Ideas on an XP problem please

Thanks mate I might have to try the Ubuntu as the repair stuff I have inserted the XP OS disk gone to repair in Recovery Console and it is asking for an admin password and the fellow I cannot contact until later

You'll probably have to set the "Execute" permission on those scripts.

To set the Permissions and run the scripts have a look at these links:
command line - How to run a script? - Ask Ubuntu
http://www.stans-songs.com/how-to-run-a-shell-script/

Ok mate I have the Ubuntu up and running and can see the stuff they want to recover before they probably trash this machine (which I will do up for some kid who cannot afford one as it has a decent processor Q8200 quad and 4GB RAM on a little Asus KP5PL-CM board) It is that expensive CAD stuff they want and are hoping it will install on a new tower with hopefully 7. .

Ok Greg thanks mate I did try the second option way this afternoon but I did not get as far as the sliding yellow bar. Off the top of my head I cannot remember the exact process but it did end with that request to enter the Administrator word. As they do not know of such a word I tried the word itself - Administrator administrator ADMINISTRATOR Admin admin etc etc but no go. The owner tells me he was never given a password and they have never had to login to the machine.

The strange thing is that the install disk they gave me was still in it's sealed pack form Microsoft and I have no reason to suspect it is fraudulent. The only thing I can think of is the install was done via an OEM and whoever built this machine has been a tad obscure with the owner when he bought the machine and just picked up a MS packet and given it to him. So perhaps the package stuff is different to what was installed

Plus I checked in the BIOS thinking maybe it was in there as by this time I was really scratching round for ideas.

Still I have found all the data on the drive with a Ubuntu boot and shall try to retrieve what he wants most of all that expensive CAD software and workshop data.

I have a few other things to run yet like Speccy to find the activation code which I will compare to the package I opened this afternoon.
I think he is now at my suggestion thinking if that software can be retrieved then he will but a new tower with 7 on it or at least I can put 7 on it or even a new drive on this machine because I run a similar rig (Q#### CPU and 4GB DDR2 RAM) with 64bit 7 and in that case he will only be up for a new hard drive and OEM (about $185 AUD all up and my time to install it and configure the CAD stuff.

If he really wants a completely new rig then that's his choice but I wouldn't mind buying this one and doing it up for Lynne's grandkids.

Greg I just realized that link you gave me I was using the second option and not the first because I didn't want to wreck any data on the drive. So out of the three options I should use the top one -
"To set up Windows XP now. Press enter" ?? I can do that as long as I know the data will not be lost.

If there is no password then try leaving the box blank.

You do have to choose Setup to get to the R choice for Repair Install.

It keeps all files in place but is old enough now I would not risk files without backing them up first. To do this you can use a Linux Boot Disk, Paragon Rescue CD, or...

I've never tried to use the mini-explorer which XP disk offers to load drivers to copy out files which is the clever trick developed here to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console. But you can try it to see.

Greg here are some shots of what happens when I boot to the installation disk in the pics hopefully in order is what happens. I try the "R" option from the blue screen - I use enter instead of trying the password and pick fixmbr it takes me eventually to the warning screen.
What I am concerned about is that access to other partitions will be lost so what next?
Or should I use the top option in the blue screen?

Techquest mate have exhausted all the safe mode stuff - no go.