Error: Loading Operating System

Question

Urgent-::smileysad:   I had recently purchase a small digial camera to take pictures and email for some importan work.  It asked to intall a driver, in which I did.  Later I come back to find there was a blue screen telling me that Windows did an auotmaitc shutdown. When trying to reboot it came to a black screen saying no boot sector on internal hard drive.  I did a dianostic test from the drivers and utilities cd and everything passed.  Then I get an error saying 'Error Loading Operating System.'  When booting, I try F8 and nothing happens.  I try rebooting by hitting F12: Boot Menu to reinstall Windows XP Home Edition, and hit 'R' for repair, but all it says is Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console.  The Recovery Console porvides system repair and recovery funtionality. Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.  If I don't reply soon enough it goes to (C:\> )prompt.  If I type exit, it restarts the computer but still tells me 'Error Loading Operating System.'  I desperately need help.  I'm wondering if I lost my files or not.  I don't understand the Paritions much, like it tells me that I have 76,309 MB of free space on my hard drive and 8 MB of Unpartitioned space, which I'm assuming is already being used.  With all of the free space, does that tell me that all files are gone?  I don't won't to accidently enter or delete something I'm not suppose to.  I have a Dell Inspiroin 6000 and it's only 2 years old.  Can someone please help me.

BELL BOY · Answer

Windows Repair procedures here read very carefully before attempting any fixes

You will need original Dell supplied Windows OS CD

Unfortunately it sounds like MBR (Master Boot Record) has been damaged – hope not?

If all else fails & your laptop has PC Restore by Symantec (a.k.a. DSR) utility you may be able to use it

But you will lose everything installed on your computer between the purchase date & DSR used date, procedure is here

Windows General

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