Recover data from crashed XP.

You need to save your user data (not programs as they must be installed from the programs installation routine) to a removeable media such as a CD, DVD, external drive, etc. 

 

If you have programs that you downloaded from the internet, you can also save those providing you have the complete installation program.

 

I assume the Dell tech is referring to "removing" by doing a format on your hard drive before you reinstall everything.  The normal reinstall procedure on most Dell's is (1) install the Operating System (you can boot from the Windows XP install CD - just set the CD as the first boot drive in the BIOS) (2) install chipset drivers (3) install device drivers (e.g. sound) (4) install programs and restore backed up user data (4) reinstall peripherals (and disconnect any peripherals from the PC before doing the reinstall).

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dud0288 wrote:

My Dell tech told me my XP mouse problem (arrow will not move) was not parts related, but is a fault of my Inspiron B 120 Windows XP program. To fix the O/S an uninstall/reinstall must be performed. This will destroy all saved work. He did say files and folders could be copied to another medium, before deleting, and then restored to the new O/S.

Sounds to good to be true. Is it and how is it done?

Prior to doing anything, you should visit the proper forum here and explain your issue carefully.  The Dell Tech telling you to reinstall XP with an uninstall/reinstall is clearly poorly trained - you don't "uninstall" an OS, and with Dell PC Restore (CTRL F11 on reboot) there is no reason to reinstall XP vs. making the computer "as shipped". 

Have you tried deleting the mouse from Device Manager, then rebooting?

I agree.  A reinstall needed becasue a mouse driver (?) is bad.  Way too overboard.

Hi Rick,

 

Thanks for your response to my problem. I probably used the wrong terms to describe what the tech said needed to be done. Be that as it may, the hope I have is to transfer the information on the computer to a place where it can later be retrieved and restored to the machine after it is cleaned up and operable.

My mouse arrow will not move using either the wired control or the pad. Is there another way to reach the devise Manager?

Lastly, the Ctrl F11 combination boots me to my desktop Icon screen. It contains a white background, an exclamation mark in a triangle and a message telling me how to continue. Unfortunately I can’t proceed without having a workable mouse to execute the instructions.

John

 

Hi Jack,

 

 

I may have stated the problem badly. I cannot get my mouse to work. Either the wired add on or the  keyboard pad control. Most replies I have been getting assume there is mouse control.

 

When I boot, the desktop screen  appears with a white background, an exclamation mark in a triangle and a message telling me how to continue. Unfortunately I can’t proceed without having a workable mouse to execute the instructions. Is this any help?

 

John 

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dud0288 wrote:

Hi Rick,

 

Thanks for your response to my problem. I probably used the wrong terms to describe what the tech said needed to be done. Be that as it may, the hope I have is to transfer the information on the computer to a place where it can later be retrieved and restored to the machine after it is cleaned up and operable.

My mouse arrow will not move using either the wired control or the pad. Is there another way to reach the devise Manager?

Lastly, the Ctrl F11 combination boots me to my desktop Icon screen. It contains a white background, an exclamation mark in a triangle and a message telling me how to continue. Unfortunately I can’t proceed without having a workable mouse to execute the instructions.

John

Push the Windows key, then the "C" key until you get to Control Panel, hit enter, then the "S" key until you get to System, then hit enter, then...  using arrows, letters, and enter you can accomplish deleting the mouse drivers, then rebooting.

First you can try booting to Safe Mode, F8 on startup, to see if that works for you.

I think I have tried every possible combination of working the windows flag key and the keyboard “C” key to acquire the control Panel. None of the tries have been successful. Is there another way to reach the control panel? I can open and close the CD drawer.

John

If you can not reach the Control Panel by using the Windows Key and then the C key. you must have some spyware playing.  You can do anything in Windows with a keyboard wihtout a mouse.

 

Have you tried Safe Mode as Rick suggested?

Hi everyone,

 

When I boot in F8 Safe Mode the screen that appears asks me to click my user name. I cannot do this without Mouse control. If it is a virus preventing me from executing the Windows flag key / C key command, I don’t know how to deal with that either.

John

Have you tried the tab key?  Have you also thought that your keyboard may be bad?

The tab key would allow you to move between options on any given page.

 

"No reason to think the keyboard is bad"...I've seen hard drives DOA fresh out of the box.

Good morning,

 

Thanks for your interest.

 

 I have no reason to think the keyboard may be faulty. The machine is less than a year old and treated kindly. I will check with Dell and see if they can test it.

 

 How would a Tab key be used to free up my mouse?

 

Thanks to all,

 

John

Good morning jmwills,

The keyboard test (CTRL/F12) of my machine passed. I cannot get beyond a desktop screen to be able to try the tab key, as you suggested. I tried the one-hour plus diagnostic exam, it yielded no errors. With that outcome, I have taken my machine to a repair shop for their try. It may be time to just junk it and move on.

So with that, I quit but wish to thank all who offered help with my problem and if I ever learn anything useful, I will post it. Thanks again and merry Christmas to all.

John

 

A cheap diagnostic would also be a new keyboard, or one borrowed from a freind.

 

Well my machine finally came back from the repair shop. The tech was unable to recover the existing folders or files. But I do have it in working order. Again I want to thank all for the help with getting me back in business.

John