Solved Computer won't boot - HELP!!!

[JANSTEEN]

I am no expert so maybe I should not give advice, but cant you take out the hard drive and install as a slave in another computer and the access it to get your stuff off.

 

[tom982]

I am no expert so maybe I should not give advice, but cant you take out the hard drive and install as a slave in another computer and the access it to get your stuff off.

Expert or not, we still value your opinion as much as we do the regulars here Everyone has a right to post and that's what makes this forum what it is, we all have our own fortes, and together we can fix these problems.

It's a good suggestion as well, I hadn't considered the possibility of the cable being the fault here.

Pom, in order to do this, you will have to get a USB to SATA cable like this:

USB 2.0 TO SATA / IDE CABLE FOR HDD WITH POWER ADAPTER | eBay

Tom

 

[pombonted]

HELP!!!! I just read ur msg and was googling to see who.how & where I could get someone to try to recover the disk AND then I saw a msg and I now think I remember what the error msg was telling me for the last few wks.....down in the bottom right corner there was a yellow disk with red around it and it said something like "RAID volume error" back-up immediately........HOLY JEEPERS I think this is really bad as I just read an old post :eek:

What do I do? I can't get it to boot anything but the Ubunutu disc.......HELP!!!

 

[pombonted]

Hi Tom,

I remembered the error msg when I read a google thing and have posted in the general section for HELP bc ur off-line. I think it's really bad bc I didn't back-up. The computer shop said it's probably dead and would be extremely expensive to try to recover and no promises. Cheaper to buy new computer. Oh boy, I am sooo mad at myself

Is there any diagnostic tool we can try pls?

 

[pombonted]

Sorry guys I missed this whole page? I will see if I can go get one. In the meantime I'm backing up my laptop to an external drive .....better late than never

 

[pombonted]

ok everyone I think I found the problem - the drive is a "BIT" dusty!!!



Should I vacuum it and try it gain???

The computer is Vista Ultimate - so probably why Home premium disc won't boot

Also HD is RAID 0 (Block 250) HDD 2/2 if that means anything???

 

[pombonted]

I am no expert so maybe I should not give advice, but cant you take out the hard drive and install as a slave in another computer and the access it to get your stuff off.

Hi & many thnx.

I went to buy one but they don't sell them here, just the box type. Anyway, I took the HD in to the shop and he put it in one and it was spinning and he could see the drive (500Gb) but he said it didn't do anything more. It would cost a couple of hundred dollars to get the tech to look at it and test it and maybe several $thousand to try to recover the data. So that's me done. I can't afford any of that and then they just wanted to sell me another PC.

I need to go cry in my beer

 

[tom982]

HELP!!!! I just read ur msg and was googling to see who.how & where I could get someone to try to recover the disk AND then I saw a msg and I now think I remember what the error msg was telling me for the last few wks.....down in the bottom right corner there was a yellow disk with red around it and it said something like "RAID volume error" back-up immediately........HOLY JEEPERS I think this is really bad as I just read an old post :eek:

What do I do? I can't get it to boot anything but the Ubunutu disc.......HELP!!!

Hi Tom,

I remembered the error msg when I read a google thing and have posted in the general section for HELP bc ur off-line. I think it's really bad bc I didn't back-up. The computer shop said it's probably dead and would be extremely expensive to try to recover and no promises. Cheaper to buy new computer. Oh boy, I am sooo mad at myself

Is there any diagnostic tool we can try pls?

Sorry guys I missed this whole page? I will see if I can go get one. In the meantime I'm backing up my laptop to an external drive .....better late than never

ok everyone I think I found the problem - the drive is a "BIT" dusty!!!



Should I vacuum it and try it gain???

The computer is Vista Ultimate - so probably why Home premium disc won't boot

Also HD is RAID 0 (Block 250) HDD 2/2 if that means anything???

I am no expert so maybe I should not give advice, but cant you take out the hard drive and install as a slave in another computer and the access it to get your stuff off.

Hi & many thnx.

