Crc disk problem/computer won't start up?

[danceislove]

Okay, so let me just start out by saying that I am in no way a computer expert, so go easy on me. (:

Well, about a week and a half ago, I was trying to start up my computer, but it wouldn't load. It was just on the loading screen for about 10 minutes, so I turned it off, and figured I would just try again. When I turned on the laptop again, it said that there was a disc error or something, I can't really remember, and it said I could put in my Windows Installation Disc and click repair computer. The only thing is, I never got a disc with my computer. It came loaded with Vista. (It's a Sony Vaio, I got it in 2008, but it wasn't the newest model that was out, so I'm not really sure when it was made).

So, since I didn't have the disc, I tried safe mode. When it was loading safe mode, and it shows all of the different stuff that's loading, it always stops at "crcdisc".

My friend has a Vista installation disc, and I just wanted to know if that was still okay to use. I also wanted to make sure it doesn't erase files for my iTunes/Sims 2/Plants vs. Zombies, because, like an idiot, I don't have backup discs made for them. (And quite honestly, I don't know how to make a backup disc).

Thank you SOOOOO much to anyone that helps! I really appreciate it!

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Try this first
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

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

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.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.

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**.

With the DVD you could go in three directions. You could do a repair install, which is shown below. It says right in the tutorial, back up your stuff. The repair should not affect your documents, but right there in writing is the warning, so it very well may
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance
The second thing that can be done is an upgrade which is essentially the same as a repair.
The third way and the way that I recommend is a clean install and you will lose your stuff, but more on that later.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C
But now danceislove is a not a happy face. He or she is thinking but my stuff. The pics from vacation and the story written by so and so. Not to worry, save your stuff. Use Ubuntu, that has saved many peoples stuff
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

 

[Lorien]

Hi danceislove,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

It seems Richard and I were both writing responses at the same time, so there is a lot of duplication in our replies - but perhaps reading essentially the same thing said in two different ways (and there are some differences which may prove valuable) will assist you.

If the disk is the same bit-size as your system and is a genuine Vista Installation Disk, it can be used to repair; however, you need to be able to boot normally and run the disk from there to do a repair/upgrade - it cannot be done by simply booting to the disk. Here is the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html but I do not believe it will work in your situation since you can't boot normally. It can also be used for a clean install, but that will wipe your drive of everything so do NOT click on the install option if you see it or you will lose all your data.

You can use the disk, however, to try some other options that may restore functionality or identify the problem.

Boot to the disk and select Recovery Environment and get to the screen which contains a number of repair options.

Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer or perhaps in safe mode with networking if that is working).

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking – or do so from the command prompt on the disk). Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (you can skip this step if using the disk).

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32. Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to a flash drive to transfer to a computer that works before it will permit you to attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk or files on your system (unless there are too many).

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.

Please click on the Memory Diagnostics button and follow the prompts to run that test and check to see if memory is the issue.

If you need to backup your data, check out the following (for which you will need another computer to create a disk): Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek. Then you need a place to store the data. Since you are using the CD Drive with the Ubuntu disk, that's out unless you have a second CD drive on the system. Other than that, your options are an external USB hard drive, a flash drive (with enough room to hold the data), or an external CD/DVD Drive in a USB enclosure. You could also slave the drive to another computer and use that computer to access the data and store it on its hard drive as a temporary measure.

I hope this helps. Please report back results and we'll see where we need to go from there.

Good luck!

 

[sevandb]

Very quick. Very efficient. 2 words.

Alt + F10

at startup, right when the acer logo appears (same time it says click F2 to go into bios).

Only backdraw ; you'll lose everything on the C: drive. I had all my goods on the D: and E: drives

 

[tom982]

Very quick. Very efficient. 2 words.

Alt + F10

at startup, right when the acer logo appears (same time it says click F2 to go into bios).

Only backdraw ; you'll lose everything on the C: drive. I had all my goods on the D: and E: drives

Hello sevandb and welcome to the forums

Thanks for taking the time to post your solution, I'm sure others experiencing this problem will really appreciate your efforts.

This thread is coming up to two years old now, so I wouldn't expect a reply from the original poster

Tom