computer wont go

[Hungrycookpot]

Im running an Athlon 2500 system with winxp pro, and i just moved it to the other room yesterday. I didn't drop it or anything, but once i got it all hooked up again, it wont boot at all. It just tells me that the file system32/drivers/ntfs.(something) is corrupted or missing. So I got my windows cd, but whenever i start up the setup file, it gives me some numbers and tells me that setup cannot continue. So i tried to hook up another HD (similiar, mine is a WD 80G, this is a Seagate 80G) that was running off a nearly identical computer, and when i hook this one up, it gives me exactly the same message. I have a windows ME cd that goes far enough to give me the option of deleting everything and installing windows ME, but ive got alot of unbackedup stuff on this computer that id rather not lose, and for some reason it doesnt sound like its the HD thats broken, since the other one (which still works in its own computer) gives the exact same message. Any idea whats wrong, or how to fix it? (preferably without losing all my data)

[Hungrycookpot]

I should also mention i didnt do anything to the computer since it was running except for cleaned out some of the dust on the bottom of the case and on the vid card and mobo, and i also took off the fan from the heatsink (volcano 7) to peel off a layer of builtup yuckiness that was underneath the fan blades. Nothing was disconnected (save the fan screws, which ARE back in) and nothing was removed. I didnt touch the HD or anything near it when i was dusting, but as i said, i dont think its a HD problem.

[demon_wolf]

You could do a Repair install of Windows XP Pro. Hopefully it would replace the missing files.

[Hungrycookpot]

Cant. I already tried that, and it wont even enter the setup program. it goes to the setup bluescreen and then tells me that something is missing and setup cant continue. Only windows ME gets far enough, and it wants to delete everything.

[Hungrycookpot]

ok somehow i solved it. I switched out the power source of the computer from the other thread, (which is still having problems), and stuck this HD in it, and it worked just fine. So then i stuck it back in this computer, and voila, perfect, just like before? I have no clue. But I'm happy with this. The other computer tho, still isnt working.

[jokostel]

hdd is going south...replace it.

[Hungrycookpot]

I really dont think it was the HD tho... because the other HD that i plugged into this system did exactly the same thing