New WD external drive not being read on XP

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"Most HP and Compaq desktop PCs that ship with Windows Vista and XP do not come with recovery discs. Instead, they use a partition on the hard drive. Using a hard drive partition provides a convenient, more stable recovery solution. To access a hard drive recovery, turn on the computer and repeatedly press F10 (XP) or F11 (Vista) until a Recovery window opens."
--This is like my computer, my Drive D is called HP Recovery, but I also have the recovery disks that were created by HP.
 
I've done research in the past and some more today, and its never guaranteed you wont lose your data. I cant take that chance. I am seeing that a windows xp repair might work, but I dont think I have that disk!

Looks like I'll have to take apart my HP and put my hard drive in an enclosure to back it up first...but Im not good at putting the PC back together lol
 
You should be able to get to the windows recovery console and run chkdsk.

This will check your hard drive for errors. Will update this post in a couple more minutes but wanted to respond

/*********** EDIT ***********/

1. See this KB for chkdsk command usage. Run a /r (repair) operation on each of your hard drive disk volumes. Note the statistics provided when Windows is done with each volume (if only for curiosity later)

2. If you're lucky, you may find that disk file corruption is the only culprit. And, in any case, an XP repair (or any repair) will always check/repair disk issues as its first step

3. If you have a recovery partition am 99% certain it will allow you to get to Windows Recovery Console (to run chkdsk) as well provide you the Windows repair option

4. And if you have the install CDs: repair is an option you get when you start the CDs. They can do an install or repair
 
OK. So i created another post just cause one more VERY important thing to know:

When you run chkdsk /r it can take a very long time to run (especially if it's a large drive). I'm talking a few hours. So DO NOT be alarmed or quick to pull the plug if it appears chkdsk is hanging.

/******** EDIT **********/
And fyi.. if you want to know more about chkdsk you can see [post=686541] this post [/post] as well as skim through that thread

/****** EDIT2 ***/
a) You should find many XP Repair guides online such here. But i think altho this other link on Repair install is more detailed is good detail and should read through.

b) Hope you can past this "bump" and can complete the anti-malware checks mflynn's trying to help you through with this problem
 
OK. And yes, still another post as this just popped into my head as about to run out the door

If your USB HD is readable/working (per your other computer) you should be able to format it there (NTFS)

Then download (15day trial but sounds like you can use it anyway) Acronis True Image.Run it on working computer, the run its Build Rescue Media to create an .iso file you can then burn to a CD. Then use the Acronis Boot CD to boot up your HP and into Acronis and you should be able to backup your current hard drive to your external.

Would have to double check but am thinking should all work as described
 
Thank you. Nothing works. I read the links, and if your computer doesnt boot windows, you need an XP cd. I do not have.
I tried to log on to the Windows Recovery Console on startup, and I get the blue screen: "A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. ..." I restarted as it advises but still got the same message.
I bet what I need to do is restore the registry to one of the times prior to CCleaner making any changes, which I saved a backup each time.
What can I try now :( Anything I missed?->Which might be easy due to breaking my back using a computer on the floor...
 
Before going any further on recovering your HP Pavillion hard drive recommend you download Acronis True Image, build a rescue CD and use it to boot your HP.

I forgot just how good it is. I just used my True Image CD to reboot one of my computers
- Not only does it detect and come up with my USB hard drive as a backup/recovery device
- It also allows me (i see the active option tho haven't used it yet) to mount a network drive. That means if you networked your 2 computers you can also backup your HP disk onto your other computer disk!

Get a copy of that HP disk before going further is best first thing i think
 
I totally agree with LookingAround.

Do you not have friend or relative from whom you could borrow a XP CD?

Mike
 
I'll have to check around first with a few people top of my head. But while I'm waiting, should I still try Acronis? Will the trial perform what I need?

Thanks guys!
 
Well it would be good to get all backed up. A repair install may not work if your OS is very damaged.

And it was not CCleaner that caused this but the Norton removal I've seen it to many times before.

Mike
 
Regardless of finding XP CDs, don't apply any other change to your HP until doing Acronis True Image to guarantee a backup is made of your HP hard drive which sounds quite wise at this point.

I understand the 15days is full functionality so should do all. Of course, after 15 days you can no longer use the Acronis backup image. But the $50USD is well worth a license.

/**** EDIT ****/
I find (online) pricing for the previous version True Image v11 (which i use) less. Or get it in combo with Disk Director to be covered for everything. But if you opt for cheaper/prior version is OK but then don't do download as you'll backup with new version and buying older version may not work with newer version backup. You'd have to wait till you got older version in hand till you ran your backup

/**** EDIT ****/
fyi.. the XP recovery console by itself is downloadable from online which you can then burn to CD. BUT suggest you first do Acronis backup before trying anything more with the HP hard disk

/*** EDIT ***/
And more thing you should understand about the Acronis product: it can do a sector-by-sector copy of your HP hard drive when it does the backup. That means, for example, if you first do the sector-by-sector backup, and then try repairing the drive and try something that completely screws up the HP hard drive you can use the Acronis backup to re-create the image of the HP hard drive EXACTLY as it looked at the moment you did the backup. So you restore it then go try something different for the repair!
 
Thank you both!
This program sounds great. If I just place the .exe file on a blank disk and change my HP to boot from disk, should I be fine? Or the program has to be installed?...
 
You would need to:
  1. Downlaod and install the program on your second computer. Then run it.
  2. Select the Create Bootable Media (or similiar title). This walks you through a wizard which when all done creates a file on your second computer with file extension .iso
  3. .iso (EYE'-so) files can be burned to a CD with any burning software. Whether you have your own burner or take a copy of the .iso file to a friend and burn it
  4. Insert the CD into your HP and power up to boot from CD. Select the option for Full Version when prompted (you need full version for it to detect USB hard drives)
  5. Can provide you the step-by-step for backup later but should give you the idea to get started
 
Excuse the double post but one thing i forgot to mention in Acronis instructions above....

Your USB hard drive is currently empty and unformatted correct? You should format it as NTFS partition using Disk Management on your second computer. I'm not sure if Acronis True Image will recognize it as a USB disk if you don't format it first.
 
Great!

On Acronis, usually on main menu i think but if not look under Tools menu as well

And USB hard drive formatted NTFS? (vs. FAT) just to be sure
 
It's ready!!
But oh boy, dont hate me! I knew about ISO from time, but never felt comfortable enough and always said "I'll learn later, I'll do it this way..." so I guess now is that time! Do you know the quickest/best/easiest way to [teach me to] burn an ISO image to a CD? :$
 
^ Oh - my ISO saved as a file for NTI CD & DVD Maker as that is what I have installed on this computer....I only have DVD-ROM, but have a CD-R/RW drive. Thanks!
 
^ I thought I'd have to download extra software - but maybe not.
I chose Data Disk, clicked the option "Bootable CD" and dragged the iso file to be burned.
I'll go ahead and try it!
 
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