newbie27
asked on
Invalid partition table.
Hello,
I have recently installed Win XP on one of the laptop. It was working all OK until now.
It has suddenly started giving this error "Invalid partition table."
Does not allow me to boot.
Please can someone advise?
thanks
s
I have recently installed Win XP on one of the laptop. It was working all OK until now.
It has suddenly started giving this error "Invalid partition table."
Does not allow me to boot.
Please can someone advise?
thanks
s
ASKER
Hi RDAdams:
Thanks for your input
I am trying to repair XP using its CD, its asking for the administrator password,
although I am giving the correct password it keeps saying the password entered is invalid...
please can you advise?
thanks
s
Thanks for your input
I am trying to repair XP using its CD, its asking for the administrator password,
although I am giving the correct password it keeps saying the password entered is invalid...
please can you advise?
thanks
s
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
hello flubbster:
thanks for your input too
i am unable to get to the command prompt on this dell laptop...
this only gives 2 options f2 and f12
none allows me to type the fixboot command
please advise
thanks for your input too
i am unable to get to the command prompt on this dell laptop...
this only gives 2 options f2 and f12
none allows me to type the fixboot command
please advise
Do you have an XP CD??
If so, you should be able to boot it by setting the CD as the first boot device to get to the recovery Console. Yes/No??
If so, you should be able to boot it by setting the CD as the first boot device to get to the recovery Console. Yes/No??
Try leaving the password blank (just press enter) to see if they placed a blank password.
ASKER
hi flubbster
Yes I do have XP cd and I have so far managed to go the repair XP windows screen
>> to get to the recovery Console
how or where would i find recovery console?
RDAdams:
i have tried leaving the password empty it came back with error message
after 3 trying its taking me to C:\WINDOWS
regardless of this password can i try fixboot?
Yes I do have XP cd and I have so far managed to go the repair XP windows screen
>> to get to the recovery Console
how or where would i find recovery console?
RDAdams:
i have tried leaving the password empty it came back with error message
after 3 trying its taking me to C:\WINDOWS
regardless of this password can i try fixboot?
ASKER
OK, I know what you mean by " to go to the recovery Console"
I am there now but cannot by pass the admin password screen...
I am there now but cannot by pass the admin password screen...
Apparently you did because you go the c:\windows prompt.
if you get there, post back and we will list the steps to take.
if you get there, post back and we will list the steps to take.
ASKER
OK. I have left the password empty it have asked for 3 times and then its now on C:\windows
Initially, it gave me 3 options to choose from
1 D:\Windows
2 F:\windows
3 C:\Windows
Assuming I have my XP on C, I entered 3.
When I did this
C:\Windows\fixboot
The targer partition is F:
Are you sure you want to write a new bootsector to the new partition F:?
Does it not say Partition C: instead of Partition F: above?
Please advise
Initially, it gave me 3 options to choose from
1 D:\Windows
2 F:\windows
3 C:\Windows
Assuming I have my XP on C, I entered 3.
When I did this
C:\Windows\fixboot
The targer partition is F:
Are you sure you want to write a new bootsector to the new partition F:?
Does it not say Partition C: instead of Partition F: above?
Please advise
Actually... if you get there, follow these steps exactly in the order given. Try just hitting enter for the admin password if you have trouble getting to the recovery console.
Once at the C:\Windows prompt, execute the following, hitting enter after each step.
Execute the following commands:
chkdsk /r (will take a while to check the drive)
fixboot (repairs the boot sector if damaged)
fixmbr ( repairs the master boot record if damaged)
attrib -h c:\ntldr
attrib -s c:\ntldr
attrib -r c:\ntldr
attrib -h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -r c:\ntdetect.com
This step assumes that the CD is device "D". If not, use the proper drive letter. You can look at the mapped drives by typing "map" (without quotes) and hitting enter.
copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ntldr
reply "Y" to overwrite
copy d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\ntdetect.com
reply "Y" to overwrite
attrib +h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +r c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +r c:\ntldr
attrib +h c:\ntldr
attrib +s c:\ntldr
exit recovery console and reboot.
