jaclaz

READ the given thread: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504 jaclaz

At least the Vectra needs a lot less gas.... jaclaz

Of course overwritten data CANNOT be recovered, and the CANNOT applies also to data recovery companies. What you can try is using PHOTOREC, the accompanying app to TESTDISK: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec DON'T EVEN THINK of using it from your booted XP on the laptop, every hour, minute, second, that the XP on it is running, something else may be overwritten. You can try using it from a bootCD, like the good UBCD: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ use latest beta: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1786 that includes partedmagic, which includes photorec. Booting it from a USB stick is also possible. You will also need ANOTHER drive to store whatever PHOTOREC will be able to retrieve. Ideally you should remove the HD from your laptop and connect it through a USB interface or as slave with an IDE 2.5" to 3.5" to a working PC, and use the "other" PC's HD to store the recovered files. Even better, you should create a complete clone of the laptop HD on an external drive, (UBCD has several tools for this) and then attempt the recovery from the image on another PC. Please understand that Photorec tries to recover files bypassing the (overwritten) filesystem thus you WILL NOT be able to recover filenames. jaclaz

Apparently, YES. If your disks had developed the LBA0 or BSY you wouldn't be able to access the disks at all, thus, if you can access them and low-level format them, you are NOT in such a condition and you simply have "bad" drives. RMA them if you are still within warranty terms. jaclaz

Also, instead of listing a number of things that you haven't done, you might want to link to the one you've used, so that we know which one you attempted. jaclaz

Well, like "Doc" Brown in Back to the future: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/quotes jaclaz

I can't argue with that, I just can't see what you refer to in my post. Maybe I'm not clear enough. No need to argue , I was trying (failing ) to clear a possible misunderstanding. This: was what I was referring to. From what you report here and on the other thread, and from what Luca's is reporting on the thread on bootland it seems that when the drive is seen as "Removable" it ONLY "sees as "mountable" 1st entry in partition table, i.e. entry #0 for beeblebrox or #1 for Ranish. On the other hand, if the drive is seens as "Fixed" (by flipping the "Removable" bit or using a Filter Driver), all partition entries will be seen "normally". Thus your three conditions: unexistant empty hidden seem to me just two: unexistant or empty (which is the same thing ) hidden Of which the first ONLY applies to drives seen as "Removable", whilst the second applies to BOTH cases of drive seen as "Removable" or "Fixed", this was what I meant: Hope that the above is both clearer and accurate. jaclaz

Yep. ....manually editing the partition table. In the linked to thread we are experimenting to have these changes made automatically from grub4dos at boot time. Only thing user needs to remember doing is to chose the right menu.lst entry when booting, then, after install, re-boot and choose again the right menu.lst entry to revert.... jaclaz

For the record, unlocker should be able to delete such files/folders: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ even "empty name" ones: http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-x...der/144718.html jaclaz

NO. Actually, when you use a hard disk, (which is already seen as "fixed" and thus allow you for more than one partition) a reversed dummydisk.sys is used to make the hard disk appear as removable, as otherwise the windows setup won't work. A possible workaround, NOT a solution, is in the works here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7138 Nothing working (yet ) but maybe in a few days.... jaclaz

Because it is new, exciting, enhanced and the MS experts are sure that it's the best thing for you. Don't want at all to start or cause the start of yet another argument, but you remember a famous soft drink company that had to go back from the "new, enhanced" formula only to the "Classic" one and recently also plans to remove the "Classic" from the bottle/can?: http://adage.com/article?article_id=134222 jaclaz

First thing, you should check your keyboard, it appears defective, like if CAPS LOCK was stuck: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=18408 You won't get non redistributable Microsoft files from here. But you can learn how to do it yourself. Check these threads: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=51140 (usually "tricky" drivers are for Intel or nvidia controllers) Also using driverpacks could be an option: http://driverpacks.net/DriverPacks/ Post info about the SATA controller on your PC.... jaclaz

This is news to me. Care to expand on this? Windows Server 2003 products may use a boot loader file named "Osloader.ntd" (NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM may still exist). I am uncertain between the relationship between the different boot loaders of Windows Server 2003. Well, Osloader.ntd is ONLY used when booting from ADS: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/843536/en-us Probably just like SETUPLDR.EX_ is used instead of SETUPLDR.BIN for PXE/RIS installs/PE's. Of course NOT. B) Basically: You choose a "main" set of loader files, let's say the Windows 2000 ones, and have them in C:\: NTLDR (from win2k) NTDETECT.COM (from win2k) BOOT.INI (with ONLY entries for your Win2k) You add to BOOT.INI this line: Then you add to root the grldr file from grub4dos: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 And a menu.lst containing (among others) entries like: Read the grub4dos guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 Then you create a number of floppy images, like the one depicted on http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy33.htm , each with a given "set" of NTLDR+NTDETECT.COM+BOOT.INI. (and you save them in the ROOT of C:\ or another drive, or in another path on your hard disk) The floppy image can be gzip compressed, or alternatively, Zip compressed if you use memdisk, and memdisk can be gzip compressed, some details are here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...c=3963&st=0 A suitable app for creating floppy images is VFD: http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html A similar approach and some more details: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=127900 jaclaz

not mad. maybe "queer"? jaclaz

Once you have read the guide, things should be already much clear. Then simply browse the Forum: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66 There are lots of examples, from which you can "inspire". Also, the very good thing about grub4dos is that it supports command line mode, in which you can enter commands or edit existing menu.lst entries and see how it behaves, thus you can freely experiment with any set of commands and only write the corresponding menu entry once you are sure it works. jaclaz

