Laptop will not run after switching on it then

[adpro]

Hi, i have an IBM Laptop oldish model thinkpad 600? well it has been working fine, but i have not used for a 2months, now that i want to take the mp3 files off it and to put them on to my Zen....the problem is the Laptop will not start up....it shows the windows xp start up logo.....then switches off..blank screen.......then does that a few times ....so i hit the F8 button? and i get a menu to start in safe mode..rebboot...etc....and what ever i select starts to run...then a blue screen flashes up with some text on....then the Laptop switches off and then starts the whole cycle again...by starting up again...this can go on for hours till i switch of the power.....the blue screen flashes that quick that you cannot read the message but using a camera and i have tracked down a word...virus...this Laptop worked perfect and now, it don't. I use it for my music library which i update from my main pc by using a usb mp3....PLEASE can someone help me ...thanks..Will

[Xaotic]

Welcone to the forums and the addiction!

There are a couple of ways to get the files. Starting with the easier ones first.

Get a laptop HDD to IDE converter and attach the disk to a desktop system as a data drive. Needless to say, make sure that your virus protection is running and updated first.

Another option is to run a bootable disk with NTFS read and preferrably write abilities. Knoppix, Ultimate Boot CD, DOS boot with NTFS for DOS or other solutions are easily available and will allow you to extract data.

A repair installation of XP would also work, but would be my absolute last choice. I'd rather scavenge data before attempting this as a mistake or glitch could render the original drive unreadable.

[adpro]

thanks but i dont know what a HDD etc is, i have tried to download a Knoppix programme and it is to large to fit on a CD. Please any more help?

[thaclassikz]

Knoppix is a linux live cd, it should be able to fit on one cdr. Xaotic has already given you all the options that is possible. I personally would get the hdd to ide converter, they only cost around 5 dollars and as simple as installing a new harddrive into your main pc if you've done that before. If not, try some tutorials, its very easy.

[TheCheat]

HDD to IDE converter, in otherwords.... an adaptor so your laptop harddrive can talk to your desktop.

So, your hard drive looks like this:
http://www.guarddog.de/20%20GB%20Hitachi%20DK23DA-20F.jpg

What you're going to want to do is buy one of these guys:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812156015

Hook up your HD to the adaptor and plug the USB drive into your desktop. If your running XP, it should pick it up as a USB Hard Drive and you can go ahead and pull your music off it.

[adpro]

Thank you all for being so kind with your advice AND patient with me. I understand now, and will let you know the results....you know it will work dont you?? you are all 100% greats!
Will:beer:

[Como]

the hdd to ide converters work awesome, i have several.

knoppix wont fit on a cd because its been a dvd-iso for almost a year now. I'd go with something lighter like slax, or try and find the CD version of knoppix (i think they still update it)