Once at the C:\Windows prompt, execute the following, hitting enter after each step.
Execute the following commands:
chkdsk /r (will take a while to check the drive)
fixboot (repairs the boot sector if damaged)
fixmbr ( repairs the master boot record if damaged)
attrib -h c:\ntldr
attrib -s c:\ntldr
attrib -r c:\ntldr
attrib -h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -r c:\ntdetect.com
This step assumes that the CD is device "D". If not, use the proper drive letter. You can look at the mapped drives by typing "map" (without quotes) and hitting enter.
copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ntldr
reply "Y" to overwrite
copy d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\ntdetect.com
reply "Y" to overwrite
attrib +h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +r c:\ntdetect.com
attrib +r c:\ntldr
attrib +h c:\ntldr
attrib +s c:\ntldr
exit recovery console and reboot.
almost forgot.. before exiting the recovery console, also execute this last command:
bootcfg /rebuild
The bootcfg /rebuild command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP installations, and then displays the results. You can add the detected Windows installations.
You may receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)
bootcfg /rebuild
The bootcfg /rebuild command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP installations, and then displays the results. You can add the detected Windows installations.
You may receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)
ASKER
hi flubbster
fixboot (repairs the boot sector if damaged)
fixmbr ( repairs the master boot record if damaged)
attrib -h c:\ntldr
attrib -s c:\ntldr
attrib -r c:\ntldr
attrib -h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -r c:\ntdetect.com
i have the above steps , however when i run the copy command it gave me access is denied
copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ntldr
please can you advise?
thanks
fixboot (repairs the boot sector if damaged)
fixmbr ( repairs the master boot record if damaged)
attrib -h c:\ntldr
attrib -s c:\ntldr
attrib -r c:\ntldr
attrib -h c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -s c:\ntdetect.com
attrib -r c:\ntdetect.com
i have the above steps , however when i run the copy command it gave me access is denied
copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ntldr
please can you advise?
thanks
When you booted into the recovery console, and it asked for the admin password, did you enter it or is it blank and you just had to hit enter?
ASKER
i left it empty ... i know i was typing the password correct, because there only one default password the administrator account, however it was not accepting it.
anything you can advise me on this please?
anything you can advise me on this please?
Once at the command prompt, type this and hit enter (note the space)
c: \
you should now be at a prompt like this:
c:\
try the commands again. If still no luck, we will have to try it another way, by using a special boot cd. First though, try booting normally. There is a chance that the fixboot and fixmbr may have fixed it.
hmmm... may have missed something here. Repeat the fixboot command and fixmbr command as follows:
fixboot c:
fixmbr c:
c: \
you should now be at a prompt like this:
c:\
try the commands again. If still no luck, we will have to try it another way, by using a special boot cd. First though, try booting normally. There is a chance that the fixboot and fixmbr may have fixed it.
hmmm... may have missed something here. Repeat the fixboot command and fixmbr command as follows:
fixboot c:
fixmbr c:
ASKER
flubbster:
i have tried both the above commands you have mentioned above
fixboot c:
fixmbr c:
have rebooted it... still no luck with it
i am getting the same "invalid partition table" error
please advise
thanks
i have tried both the above commands you have mentioned above
fixboot c:
fixmbr c:
have rebooted it... still no luck with it
i am getting the same "invalid partition table" error
please advise
thanks
Follow the steps in my first post to mark the active partition table.
ASKER
hi,
at the recovery console, when i type Diskpart, its actually showing me the partitions on the PC
c:
f: ntfs
d:recovery console
there are only 2 options on the screen, esc and delete the partition
i dont get below options there
Note <PartitionNumber> is the partition number that you want to mark as active. You should receive a message that resembles the following:
Partition <PartitionNumber> is now the selected partition
At the DISKPART command prompt, type Active, and then press ENTER.
