XP System Recovery problem

[jonnyluvrod]

Hi all.

I'm trying to save a friends laptop.

It won't boot from the hard drive. It gives the error - 'windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt'

So I've attempted to boot from CD to start the recovery console.

I've pressed 'R' to start the recovery when prompted but once windows reads from the disc, after a minute or two I get a blue screen saying windows has shut down the computer to save damage.

I can't get past this step to run a chdisk or replace the missing files so it will boot.

Is the Hard Drive knackered?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks...

[robbo1]

This is usually a corrupt boot sector and gives a black screen refering to ntdlr missing. What type of laptop is it (brand, model...) It may have a recovery partition.

[jonnyluvrod]

Thanks for the speedy response.

It does come up with NTLDR missing message when attempting to boot from HD.

It's an Acer Aspire 3004 WLMi.

[robbo1]

This should have a recovery partition. On boot up, when the Acer splash screen appears, press F8 for advanced windows options and look for the recovery or rebuild options.
But, running this will return the laptop back to factory settings, so all data saved will be lost and a fresh windows will remain

[jonnyluvrod]

Thanks for the advice mate.

I've brought up the menu before using F8 and it doesn't give me an option like the two you mention, only the following:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Safe Mode with networking

Enable boot logging
Enable VGA Mode
Last known good config
Directory Services Restore Mode
Debugging Mode
Disable automatic restart

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS choices

I'm of the opinion that the HD has had it.

Thanks again...