Sitrep: My XP on C: drive just crashed last week. Safe mode doesn't work. Recovery Console brings up a new error message of it's own. Last Safe Config? Yeah. Sounds nice. Not this time . . . So, what I did was install XP on my D: drive, brought my precious files back from the dead via NTFS Undelete -Freeware. That's fine. Got my files. But I still have the problem with the XP on C: Question: Is there a way I can 'hack' into C: using the D: drive XP? See, the problem I'm having here is I know the STOP error is telling me it's a software/hardware conflict (0x0A error), but it shuts down before I can access the system and cut off any new software. (Why Safe Mode doesn't work, is beyond me . . ) My theory is, if I can access it through the D: drive OS, I'll have more of a chance. Problem is, the Admin folder is 'locked' because I password the hell out of everything. . . Anyway, It sounds reasonable and do-able. Any ideas? Suggestions?

BSOD 0xA = IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL You should be able to use your working copy of Windows' regedit to mount the "C:" Windows' system registry (Found in C:\Windows\system32\config), but at that point, you're manually modifying driver/service information. Proceed at your own risk.

"the Admin folder is 'locked' because I password the hell out of everything. . ." Does this mean you used encryption? The admin folder has nothing to do with repairing the xp installation on c:. Google "repair install" to get the how to for running a repair [not new] install of xp on that partition.

Razor: I'm looking at D:\WINDOWS\system32\config I'm assuming I should find a 'regedit' file to copy and paste in C:\WINDOWS\system32\config ?? Or am I waaaay off here. :-/

regedit is a program installed by default on all non-CE versions of Windows Start -> Run -> (type) regedit

Razor: Right, of course. Got it. What command do I type in?

Backup two squares. If you are using a USB keyboard that may be why you can't get into safe mode. Try a PS/2 keyboard if you have a PS/2 keyboard port.