I have had several problems with my old computer and if I haven’t stumbled on Windows XP Crashed? Here’s Help by Charlie White, I would have given up. I could have reformatted my hard disk and re-installed Windows XP, just to be able to use my computer again.

It was in 2004 when my computer encountered the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), I didn’t know what to do so I googled for workaround that lead me to the article.

Can’t count how many times I have used the steps on that article, not only on my computer but on others too. I actually have memorized the steps, there’s no need for me to look at the printed article. The commands were quite long but requires shorter time than to have a fresh install of Windows. Besides, what I like about it is that you can still have your files, programs and settings, as if nothing happened. So it’s like a magic to me.

Last month my old pc broke down (again). Windows won’t boot. I am stuck on the start up options: safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt, last known good configuration and start windows normally. I’ve selected all the options but it still won’t boot. The system won’t even restart, all it shows is a blank screen.

For times like this, I am turning to Recovery Console’s help.

I won’t paste here the Windows XP Crashed? Here’s Help by Charlie White article because it’s quite long. But if I were you I would read and print it. You will never know when you’re gonna need it. As for me, I’m glad I did print it. I have a new computer now, and all of my important files are still there. Had I not used the Recovery Console, I would have not recovered my files in my old computer.

Just recently I saw a more detailed article in Microsoft Knowledge Base: How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting.

How about you, what do you do and what do you use to recover your files when your Windows won’t start despite many attempts?