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rjbinney

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R

rjbinney

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July 22nd, 2006 15:00

Reinstallation CD - Windows

I dropped my laptop, and it won't boot.
 
I was going to try to boot and perhaps repair with the Windows XP Reinstallation CD that came with it....
 
Will that end up reformatting my hard drive?
 
Most everything important is backed up, but I sure hate to lose everything.
 
Thanks
  • MG

    Mary G

    6 Operator

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    20095 Posts

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    Posted July 22nd, 2006 15:00

    That's looking for a miracle. You obviously damaged something. You need to open the case and reseat everything and look for broken/loose connections, part, etc. Booting to the cd will allow a Repair, but that won't work if the computer is damaged. If you're not comfortable with that and you don't have Complete Care, take it to a repair shop for diagnosis.
  • R

    rjbinney

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    Posted July 22nd, 2006 16:00

    Understood it's a long shot. It's where I need to start.

    So, the question is, if I load the Dell-supplied Reinstall CD, will it attempt to boot first? Or will it reformat first?

    Thanks.

  • P

    pauljames

    14 Posts

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    Posted July 22nd, 2006 17:00

    The only thing it's going to do when you put it in the drive is boot up, go into Windows setup, load a bunch of files it may need into memory, then ask you what you want to do and give you several choices. It won't format unless you go into reinstallation and tell it to do so..

    Message Edited by pauljames on 07-22-200601:58 PM

  • S

    Sriram13

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    Posted July 23rd, 2006 03:00

    I have attached a reinstall guide which would be useful to you in reinstalling windows xp using the windows xp cd. The reinstall guide link is as follows...
     
     
    Note: If you are manually reinstalling windows xp using the windows xp cd, performed the steps titled under '5b. Install Windows Using the Windows XP CD'...  Please do take a backup of all the data on your hardware and start the installation as you would loose all the data on your hard drive.
  • R

    rjbinney

    7 Posts

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    Posted July 27th, 2006 02:00

    It boots off of a live Linux disc, and I can see all my files. So I'm assuming somehow the knock has damaged part of the HD where Windows sits...
     
    So, is there a good XP diagnostic I can run (under Linux!) that will find what's corrupt and help me fix it?
     
    Thanks.
     
    (Miracles happen)

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