I went to buy one but they don't sell them here, just the box type. Anyway, I took the HD in to the shop and he put it in one and it was spinning and he could see the drive (500Gb) but he said it didn't do anything more. It would cost a couple of hundred dollars to get the tech to look at it and test it and maybe several $thousand to try to recover the data. So that's me done. I can't afford any of that and then they just wanted to sell me another PC.

I need to go cry in my beer

Hi Pom,

Sorry, I was asleep

When you mentioned that it was a RAID error, I got really excited, but for nothing because you've got RAID 0. There are three different types of RAID: 0, 1 and 10. 0 is for performance and it splits files across two drives. 1 is for safety as it mirrors one drive to the other (which is what I was hoping you had). 10 is a combination of both and requires 4 drives, not many things have RAID 10. There are other types, but they are much less common.

My knowledge of RAID is limited, so I've just done some research on RAID 0 and it turns out that there's no error checking in RAID 0 so if an error occurs, it will just write it straight to the disk, so it's highly advisable to do backups. I know it's too late now, but writing things down makes it easier for me to think of solutions.

Everywhere I look, I see people saying something along the lines of "don't do what the people on the forums say and don't trust the free/cheap recovery software, the more you fiddle with it, the smaller the chance that you will be to recover your data, take it to a data recovery specialist".

$1000 is absurd for data recovery, it sounds as if they're trying to pressure you into buying a new PC by telling you the recovery price is high.

If you don't mind me asking, which country are you from Pom? I'll have a look for data recovery services in your country.

Regardless of the version, a Vista disc should boot.

Your dust attachments aren't showing up, I get an error saying invalid attachment URL when I try to view them But it can't hurt to give it a good clean up inside your PC, although I can't see this being the sole cause of your problem.

Tom

 

[pombonted]

Hi Tom,

Thnx so much. I'm in Melbourne Australia and I did ring a few other places first and they all said a couple of hundred $ JUST to look at it. The guy 2day said that there is software they can use to try to repair / access it but it is VERY slow and wouldn't tell me what it was called. Said they had to do it and again starting in the hundreds of dollars with no guarantee. My problems is the legal & medical stuff is what's causing the financial crisis and I have appointments next week that if i don't attend I'm screwed. AND if I do attend WITHOUT my evidence & reports I'm just as screwed.

This whole thing is making me physically ill.

Here's the pic again. I used the vacuum and blow dryer to clean it up a bit. Tried it again but it doesn't want to do anything. Do u know how to try to get into the bios or safe mode? I tried pressing F8 and after I hold it for a while it just keeps beeping at me.

If there is some recovery program or something we can do I would really appreciate it.



I did notice when I took it out it felt warm so it's obviously getting power bc he also said it was spinning.

I had a computer built with Vista Ultimate so I don't have a disc to repair or reboot. Just my dead Uncle version of Vista Home Premium.

I know when I had problems last year that when it did start running it took a really long time to boot thru everything. Maybe I've just messed up all the files by the constant turning it on & off without powering down.

P.S. The HDD is a Seagate 500 Gb 7200rpm SATA Drive Barracuda Model - the RAID label reads RAID 0 (Block 250) HDD #2/2 if that makes any sense.

He wanted to sell me a cheap Desktop and when I got home the specs aren't much different to this old one. In fact this one has more gidgets.

Forgot - for some reason I think it had a C and D drive (but if they were on the same HD) I guess it's of no use 9maybe a partition but I don't really understand all of that).

 

[pombonted]

Is there a time when u come on and I can talk to you. I waited all day to try to catch u and then had to duck out and missed u again, I'm driving myself insane

 

[richc46]

Welcome

First, I am very sorry that your valuable information may be lost, I know how you must feel. I did not come on sooner to offer my help, but that was only because I had nothing to offer that Tom did not think of. I have just read the thread over very carefully and did have one idea. If you were able to get your Ubuntu Disc to boot, you should be able to get Vista to Boot. Possibly you have encountered a problem in this area because: your hard drive does not have enough space now, that there are two OS on the hard drive or more likely because your Windows CD is corrupt.
You can get a new CD from here:
[Direct Download Links] Download Official, Original and Untouched Windows Vista RTM with SP1 Setup Files (32-bit and 64-bit) - Tweaking with Vishal
If all of these ideas are non productive, give this start up solution a try.