Hmmm, it won't be easy. I thought you were familiar (besides the flyakite guide) with the way CDshell works, and more generally XP setup works. If you are looking for a full tutorial like the flyakite one, I don't think that there is one. You need to read the grub4dos guide. And browse/search the grub4dos forum to "get the hang of it". Then, "translate" your current CD/DVD to grub4dos way of working. (guessing that this should be easier than adding grldr to CDSHELL) Basically, you should get latest UBCD, here: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1786 Prepare a menu.lst with the various options, a typical entry for an install or PE (when booted from CD) is: title Install XP PRO find --set-root /I386/SETUPLDR.BIN chainloader /I386/SETUPLDR.BIN Then add to menu.lst the suggested entry for UBCD. Be aware that grub4dos is CaSe SeNsItiVe. Then, without changing the source for your "flyakite" CD/DVD (except adding the menu.lst, grldr and the UBCD .iso) , build a new one with grldr as no-emulation bootsector. Suitable .cmd can be found here: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...18045&st=25 Another option would be to chain from CDSHELL a floppy image .ima containing grldr and menu.lst, or a plain DOS one with grub.exe and menu.lst. I am wondering now if this is a bit "too advanced" for your current knowledge of the matter (NO offence intended ). Let me know if you are willing to invest some time on the project, I can try and help you, but you will have to do most of the work/studying. It's possible that some other member can come out with another, simpler idea for UBCD.... jaclaz Edit: removed double forward slash in sample menu entry.

What about the actual ambulance driver? Just for the record: 1) if you hide a partition, it will be hidden 2) a "clone" of a first partition won't work because of this: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19663 drive letter cannot work, as the offset is different. 3) grldr can be found even on hidden partitions. 4) grub4dos can take care of all the hiding/unhiding/partition entry writing that might be needed There is an on going thread where a solution (hopefully) for a similar problem is "in the works", it may give you some ideas: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...ic=7138&hl= jaclaz

unicorns tend to crash fairly less often. Sorry but I could not resist it.... Seriously, an OEM disc won't be strictly speaking Legally licensed unless you buy also the hardware. However, as always ebay: http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Windo...0QQ_sacatZ41882 http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ...p;_osacat=41882 jaclaz

They are not easy-easy to find. "Professional" toolcases are unjustifiably expensive, as well as "single" screwdrivers. Some "kits" have it, and if you are lucky you can find them in "bits" format: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skytronic-6-PIECE-...T/dp/B000NVUC7C http://www.amazon.com/Torx-Star-Mini-Bit-T5-5/dp/B001LIKRP8 "Normal" bit series has #7 or #8 as smaller. I bought this small set from a Chinese street seller for 3,50 €: http://www.emaxmall.com/FrontStore/iGoodsV...dsId=0040_00006 jaclaz

CD-shell amd the flyakite's guide are a bit "dated" (no offence intended ). Particularly if you want to add UBCD, you may want to try using grub4dos and its .iso to (hd32) mapping capabilities, latest-latest UBCD is also fully compatible with grub4dos. The reference thread is here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6119 Though I never tried it, I guess that grub4dos grldr can be chainloaded by CDshell, just like any NTLDR/SETUPLDR.BIN, if this applies, you can leave the Cd/DVD as-is and simply add the option to CDshell, the UBCD .iso and the grldr. Grub4dos Whereto: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 Grub4dos guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 Grub4dos reported to be working .iso's mapped as (hd32): http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041 jaclaz

AFAIK a way has not been found. Maybe if you use grub4dos to hide the first partition (temporarily)? jaclaz

Did you help me since? I was stuck at the time, and still am. jaclaz

well, 20 hours seems to me a bit premature to actually give up. jaclaz

There are THREE ways to workaround your problem, but none use the "USB as floppy", which CANNOT be done unless you have one of the very few models of sticks that can do that and/or you have one with a "compatible" controller AND you find the specific "manufacturer tool" - and nonetheless you will need the info in 2) below: 1) create a new Cd with integrated drivers 2) use a "real" USB floppy 3) use grub4dos and virtual floppy 1) nlite can do it, as well as several other apps/methods: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504&hl= 2) F6 USB floppy http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=82711 3) grub4dos "virtual floppy" (on USB stick) http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...c=20543&hl= I would try #3), if I were you, as it should be the easiest (without burning another CD). Grub4dos forum: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66 Whereto: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 Guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm There is a FOURTH way out, that you seem not interested in, which is installing XP from the USB stick, of course after integrating drivers as in 1) above, three methods/apps available: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=157 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=111406 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121446 jaclaz

Another one, just for the record: QGUI: http://perso.wanadoo.es/comike/index.html jaclaz