Cannot boot computer

[momogold]

I tried to upgrade my IBM thinkpad, that was already running low on space, from Windows 2000 to Widows XP. The computer tried to reboot, and I have not been able to boot it up since. I have tried using a Windows 98 boot up disk and changed the boot sequence to read the floppy disk, but it will not work. How can I get the computer to boot to access a command line to delete files and get it working again?

[TJolly]

XP takes up a lot of space and uses a lot of memory. How big is your hdd and how much memory do you have?

[momogold]

I have a 10 GB hard drive... and I guess I didnt have enough space.. I have tried booting from a disk, but as soon as the computer turns on it displays the errors. I contacted IBM and they said it is the hard drive space issue and that I have to delete files from a command prompt, but I cannot even get to a command line.

[TJolly]

Any error messages or is it just not identifying the floppy drive?

[degsy]

What files are you wanting to delete?

What is the error message when trying to boot from floppy?

[momogold]

oh my god!! It booted from the disk, I can't believe it.
so it has booted from the disk.. now what can I do to clear some files so that I can get back in to my OS?

[momogold]

Ok, it is now able to read the floppy disk, but it cannot find the hard drive. I don't really know which files I need to delete. I don't want to format the entire computer, becasue I will lose so much information. Is there any way to find the c: drive?

[degsy]

Is the drive NTFS?
If so then you will not be able to see the drive using DOS.

Again, what files were you thinking of deleting?

[momogold]

It has NTFS.. I guess I wanted to delete any files I could to free up some space. It is at 100% capacity.. I tried to make a partition in fdisk.. and it was unable to....
am I able to save any files
will I be able to format the computer and lose everythign, which I can understand, but I would atleast be able to re install everything
Thank you for the help!!!:upset:

[degsy]

The easiest way would be to add the drive as a slave and copy the files off.

Were you thinking of upgrading the HDD?

[momogold]

The easiest way would be to add the drive as a slave and copy the files off.

Were you thinking of upgrading the HDD?


How add it as a slave and copy the files? I have access to other machines.. how would I concect them?

Do you mean upgrade, as in get a bigger HDD?

[degsy]

Do you mean upgrade, as in get a bigger HDD?
Yes, if you are planning on getting a new HDD then you could add the old drive into your PC as a Slave.

Otherwise, you can add it as a Slave in another PC and copy the files or burn them to CD.
http://freepctech.com/pc/001/installing_ide_devices.shtml

[momogold]

you rock!! thanks for the advice.. I will try to hook it up..
I really appreciate the help... and yes, i do plan on getting a bigger hdd

so are you saying that I can hook up my laptop hdd to another pc hdd?

[degsy]

There should be no problem with that.

[momogold]

HELLLLLP!
I tried adding my HDD to another PC as a slave... but the laptop HDD did not fit. I have decided to format the laptop HDD, but how do I do that using the bootdisk, when it does not detect the c: drive?

[degsy]

Hi,
the laptop HDD should be smaller so just screw it in at one side or switch the drives so that it is sat on a surface.

Also, check the jumper settings on bother drives.

I'm guessing you are going to have a Primary/Slave setup.
The PC HDD will be Primary (End of cable connection)
The laptop HDD will be Slave (Mid cable connection)

[Spider]

I tried to upgrade my IBM thinkpad
you can add it as a Slave in another PC
so are you saying that I can hook up my laptop hdd to another pc hdd?
There should be no problem with that
HELLLLLP!
I tried adding my HDD to another PC as a slave... but the laptop HDD did not fit.
You need a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE pin adapter (http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/f8/26/7035001C184-17705-resized200.jpg) to fit a notebook hard drive
onto a desktop system. The pin connectors are different. The adapters are about $10.00 to $15.00

[momogold]

Thank you for all of the help. I ended up reformatting the entire drive and starting over. I used Windows 2000 boot up disks and was then able to re-install windows 2000.

:wave:

[degsy]

Glad you got it sorted :)