Windows XP Home SP3 Cant boot into safe mode from a crash Sony laptop VGN-A790

Anonymous
2014-07-19T12:58:49+00:00

I get to the window that shows safe mode safe mode with networking, and last good configuration none of which works. If I choose safe mode, I get a black screen with a long list, such as multi(0) disk(0)  rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\compbatt.sys and about 50 others.

I am not sure if this happened because I updated java plug in later reading with xp it should be uninstalled, since there is no longer support for xp. The only recovery disc I have is for xp pro sp 2, but I need to get one that is xp home with sp3. XP home came installed on the laptop at purchase, and has since been updated to sp3. Is there a way to create a bootable disc using sp3 from a computer using windows 7, I have borrowed from a friend for 48 hours.

The only other disc I have is the one that sets it back to factory settings supplied by Sony, but can't do that, since I will loose files. The disc wont do it anyway since I have ie7 or 8 and SP3 is installed.  I have tried F8 multiple times with no luck, however I am using a wireless keyboard, although the arrow keys work to choose safe mode, after that,  I can't get past the long list (example above), and leaving it idle at the screen with the list sends it back into a recycle of reboot. Choosing anything else in the list does nothing including last good config. I have no known way of seeing a blue screen.

I have no backup of files and can't loose 10 years of work, etc. I had  a similar issue once before when my hard drive died about 3 years ago, but since have replaced the hard drive, and files were transferred using Ubuntu. I could download ubuntu to a USB drive that is bootable and try that I just don't recall from the last time if I left that option available in the bios for future issues in case I needed it but I think I did, if there is a way that I can fix it using Ubuntu? I won't be replacing this computer until November, so I need to get it back working again, any help or suggestions will be much appreciated as I was in the middle of a job.

Kindly,

Stacey

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-26T19:58:02+00:00

    It is the computer hard drive I am referring to.  You need 1 GB free space to perform the procedure.

    LifeHacker slipstream instructions using nlite

    http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-26T21:03:05+00:00

    I have 395 GB of space on this windows 7 laptop

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-28T11:45:32+00:00

    I don't know if you missed it, but I already tried nLite, see the post from the 24th, that is the error I was showing you. I guess I'm out of options now that neither nLite, or the command line Dont work. 

    Another one of the errors I showed you is the exact same same instructions, except I used sp2 instead of sp3, in your response on the 25th, and another one of your links, is for using autostreamer which I have already downloaded but not tried, since the directions say to use a retail version of xp home to slipstream, I will try it later today, but since my version is OEM, I don't think it's going to work, I have a question out to nLite, as to weather or not any of this will work with OEM, hope they have an answer soon.

    Otherwise, I think I have to buy a new cd, don't know what else to do.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-28T22:56:06+00:00

    One solution is to wipe the drive clean.  Reinstall Windows and since you have saved SP3 install it from the flashdrive you've saved it to once Windows is reinstalled.  You can use Active Kill Disk or Softpedia DP Wiper (free utilities) then reinstall Windows from the rom.

    Ultimate Boot CD (Free)

    http://ultimate-boot-cd.joydownload.com/?c=23&gclid=CJKj4MiM6b8CFQszaQodfJYAQQ

    Bart's way to create bootable CD-Roms (for Windows/Dos)

    http://www.nu2.nu/bootablecd/

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-07-29T04:26:21+00:00

    Well, I just found out from nLite forums, you can't use a windows 7 machine to make a windows xp disk, Slipstreaming a service pack with nLite in Windows Vista\7 is a no go. If you do the key will not be recognizable. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950722 (Boils down to pidgen.dll file differences)

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