you guys have got me shaking my head. Are you trying to wind me
> > > up? I trust you are trying to help and not just tease me. I don't
> > > know what to make of your reply.
> > >
> > > What have I established. Every piece of data from the old drive is
> > > still there except what I need to boot.
> > > If I go forward with a fresh install on a new drive how do I get all
> > > my programs to work without going through the very labourious task on
> > > installing every program that I had on the previous drive. Outlook
> > > express was an example. Sure I have a copy of outlook express on the
> > > new system but I don't have all the emails that I have received in
> > > the last 10 years. So Forgive me for trying to do this an easy way
> > > and not the hard way.
> >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

I am very pleased with your response here, and hope our aid comes to be
really useful to you.
May I point out that I have said little-to-nothing else than my colleagues
have previously noted.
We all intend you well. We think we can help you, too, despite our various
ways of attempting to do so..

It is critical that we all remember that we are a fragile community of
like-interested souls, using a minimally-communicative tool, but facing
computer problems which can be quite complex and anxious, and affording many
opportunities to lose our patience and better manners. This can be true for
responders as well as OP's. All misunderstandings about motives must be
laid aside in the interests of good will and success. No one can be here
long without increasing their moral development.

I commend you, and recommend that you continue seeking your solution at your
newer post, where I see you already have some responses.

I wish you the very best, knowing that we (the several of us) can resolve
your problem together,
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
In Memorium: Alex Nichol
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Mark Garron" <caia@xigo.com> wrote in message
news:4282155D.F8AAD3DE@xigo.com...
> Jack,
>
> I have to say thank you. This is the best response that I have received.
It is
> clear you understand my problem and you have gone out of your way to point
me
> is very interesting and important avenues of research. At the very least,
I will
> feel confident that I have expolored all avenues before choosing the path
to
> recover that is best suited for me.
>
> Again thank you! thank you! thank you!
>
> Mark
>
> Jack E Martinelli wrote:
>
> > Mr. Garron,
> > no one here is trying "to wind you up", or any other way make your life
more
> > miserable.
> > We are doing the best we can, using a rather primitive tool from a
remote
> > location, first, to try to understand your situation, and, second, to
offer
> > possible resolutions.
> >
> > May I, first, and most importantly, suggest to you: "Patience and
> > persistence", and "There is no excuse for lack of grace under
pressure."
> > Remembering these simple models will make your situation more bearable,
and
> > help us help you better.
> >
> > 1) You are quite lucky that, while the original drive will not now boot
to
> > WinME, it does work as a slave, and your personal data can still be
> > recovered. Re: your important OE files, Mr. Maltby has posted as to how
to
> > recover them easily. For further documentation, please review
> > www.insideoe.com, from one the world's leading OE experts, MVP Tom Koch.
> > Any other valuable personal data should be retrieved to a safe place,
ASAP.
> >
> > 2) If you can not restore the WinME boot capability, using scanreg
> > /restore, nor by using System Restore, AND if you did not prepare for
this
> > eventuality by creating a system OS backup, using a third-party tool,
then
> > you are left with only two choices, as we have repeatedly emphasized to
you.
> >
> > a. An "in-place" reinstallation, which has several critical
caveats:
> > http://winnoel.users.btopenworld.com/reinME.htm
> > Our colleague here, MVP Noel Paton, is almost certainly the leading
expert
> > for this effort, and you should certainly get his opinion should you
choose
> > this path.
> >
> > b. A "clean" installation of WinME:
> > CLEAN REINSTALL OF WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS ME
> > Revised May 9, 2005
> > http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm
> >
> > IMO, since you can still obtain all essential personal data from the
> > original drive, I recommend the second solution using a new HD for the
new
> > installation. Once all is well, you can use the original drive as a
second
> > drive, for the swapfile and for an archive.
> >
> > FWIW, I have had to reinstall/recover three WinME installations and deal
> > with a failing XP SP2 laptop HD in the past 10 weeks.
> > Despite my considerable expertise, and helpful suggestions from my MVP
> > colleagues, I simply had to restore a Drive Image 2002 backup of one
> > unbootable WinME system to recover.
> > I never did learn why this WinME would only boot to DOS-compatibility
> > mode -- if/when it would boot -- despite being clean when scanned by the
DOS
> > AV tools, F-Prot and EOD32. Usually, I received "Windows Protection
Error.
> > Restart the machine." or "Error loading Explorer.exe. Please
reinstall
> > Windows" at startup.
> > The Dual PCI IDE HD controller appeared to be damaged, in Device
Manager,
> > and no effort by me could repair it. I finally installed a second HD and
> > performed a "parallel" WinME installation to prove that it was not due
to a
> > hardware failure. A subsequent DI backup restoration to the original
drive
> > restored all functionality. I spent four weeks on this problem, out
of
> > curiosity, before giving up. Fortunately, my DI backup was from
3/26/2005,
> > so I had little to do to fully recover.
> >
> > Your task, tedious and anxiety-producing as it is, will be far easier.
> > Please do not hesitate to ask any further, clarifying questions.
> >
> > HTH,
> > --
> > Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
> > Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
> > In Memorium: Alex Nichol
> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp [...] ichol.mspx
> > Your cooperation is very appreciated.
> > ------
> > "Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
> > news:uiWMxqcVFHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > > Are you trying to wind me up?
> > >
> > > No but from your comments you seem to be a long way from helping
yourself.
> > > Just take one example, your question "How do I restore Outlook
Express".
> > > Now what exactly is one to read from that? That your system is
running OK
> > > but not Outlook Express or perhaps that you have reinstalled Win Me
and
> > > now want to import your backed up Outlook Express message store?
> > >
> > > I'm sorry but I've decided that I can see little point in my
continuing
> > > posting to this thread which just leaves me to wish you the best with
> > > whatever you eventually decide to do.
> > >
> > > Oh, and in the meantime why not import those all important ten years
of
> > > Outlook Express messages into your working system whilst you are
working
> > > out how to proceed. My previous post told you how to do that. At
least
> > > then you'd have the satisfaction then of knowing you hadn't lost those
> > > messages.
> > > --
> > > Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> > > mike.maltby@gmail.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Mark Garron <caia@xigo.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Well you guys have got me shaking my head. Are you trying to wind me
> > > > up? I trust you are trying to help and not just tease me. I don't
> > > > know what to make of your reply.
> > > >
> > > > What have I established. Every piece of data from the old drive is
> > > > still there except what I need to boot.
> > > > If I go forward with a fresh install on a new drive how do I get all
> > > > my programs to work without going through the very labourious task
on
> > > > installing every program that I had on the previous drive. Outlook
> > > > express was an example. Sure I have a copy of outlook express on the
> > > > new system but I don't have all the emails that I have received in
> > > > the last 10 years. So Forgive me for trying to do this an easy way
> > > > and not the hard way.
> > >
>