At the DISKPART command prompt, type Exit, and then press ENTER
Restart the computer.
at the recovery console, when i type Diskpart, its actually showing me the partitions on the PC
c:
f: ntfs
d:recovery console
there are only 2 options on the screen, esc and delete the partition
i dont get below options there
Note <PartitionNumber> is the partition number that you want to mark as active. You should receive a message that resembles the following:
Partition <PartitionNumber> is now the selected partition
At the DISKPART command prompt, type Active, and then press ENTER.
At the DISKPART command prompt, type Exit, and then press ENTER
Restart the computer.
You should get a diskpart prompt. At the prompt, type list disk and press enter
ASKER
its not doing it for me ...
i have now got the correct admin password for this laptop ...
i thought repairing the XP completely might solve this problem? i have followed the console screen and press "R" and selected the parting "2" it asked for the password and then
c:\windows it went to the prompt ...
how should i run the command to repair XP from here please?
if the repairing the XP is what i should
i have now got the correct admin password for this laptop ...
i thought repairing the XP completely might solve this problem? i have followed the console screen and press "R" and selected the parting "2" it asked for the password and then
c:\windows it went to the prompt ...
how should i run the command to repair XP from here please?
if the repairing the XP is what i should
ASKER
OR is there anyway I can copy the desktop data from the laptop and format it completely ?
please advise
thanks
please advise
thanks
SOLUTION
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Mount the laptop drive with the external connector....I will post a quick photo for you.
Repairing it willnot fix the problem you are having. Only a format and re-install will work, unless the commands you have executed do the trick. If you want to grab the data and do a full install, including the formatting the drive, that is easy enough. Make sure you have a lagal copy of XP along with a valid key for activation. If not, you will not get very far. The drive can be attached externally as noted above by using a small adapter. You need to make sure you get one for a SATA drive, not IDE.
Another option is to connect an external hard drive (USB) to the system, then create and boot with ERD Commander:
If you have access to a CD burner, do the following:
Download the Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (formerly known as ERD Commander).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5D600369-0554-4595-8AB4-C34B2860E087&displaylang=en
Download it. Run it. It will create an ISO file. Burn the iso file to a CD. The file is located in c:\Program Files\Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset. The file is called erd50.iso Boot the CD. You will boot into a windows environment. From there, you have access to a great many tools, such as system restore, checking the drive, and much more. From this screen you can copy all of the files you want to pull from the drive.
Another option is to connect an external hard drive (USB) to the system, then create and boot with ERD Commander:
If you have access to a CD burner, do the following:
Download the Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (formerly known as ERD Commander).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5D600369-0554-4595-8AB4-C34B2860E087&displaylang=en
Download it. Run it. It will create an ISO file. Burn the iso file to a CD. The file is located in c:\Program Files\Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset. The file is called erd50.iso Boot the CD. You will boot into a windows environment. From there, you have access to a great many tools, such as system restore, checking the drive, and much more. From this screen you can copy all of the files you want to pull from the drive.
Here is the photo.
RDA-4362adj.JPG
RDA-4362adj.JPG
I prefer to remove the laptop hard drive and use the external connection on a separate computer to transfer the files I want to keep. Once done then you can put the laptop hard drive back in the case and then follow standard process to reinstall the OS.
I usually delete the partitions on the drive, then repartition how I want (normally I do not partition a single non- raid drive), then re-format and reinstall.
I usually delete the partitions on the drive, then repartition how I want (normally I do not partition a single non- raid drive), then re-format and reinstall.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
thanks all for your input
i have formatted the drive
thanks
s
i have formatted the drive
thanks
s
Sorry you were unable to recover your system without reformatting.
Please close out this question and award points as you see fit.
take care...
Please close out this question and award points as you see fit.
take care...
ASKER
ITS OK,
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP THOUGH
I WILL SURELY CLOSE IT NOW
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP THOUGH
I WILL SURELY CLOSE IT NOW
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20Partition%20using%20the%20Recovery%20Console: