LurkW/in, thanks for the time you're spending on this.
I'm wondering - can I use my laptop as the external hd, and then use my Belkin file transfer software and cable that I used when I got my laptop? I know I"ll have to check if the cable will work. It should, the desktop my son has is the same desktop I have, and I transferred files from it to this laptop.
If not, I guess the safest thing for me to do now is take it to the GEEK SQUAD at Best Buy.
I did try to ESC and EXIT on the cmd.exe screen but neither one did anything.
Any other thoughts will be greatly appreciated.