microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin

Hi Shenan,
Thanks for your advice, I read the page carefully. Then tried an option I
hadn't tried before. My first test with the external HD (which I was trying
to recover) was slaved to a VISTA machine (which failed to show me the data
files).

Next I tried an XP Pro laptop - I slaved the same damaged Ext HD and this
time - SUCCESS!

Thank you again for responding with your advice, it certainly triggered my
rethink which resulted in a FIX.

best regards

Doug

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> Doug wrote:
> > After installing SP3 on an XP Home Edition SP2 Dell Laptop, windows
> > booted ok once then failed to boot reporting a msg "missing
> > \system32\hal.dll file".
> >
> > I ran recovery console which couldn't see any XP installation. I
> > typed "R" then searched around the directories. Most of the
> > directories seemed intact. But I couldn't see system32 - hence the
> > "missing \system32\hal.dll" error.
> >
> > I've taken the HD out of the laptop and slaved it to another XP
> > machine to try to recover the Data Files (which of course I don't
> > have a backup of...). I can see the HD Data directories are intact
> > but cannot read the files coz I can't login as the User, coz I
> > don't know how to Logon from the Recovery Console.
> >
> > 1. is there any way I can recover the Data Files - I have the User
> > and pswd info?
> > 2. if not, is there anyway to reinstall Windows XP Home Ed
> > preserving the user data
> > 3. Failing all else. Are there any recovery tools that will enable
> > me to recover the user data?
> >
> > This is the first time using user groups, so I'd appreciate any
> > suggestions for posting this on other user groups?
> >
> > [another interesting aside is that I couldn't view the PID, coz I
> > can't start Wondows. Is there a command line prompt so I can read
> > this from recovery console - then I can post this with the
> > Microsoft team]
>
> If you installed the drive as a slave to another Windows XP installation -
> all you need to do is "Take Ownership" of the files you need to get off it
> and copy them off...
>
> Sounds like you have seen this:
>
> How to Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421
>
> Read *carefully* - do not just skim the page and start following steps.
> There is important information there dependent on the version of Windows XP.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
>