[aechain]

Friend installed a program (powerISO I think) on her laptop, and the next day an error message began popping up saying "syntax error". We tried to reboot the computer because I was going to start it in safe mode and try to run antivirus/spyware software but now I can't even get Windows to boot. When I try to, it says something about a disk error.

It's an older IBM thinkpad running Windows XP. When it starts up it says "press the blue Access IBM button to interrupt normal startup", pressing f8 has no effect. So I press the Access IBM button. I have run several diagnostics tests and nothing comes up.

I can't even startup in Safemode. So we may have to reinstall Windows, but there is alot of important documents - contracts, tax information, family photos, etc. that we really don't want to lose! Any way I can salvage this so I don't lose it all during the reinstall?

[Aceras]

if you just "repair" windows it won't touch any of your files. of course as i stated in another thread, when i do so it tends to make me reinstall programs before i can use them again.

[aechain]

What do you mean by "repair" windows? A boot disk? How do I make this?

[evilfantasy]

Repair install - http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Ultimate boot disk - http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_B...NT2K_d518.html

[Dave8282uk]

Before you decide to format, try using the xp cd on boot up and run the xp recovery console, and in command prompt try the following:

1 chkdsk /r
2 fixmbr (I dont think its the boot record, but worth a try)
3 fix boot
4 bootcfg /rebuild

Restart without the cd, see if it boots up.

If unsuccessful try a repair installation, fingers crossed that may work, its worked for me over the years, when ive had simular problems. good luck

[aechain]

Alright. I'm going to try to back up important files on an external hardrive with a linux LIveCD before I try any of this.