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

I did not notice, in the long thread, but did you try Safe Mode?

Will close by saying that any of these procedures may CAUSE YOU TO LOSE YOUR STUFF. As Tom already mentioned using a computer that already has an unknown problem anything is possible.


I truly wish you good luck.

 

[pombonted]

Thanks sooo much Rich. It's all a bit above me but I will sit here and work thru it with my fingers & toes crossed.

Many, many thnx

Pom xo

 

[richc46]

If the time comes that you decide that there is nothing else that can be done, take the hard drive out of the computer, put it in a baggie and then put that in another baggie. Make sure they are quality bags. The cheap ones will not help. Then put it in the freezer over night. When you take it out install it in the computer. If it is the hard drive, for a very short while, it may work. THIS IS THE LAST RESORT. DONT TRY UNTIL READY TO GIVE UP.

 

[pombonted]

Welcome
If you were able to get your Ubuntu Disc to boot, you should be able to get Vista to Boot. Possibly you have encountered a problem in this area because: your hard drive does not have enough space now, that there are two OS on the hard drive or more likely because your Windows CD is corrupt.
You can get a new CD from here:
[Direct Download Links] Download Official, Original and Untouched Windows Vista RTM with SP1 Setup Files (32-bit and 64-bit) - Tweaking with Vishal

Hi Richard,

I tried to do this last night but I was so emotional from everything yesterday that my dizziness just took over & I had to go to bed.

I think u could be right about the HD being full, I don't know but I thought the Ubuntu was booting from the DVD drive?

Also the Windows version Disc I have is Home Premium and my old computer was Vista Ultimate. I think I saw someone say u had to use the same or higher version???

Regardless, I tried to go to that link last night and download a CD but I don't know what version my computer was i.e. SP1 - 32 or SP1 - 64? I downloaded a SP1-32 and will try that shortly then maybe do the 64??? I have a strange feeling 64 means something but I don't understand what it is. I'm sorry but I am a real dummy with this stuff.

Then if it doesn't work I'll try your next instructions.

AND then if that doesn't work I will put the stupid thing in the freezer and freeze the little giblet! Actually I just woke up and read that and it made me laugh :D

And if the the little giblet doesn't work after that i think I might have a "smash-it-up" party and vent all of my frustrations.

 

[richc46]

Ill be honest, I mentioned in my first post that I really could not add much more to the thread as Tom has been very thorough and has followed procedure to get you up and running. I dont really think that the cause is due to your hard drive being too full. I think that the hard drive has failed. I cannot be sure of that because your particular situation is confusing to say the least. If you are able to load Ubuntu it follows that you should be able to use the Vista CD, but you cannot. I have never heard of that problem before and I know Tom is just as baffled. Tom always tries his best and gives every member 100% and knows his stuff, but your situation is unlike any other that either of us has seen before.
I know you are not in the mood now, but after this problem gets resolved and it will, one way or another, post to remind me and I will give you excellent advice on how to maintain your computer and easy instructions on how to back up your entire drive (not just your stuff) so that in the event of any problem you can just fix the computer and put everything back the way it was before the onset of problems.
The advice that I will give you will be easy to follow and you can ask any questions that you have, so that when the next problem occurs you will be able to fix it without any loss of time. In fact, I hope that with the proper maintenance, you will not even have any problems.

 

[pombonted]

Hi Rich,

Yes Tom has been wonderful. I am only new to this forum and I don't really know what I'm doing. I seem to keep missing him in between bc of the time difference.

I tried to reboot with the Windows Home Premium disc and it tries really hard but nothing comes up on the screen.

I tried ur link to get another Windows Disc but I'm afraid I'm an idiot and can't do it. I don't know what version my computer was (it had 4Mb of DD2 RAM) so I don't know whether it is 32 or 64 download. Regardless I downloaded 32 and then don't know what to do from there???

So I ended up on the other page to do a Recovery Disc and then that file wouldn't open???

Then I ended up on the page to make a USB bootable thing and got the USB formatted and then it asks about DVD or ISO and I don't know what to do from there???

