New Hard drive Recovery CD

C

Carlina J

1st, I think my hard drive is shot. First of all, I have limited access to my computer, what can I do to test my hard drive?
My Dos knowledge is limited, therefore I need simple steps, however, I have some basic knowledge.

2nd, if my hard drive is shot, will my HP recovery CD (Windows xp home edition) work? Is there enough info on the cd to install the full version of Windows XP? HP had the bright idea of not including the actual Windows CD, they give you a recovery CD only if you ask. They have the actual backup recovery on the hard drive, not thinking what happens if it crashes and dies!

I need to know if I have to buy a hard drive, the complete Windows XP ($199) or both?

I hope to fix the computer over the next couple of days.
 
D

darkrats

Your Recovery CD will work even if your replace your HD. Running it will put
your computer back the way it was when you bought it.

What makes you think the HD is shot?
Are your problems specific to Office, or are there additional troubles.

More information would be good.



Carlina J said:
1st, I think my hard drive is shot. First of all, I have limited access
Click to expand...
to my computer, what can I do to test my hard drive?
My Dos knowledge is limited, therefore I need simple steps, however, I have some basic knowledge.

2nd, if my hard drive is shot, will my HP recovery CD (Windows xp home
Click to expand...
edition) work? Is there enough info on the cd to install the full version
of Windows XP? HP had the bright idea of not including the actual Windows
CD, they give you a recovery CD only if you ask. They have the actual
backup recovery on the hard drive, not thinking what happens if it crashes
and dies!
 
C

Carlina J.

Where do I begin... first of, we have been getting windows blue "kernel" screens for a while. I have used system recovery (from HP hard drive) at least 3 x. HP is only a little over 1 yr old new. I don't ever remember being able to run defrag for months, it starts, gets to 3% and blue screen. (can't remember the error). My teenager had viruses, I had up to date Virus software after the fact and cleaned everything up. However, still had little problems

Now...the computer will start into windows... goes from HP logo, to Windows XP Loading.... then blue screen... "unmountable_boot_ volume. tech info stop: 0x000000ed (ox82e72c08, 0xc0000006, 0x00000000, 0x00000000

I can't start in "safe mode" or anything. I contacted HP, they sent me the Recovery CD. I changed Bios to boot from CD as instructed.... I boot from CD, I get to the press "R" to repair ( i tried other ops too, nothing helps), at bottom of computer it shows "examining 76317 mb disk 0 at ID0 on bus 0 atapi... " it stays that way for awhile.... then goes to dos screen showing the ususal:
Micrsoft Console provides sytem repair & recovery functionality....
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console & restart the computer....
Now for the bad part!!!!!!!!! "The path or file specified is not valid" C:

I try typing in windows but says invalid... (I think)

Is it a hard drive problem? Windows XP? Help!!
 
A

Annie Woughman

the newsgroup comp.sys.hp.hardware has a lot of people that are
knowledgeable about HP products
Carlina J said:
1st, I think my hard drive is shot. First of all, I have limited access
Click to expand...
to my computer, what can I do to test my hard drive?
My Dos knowledge is limited, therefore I need simple steps, however, I have some basic knowledge.

2nd, if my hard drive is shot, will my HP recovery CD (Windows xp home
Click to expand...
edition) work? Is there enough info on the cd to install the full version
of Windows XP? HP had the bright idea of not including the actual Windows
CD, they give you a recovery CD only if you ask. They have the actual
backup recovery on the hard drive, not thinking what happens if it crashes
and dies!
 
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