You can fix the MBR, by booting from Vista DVD and choosing repair option.
There you'll find the option to fix the MBR.
Can you try to connect the disk to another Vista machine, where you could
possibly have more luck?
--
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, MCTS, MCITP
http://www.wincert.net
"mynameisstolen" wrote:
Quote:
>
> Hi.
> My notebook hard drive (Vista Home) was failing (I botched the install
> of SP1) and I was unable to backup my files before it wouldn't boot
> anymore.
>
>
>
> I hoped I could use the drive externally on my XP P4 desktop to
> transfer the files over. XP sees the drive as D & E (main partition and
> recovery partition). But when I try to access the drive, it just runs. I
> guess its trying to boot the disk. I am wondering what steps I need to
> take to be able to get the files off the disk.
>
>
>
> 1. How to remove the MBR or otherwise stop the drive from trying to
> boot Vista. I thought about using jumpers to make it a slave. But I have
> no idea where they would go or if I could use them.
>
>
>
> 2. Can I use another method to get the files?
>
>
>
> I am strictly software and not really too familiar with the inner
> workings of the notebook components. This is my 1st one after many many
> desktops.
>
>
>
> Anything that could potentially delete the user files is not an option
> (pictures, videos, etc.) Okay if the system files don't work anymore. I
> have recovery disks to format another hard drive.
>
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> I posted this in General, but I guess this is the appropriate forum. I
> am going to delete that other post.
>
>
> --
> mynameisstolen
>