i'm not backing them up on my external HD's regardless of your state of dress.

This is exactly what it should look like.

Can you boot into Safe Mode on the laptop now by holding down F8 when you boot?

same error msg

Ok LJ,

At this point, I'd plug in an external HD, and pull off whatever data you can.

Remember that C:\users is where the user data is in Vista and 7.

We'll probably need to do a repair install on Windows, or at the worst case a recover/rebuild.

ok...

do I use the command window to do that?

what are the commands for copying files?

I have a 300 GB external that I can attach via USB

LJ,

You can use Windows Explorer. You will need to go to Control Panel -> force Install USB to get the drive mounted, and then copy the files over.

oh...and "last know good" choice in the boot menu is no good?

via the boot cd, i presume?

yes

i don't see how to install this drive through control panel...there is no 'add new hardware' option...., although the device manager sees the drive, and says it works.

as long as it sees the drive
 

As long as it sees the drive you should be good, and be able to copy the data off.

it won't recognize anything but a thumb drive. I have 2 external hard drives one 40G and one 300G. ' My Computer' on the Vaio can't see either of them...nor can any of the other file explorer programs on the boot disc. I have the 8G micro sd from my phone in a usb converter and am shuttling files to my laptop, and then from there onto the 300G drive....I have a 16G thumb drive at work...natch.

what a pain in the ass.

There is a "Force Install USB" setting
 

There is that setting, under Settings I think. Try that :).

Otherwise, it's a lot of unpacking and I apologize.

settings where?

Start -> Settings I think. Not in front of a PC with that CD now.