Following install of anti-spyware s/w I was forced to uninstall 'inksaver' as an application file had been lost. When I started-up Windows 2000 after un-install, the system re-booted at point where desktop should first appear and has continued to do so since - I cannot access anything in the system. I immediately got hold of new, enhanced PC (with XP Pro) as I use my PC for business as well as personal needs, but I need to access business files in the system.
I would be grateful for advice as to how I might be able to get into the old system, or failing that, should I (or could I) resort to putting old HDD into new system as a slave drive? (new system has no Primary Slave, 2nd HDD as Secondary Master with CD as Secondary Slave). Whilst I am 'computer literate' after 20 years of working with PCs, and am fairly familiar with what goes on inside the case, I am no techie!

did you try starting in safe mode
and if you can try rerunning the install for Win 2000

Many thanks dronestar, Yes, I have tried safe mode but it makes no difference and unfortunately I cannot rerun Win 2000 install as I do not have the application software (mine was originally installed within a corporate network set-up).
I have now solved one of my problems by temporarily installing the HDD as slave in my new system and transferring the files I need, but I would like to be able to reinstate my old system without having to shell out for a new OS.

your advice is much appreciated!

sorry i didn't get back to you sooner.
but without the Win 2000 disk your cant really do anything as you need it to fix your problem as it sounds like you have a problem with the boot file. but since you have it in another computer i would format it and then youd have that much more HD space on the new computer or get WIN 2000 disk.

I've been dual-booting between Window98se and Win2000 for two years or so on a particular PC I use, and when I upped its RAM from 512 MBs to 1 GB, I stirred up a hornet or two. I've repaired the Win98 install to some extent with an over the top install, and then running the MS Security roll-up CD from Feb 2004 got it going, though I'm still not able to get Win98 back onto the 'Net, and the Recycle Bin is broken.

For about a month, all I had was Win2000, and since I seldom need Win98, I didn't pursue that problem (it was hanging up on a blank, black screen, with just a blinking cursor in the top right when attempting to boot up). Then, I upgraded AVG Free from 7.1 to 7.5, and shortly afterward, a similar boot failure began to affect Win2000.

At about the point where a GUI should appear, Win2000 just spontaneously reboots. This occurs whether it's in a diagnostic (Safe) mode pattern, or normal. I have tried the second of the repair options, the one that comes up after choosing to install, and had the OS running long enough to add the SP4 (from that Feb 2004 Security CD), but when I tried to go beyond that, the problem returned.