Computer will not boot

[jamoskeag3]

My computer will not boot. It is about 9 years old.
PC starts loading about 3 windows files and then freezes.
I suspect I have a corrupt windows files.
It uses windows XP.

And yes I have tried opening in safe mode, and all the other modes that come up when u press F8 at opening.

I do not care about saving the computer.
I just want to get in long enough to transfer some files to my portable hard drive.

Is there a way to do that so I can access files?
I do have another computer available.

Thanks in advance, Jamos

[UncasMS]

If I were you I'd download a Linux version like Ubuntu, burn the image to CD and then boot from this CD.

You will load into a fully working Ubuntu environment without having to install it and you could use the Linux file manager to access your harddrive and copy anything to a USB HDD or the like.

A good alternative to a Linux CD could be Ultimate Boot CD, from which you could start Parted Magic and inside Parted Magic you will find file managers like Midnight Commander.

Gook luck.

[jamoskeag3]

Uncas,
Your idea sounded like a great one.
I made the Ubunto cd.
Unfortunately, I cant change the BIOS to recognize to boot fom cd.

Is there a plan b.
Someone said maybe i could access old computer by using my new other computer??
Thanks,'
Jamos

[admin]

Other than to take the HDD out and attach it to another computer (either internally, or externally), the Linux live CD method is still the best way to approach this. Is there a reason why you can't change the BIOS settings to boot from CD?

[PurpleDemon]

Try the f10 or f12 or esc keys, that gives a menu to boot device regardless of what its been set in the bios. so u can choose to boot via cd if any of those keys works on ur system.

[jamoskeag3]

I think i may have found the problem.
What i burned to the cd says its an iso file; however it also says its a zip file.Do i have to unzip first, esp since i donnt think unzip function on old compurter is current.
Will all files fit on cd if i unzip them?

[jamoskeag3]

burrell, thanks, the esc key does bring up boot options on my computer.

[UncasMS]

the ubuntu site i linked to provides an ISO so there is nothing to unzip:

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

burn that image with imgburn and it should work just fine

and of course make sure to change the boot sequence in your bios so that the optical drive (cd/dvd) ist the first device

[jaydeee]

would suggest installing your old HDD to another computer to get the data you need.

[doctorhardware]

I have recovered many computers data by using Linux. It is not complicated to do at all.