I understand. It's very frustrating when a HDD crashes. If you aren't able to access the drive normally AND you would like to get a back up of the data as it exists now, we have 2 options.

You could make a Linux boot disk as instructed above and see if that will let you boot and access windows. From there you would be able to copy the data.

OR you could remove the drive from the system, place it in another computer as the 2nd HDD non-booting. You should be able to access the data as long as the HDD isn't a boot drive.

Do you wish to try either of these methods or would you like to format and start over, going with what you have currently as your data backup?

I think I'd like to start from scratch and restore what we can from the flash drive and the WD drive, if that's OK with you. I can reinstall most of the software I had on it, so that won't be a problem; just time consuming. This way, I will have more control on what actually ends up on it as opposed to continuing the problem by keeping what I've got. Do you have the patience to work with me on this? I can be dense sometimes (but always willing).

Maureen

Yes, of course. I would be delighted to work with you. There might be a handoff over the weekend as I will be away from late Friday through late Sunday. I'll see if DIIRE is available to step in while I'm out.

You do have your original CD, right? I believe that you've had to use that already, so am fairly confident that you have it close. ;-)

Do you need format instructions?

Yes, I have the disc. And, yes, if you wouldn't mind giving me instructions, I would feel better about it.

Maureen,

I believe that Microsoft offers one of the more complete instructions for formatting.

How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup program

Configure your computer to start from the CD or DVD drive

To start your computer from the Windows XP CD, your computer must be configured to start from the CD or DVD drive. In some cases, you may have to modify your computer's BIOS settings to set this configuration. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD or DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.

If you have a computer that cannot start from the CD or DVD drive and you need to start your computer from the startup disk, make sure that you have the floppy setup disks so that you can run the Setup program from the floppy disk drive.

Note You can obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks from Microsoft, but only by download. We provide the Setup boot disks so that you can run the Setup program on computers that cannot use a bootable CD-ROM. If you can start your computer from a CD-ROM or from a network-based installation, we strongly recommend that you use those installation methods instead. Future products will no longer support installation by using the Setup boot disks.


Format the hard disk and install Windows XP

1. <LI type=a>Use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER. <LI type=a>Select the format option that you want to use to format the partition. You can select from the following options:
   • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick) (RECOMMENDED)
   • Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
   • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
   • Format the partition by using the FAT file system
   • Leave the current file system intact (no changes)
   Notes (should not apply to you, but leaving for information)
   • If the selected partition is a new partition, the option to leave the current file system intact is not available.
   • If the selected partition is larger than 32 gigabytes (GB), the FAT file system option is not available.
   • If the selected partition is larger than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT32 file system (you must press ENTER to confirm).
   • If the partition is smaller than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT16 file system.
   • If you deleted and created a new System partition, but you are installing Windows XP on a different partition, you are prompted to select a file system for both the System and Startup partitions.
   <LI type=a>Press ENTER.
2. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install Windows XP.
3. After the Windows Setup program is finished and you have restarted the computer, you can use the Disk Management tools in Windows XP to create or format more partitions if you wish. For additional information about how to use the Windows XP Disk Management tools to partition and format your hard disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 309000 (How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP ) How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

OK, I got your instructions. I'll start on it right away and let you know when I'm done.
Thanks much.
Maureen

Excellent. If you have *any* questions, Maureen - I'm here. Don't hesitate to ask.