Then this computer froze up and I had to close and reboot.

I think this one might be close to it's end as it's got the HD all in red now and I tried to back-up yesterday and it gave me an error msg and wouldn't do it.

So I'm completely lost. I just saw Tom pop on b4 but I missed him again. Sorry if I've broken any rules about who I'm supposed to be talking to but I joined in a panic and haven't had time to read the rules.

Very lost and frustrated at the moment???

 

[richc46]

There are no rules about who to talk to. Any member who has something to contribute is free to help as much as he can. I dont know where to go from here. I think that a new computer might be the best option. I don't know what else to do regarding your stuff. Ubuntu is usually the way to go, but it does not work in your case.

 

[pombonted]

Hi everyone,

Well I think I may have stuffed things up somehow??? Don't know for sure.

I went searching for a computer place and the one I wanted had closed down so I ended up just calling into one I drove by, pure chance. A lovely Chinese man took it and had a look. His computer could read the HD as 500G, but he said there was nothing on the disc. He sound it sounded fine and it was warm from me playing with it but there was no info on it. I could really tell this guy knows what he is doing. He asked if I had formatted the disc and I know I didn't. Maybe it got infected???

Anyway, I said that even if a disc has been reformatted I've heard that some criminals know how to get at the info. He agreed there was way to try to recover data. Said it was very slow - probably take one week. He said he'll charge $150 if they can get any data off it. Said I can have a new HD for $90 so either way I'll need another HD to get the computer running again and if he gets info he can transfer it to that. I just can't afford a new computer at the moment so I think that was a fair offer he has made. So u were right Tom and I 'm sure those other guys were having a lend of me.

So now I need to work out how to b/up my laptop onto one of my external HD. So any info about how to do that would be greatly appreciated.

I'll keep u posted so if anyone has the same problem in future it may provide an answer.

Still not sure why Ubuntu would even recognise the HDD when hi computer did, even though he said there's nothing on it????

 

[richc46]

Im glad for you, it looks like things will work out, but now to move on.
When you get your computer home with the new HD and a new OS, install all the software that you want. When you have it running just the way you like, use Macrium Reflect to make an image of that drive and store it on your external hard drive.
Its done the same for Seven and Vista
Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums
Now keep that for as long as you have your computer.
Once a month make a new Image, the next month you can delete the prior month and keep the current month.
If you ever have a problem, you now have a choice use the orignal image or the most current. You may want to use the original in case you are afraid that the current has a virus, etc.
You can back up your stuff separately, in case something gets misplaced or corrupted. You can restore your stuff without restoring the entire OS.

To maintain your computer:
As soon as you get home with your computer:

Dont install the antivirus software that pops up with instuctions to install.
Should be done at the end and this software, although probably free for a while,
will cost money down the road and is probably not the best.

Windows updates should be done immediately as you are vulnerable to problems
until updated; be sure to include office updates.

Adobe reader should be updated, the most recent version is a sandbox version which
reduces virus vulnerablity to your PDF files.

This is also the opportunity to download Adobe Flash Player

Download an alertative browser; ie FF or Chrome etc. In the event of problems with IE.

Remove any unwanted program bloat. They will slow up your computer and probably
cost money in the future.

Download your antivirus; Microsoft Security Essentials is suggested.

Make your recovery disc.

Now enjoy the internet.

To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer
ignore, reg cleaners.

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

Download and use PSI, to to be sure that all of your software is up to date
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...er-performance

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

Read this over slowly, before its needed. Ask questions and be sure you are comfortable with these instructions before you actually need them.

 

[pombonted]

Thanks so much but I have to just skip back a step. I just found my VISTA product key on the sticker on top and I am going to have to plug in the new HDD. I rang NEC and it will cost $45 and 2-3wks to get a copy of VISTA OEM disc. Can I download it from somewhere now I have my product key? Or do I boot with Ubuntu disc I made and then download Vista? Or is it better to upgrade to Windows 7??? I'm kinda lost here. Apparently I will need to install drivers and things as well. Sorry I'm such a knuckle-head pain in the bot