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Latitude System Disk Problem
I have a Latitude Laptop C800 Model No. PP01X. Windows Milennium OS (English). SONY CD-RW CRX700E. Purchased in Japan, but with all English Software, which came with CD-Drive (Read/Write capability). I was using a 1-GB Flash Memory Stick to transfer files from this Laptop (a storage file on my Laptop's desktop) over to another Dell Dimension XPS desktop computer. I shut this Latitude computer down but during the process of it shutting itself off, I realized that the Memory Stick was still in the Port. I pulled it out quickly; the Laptop finished its shut-down procedure. Several days later, I attempted to turn the Latitude laptop computer back on, however, it quickly shows a message on the computer screen that says:
"Invalid system disk
Replace the disk, and then press any key"
The only thing that I can think of that might have caused this problem is the fact that I pulled the Flash Memory Stick out before shutting down the Latitude last time. Unfortunately, I have moved files onto and off of the Flash Memory Stick numerous times since that date, and now even inserting the Flash Memory Stick into the Port and rebooting the Latitude will not reset the computer. I continue to get the above "Invalid system disk..." warning, and the computer will not boot up at all. I cannot get past this error message. There is still more than 1.5 GB of info files on this Latitude that I need to keep, so I think that I cannot try to reconfigure the whole computer without losing this info.
Can anyone tell me how to reboot the system, run a systems check on the computer so it will fix itself, or any other advice on what I might try?
I will constantly monitor this Bulletin Board for your suggestions, but you can also send me an e-mail at me98@yahoo.com
Thank you so much.
- SpeedStep: I do not think there is physical damage to the disk. I checked and there is no floppy disk in the Drive. How do I obtain, and then load the Live LINUX Boot CD if my computer will not Boot Up past the Systems Error? Could I use any Boot CD or it has to be a specific one created for this laptop 5 years ago when the computer was given to me by my former employer? How do I do a Repair Install?
@mje98 wrote:
SpeedStep: I do not think there is physical damage to the disk. I checked and there is no floppy disk in the Drive. How do I obtain, and then load the Live LINUX Boot CD if my computer will not Boot Up past the Systems Error? Could I use any Boot CD or it has to be a specific one created for this laptop 5 years ago when the computer was given to me by my former employer? How do I do a Repair Install?
You need to borrow a working machine with CDRW drive.
Puppy linux is a good one cuz its small. Will fit on a 2 inch CD or Full Cd as its only 64 megs. Or you can buy one from a source for $20. Its free if you make your own CD. You should record it at 4X or 8X speed max for best results.
http://www.puppyos.com/cd-puppy.htm
ISO images from:
ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/
- Have you thought of removing the drive and use on of those ide to usb kits (found on ebay for less than $12 USD) to add the drive as a secondary device to a working machine with USB enabled...? This has worked wonders for me on customer machines... Especially when keeping the OS didn't matter and only the data was needed... Or just install Windows XP on the unit, the only files in danger are predominantly the system files... which isn't a big deal anyway, unless you just want to keep WinME... The linux disk is a great option as well... There are several utilities that will allow you to boot that system and recover the data from the drive in a GUI environment... one such utility is UBCD for Windows... Just search for it using your favorite search engine, you will be amazed by the functionality...debonairOne...
speedstep
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Posted June 5th, 2006 13:00