it should be a simple matter to burn iso's in Nero but that said let me just point you here for how to do it (with a freeware tool)

Am about to run out but when i return i'll post the MD5 hash sums for the other 2 download disks as well (so we know your download was also good)

i just need one of those iso files right?

The 3 disks vary in the set of recovery tools contained on each disk.

>> Some tools happen to be common and can be found all 3 disks ( I haven't checked is most likely chkdsk command will be found on all 3. and chdsk /r is the first command you should be using to attempt recovery

>> So, in generalit can be helpful to have all 3 disks available for use. Tho whether you actually need all 3 remains to be determined.

For now, I'll assume the one you downloaded so far is Windows Recovery Console. For now, try to get it burned (per instructions in last post) and let's try to get your system to boot from it. Once you burn it on friends computer you should be able to look at its contents on friends computer to see the normal folder/files listed as you're used to seeing.

Then you want to move it to your computer and try to boot from it.

See this for the full list of commands/tools to be found on the Windows Recovery Console boot cd

alright i got the disk burnt using the iso recorder (i burnt the rc.iso file to it).

set my bad laptop to boot from the cdrom first and still nothing.

i can open the disk and see the files on it.

I really do appreciate the time ur spending on this with me. normally i would just wait till i got back so i can get my recovery disk. but i have alot of important info on the comp i need.

First off, glad to help as best i can

And as for your machine and recovering your HD,
1) we will first try to get your computer to boot from CD. Once we can boot from CD
2) There's a couple ways to go to try and recover:
>> First is Full drive recovery. which is ideal (assuming it's possible) and would get you back to a Windows bootable HD drive along with your personal files still on the HD
>> Second is Personal File Recovery. In this case, we care less about getting Windows fixed on your HD vs. simply getting access to your personal files on your HD so you can copy/save them somewhere

So first order of business is getting your machine to boot from CD
1) You should double check your model number (check for a metal tag on your computer will all your info)
>> fyi.. you reported an hp dv4040us
>> but the bios info you reported would seem to indicate a dv4030us (it seems when i use it on hp site or search it online)?
So i just want to be sure
2) You have an internal CD drive right?
3) Since you can see the files on the CD it should've been created OK but you might also want to try booting that CD on your friend's computer (if any question about if the issue is the CD vs your computer)
4) When you first start your computer, you see the HP "flash" screen. Look along the top of the screen (usually to the right) as usually it gives Function key (Fn) options (e.g.
>> Is there an F-key recovery option? and/or an F-key boot menu option?
>> As in addition to changing BIOS boot order you'll often find a boot menu where you can manually select the device

And once we can get your machine booted the FIRST order of business would be to run chkdsk /r so to verify the HD filesystem

/* edIT */
and just a reminder, that chkdsk may take a long time to run. Which means waiting for a screen change while running chkdsk to take 30+ minutes before thinking it might be hung

the computer tag on the bottom says the computer is a dv4040us
and yes i have an internal cd rom
i tried the disk in my roommates computer. but his original bootup disk aint working either. the problem is he has the only other computer with xp on it. all the rest have vista.

and unfortunately it has functions but they r only (esc) - to change boot order (F10) to enter setup (F12) to boot from LAN

First, want to reconfirm something I happened to re-read your earlier posts and want to be 100% certain: In post #10 replied with So just to double check/confirm that means you already tried tapping F8 on power up and you can’t boot into the Advanced Startup Options Menu either (which would allow you to try Safe Mode boot or System Restore via command prompt )

And here’s what I’m thinking is most direct way to try recovering your files from your hard drive
>> We'll attempt to get your data on your HD without trying to fix all of Windows to get there (having to fix Windows first can be a pain. You can do that once you get home with your install disks)
>> It requires booting from CD (if that keeps failing we can also try booting from a USB flash drive. Do you have a USB flash? You’ll also need USB flash so we can copy and save your files on the USB flash device)
>> We’re gonna try to first boot from Recovery Console CD to check your HD filesystem (and repair any corruption)
>> Then we’ll need a new boot disk so we can boot your computer into an alternative Operating System (called Knoppix). Then we'll plug in the USB flash drive and copy your files from HD to flash device (while your computer is running Knoppix - not Windows)

Note you can test the boot disks on ANY computer. It doesn’t matter if the computer you test with normally runs XP or Vista because you will be booting from CD (and not attempting to boot from the HD which contains XP or Vista)

Wanted to post the above to get back to you with some info. I’ll be following up to post details/instructions. And see how large a USB flash device you might find

/* EDIT */
Here's more info about the chkdsk command. You'll be entering chkdsk /r (once we can boot!)

oh yeah im able to boot from the cd now


Im running chkdsk /r right now

Good deal!!

Remember it can take a long time. Something like "%complete" display may take 30+ minutes to change on the screen.. so don't jump the gun assuming it may be hanging

Also... i'm going to point you to one more .iso download for Knoppix.

Hopefully, this boot CD will make it easy to get to your files (after having done the chkdsk OK)

Knoppix runs on MOST hardware (let's hope your HP isn't gonna give us grief)

1) Go to Knoppix home page
2) Click the Downloads
3) Select a download site near you
4) You want v6.01 English so look for a download named KNOPPIX_V6.0.1CD-2009-02-08-EN.iso and download it (that's the big download) and burn it
5) Also download KNOPPIX_V6.0.1CD-2009-02-08-EN.iso.md5 (is quick download and gives you the MD5 hash for the first download to verify you got it OK
6) fyi.. just as for other bootable CDs this cd can be tested/worked on any of your bud's computers

When Knoppix starts, simply hit ENTER (or let it timeout) to select any default options when we first try to start it

Have you found a USB flash drive? You have one there? Know how big it is? We'll need flash drive to move your files from HD and let you save to USB flash

/* EDIT */
>> So once chkdsk is done, you would boot from Knoppix
>> Hopefully that will boot up and you'll see a new user interface (fairly intuitive tho)
>> The first icon along the bottom on the left will list all your programs (similiar to Windows)
>> The icon to its right is a file/folder explorer. You should be able to click it still see all your files?? (we hope!)
>> Close file explorer. Plug in a USB flash. open explorer. Is the USB recognized? If not, we may need to reformat the USB flash first. So make sure nothing on it that is needed.
>> I'll post back a bit later with the link for the USB flash drive format routine (should you need it)

I have a 320 GB external hard drive. used through usb of course

Actually, that should be just fine too. (I kept thinking in terms of a USB flash drive for use both as
>> a bootable device and
>> file storage (for saving your HD files)

But since you're booting just fine from CD an external USB HD should fit the bill!)

alright lookinaround,

Got the computer up and running did a bunch of test. found nothing else wrong.
did the backup through knoppix and everything is all good.

I greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks again