i hate to say it but i think you may have to reinstall but i woulg leave it a couple of days just in case another viewer has any other ideas that i can not think of sorry to bear bad news spud

If your new 20gig is working OK just install the 80 as a slave. Assuming that the drive is mechanically functional you should be able to access the data.

The installed programs will probably not run but data is retrievable.

If you want to try to reboot the 80 here is a possibility:

If you cannot boot into Windows I would suggest first trying the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307654

To try to fix the boot:

Assuming that your XP is on C: then:

Type:

FIXMBR C:

then enter. After that completes type:

FIXBOOT C:

then enter. After that completes type:

BOOTCFG /rebuild

then enter. After that completes type:

EXIT

then reboot.

If in the process you are asked to run chkdsk say YES.

Also after the BOOTCFG /rebuild you will be prompted to:

C:\Windows
1. Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
2. Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
3. Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)

Reply:
1. Yes
2. XP
3. /fastdetect

If this fails you can run a Repair Install that will leave your data intact:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Originally Posted by jephree

If your new 20gig is working OK just install the 80 as a slave. Assuming that the drive is mechanically functional you should be able to access the data.

The installed programs will probably not run but data is retrievable.

If you want to try to reboot the 80 here is a possibility:

Thank you very much for your help.
I will try it over the weekend.

Hi:
I tried using the 80gb hd as a slave and am able to see the username and the windows
files; but I am not able to access the username that shows or the desktop which is
where I had all my files and folders.
I also tried installing a fresh copy of windows(keeping the old settings); but I am
still not able to see the old "desktop".
Is there a way that I can retrieve files from the old "desktop"?
Please advise.
Thanks

Right click the drive in question & choose Explore. Then expand (click +) Documents and Settings then Administrator (or user of choice) then Desktop.

As Desktop icons are usually shortcuts you might also check directly under Program Files as well.

Originally Posted by jephree

Right click the drive in question & choose Explore. Then expand (click +) Documents and Settings then Administrator (or user of choice) then Desktop.

As Desktop icons are usually shortcuts you might also check directly under Program Files as well.

Hi:
I tried that; but the "expand" section is shaded and I have not access to it.
The Desktop icons(2) I am looking for are not shortcut, they are just
folders that I had on the desktop.
Thanks

At what level is this grayed out? Can you open Documents and Settings? Administrator?

See if anything here helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Hi:
I have reset the jumpers on the 80gb hardrive to slave(D) and I can explore
the contents as far as D/windows; but when I try to access the username "tito"
which was the old adminstrator I can not. I get a "drive not accesible or in use"
message.
Is there any other place I can see/copy my old desktop?
Please advise.
Thanks

Is this Home or Pro?

Was/is Tito an Admin account that you created or was it the built-in Admin account?

These answers could affect options. Try accessing as is from Safe Mode. If you still cannot open Tito in Safe Mode try the main (built-in) Administrator account then Tito under that listing if listed.

Another try is to put the old drive on the secondary master (temporarily replace your DVD/CD drive)(reset the jumpers back to Master). Being on the same cable could be causing issues.

Thanks a lot man.
I had set up my xp home upgrade with my name Jose Depena and
the Admin user as my nickname "tito".
I have it already on the secondary master.
I went back and tryed to install windows again without formatting and chose the
"keep old settings" options and it works fine, except I can not go in the desktop
I had set up for "tito".
When I click on "my computer" I see that the hardrive has the space ocupied; but I can not
get into the desktop.
Thanks