dead OS

[disturbed13]

okay so ive been running windows Vista 64-bit
(Core 2 Quad CPU, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD)
on friday i ran all of my antivirus, spyware, and maleware removal programs
after that was done i defraged my HDD Friday Night
when i got up saturday morning optimized my HDD and went to work for 12 hrs
(both of those options is offered by JKDefrag/MyDefrag [i cant remember what its called right now])
when i got home everything was still running, and it was finished
so i shut down my pc
now i cannot get to my password screen for Vista
if i select start windows normally it just keeps cycling over and over again
it will flash a blue screen (no text) then the system will reboot
if i select safe mode it starts to load all of the drivers
(i see a long list scroll by)
and then i see this V

it sits at this driver for a bit, then it restarts

now i have performed a back up a couple of weeks before
but what has me at my wits end is this
i dont want to loose all of my product keys
such as Vista, Office 2010, Octane Renderer ($119), all of my saved files
all of the guides that i have made and saved
and all of my tax info

so what should i do?
should i go and get another HDD and do a fresh install on the new drive
then try to do a restore
and use the back up file that i did
would that even work?
how big of a HDD should i get?

or is there an easier way to fix my pc?
i appreciate any help you guys can give me
thanks

 

[richc46]

Ok
reading your post, it appears that your stuff is very important. Lets save that first. Then we can probably get you up and running, but there will be more potential if your stuff is saved.
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
If Ubuntu does not install, you probably have a hardware problem.

 

[disturbed13]

thanks for the info
im really glad i have a 1.5 TB hdd to copy my files over to
what the next step?

 

[richc46]

Be sure that your stuff is saved first. Then give this 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.

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**.