Windows Reinstall Without Losing Files, Ubuntu Disc Won't Boot

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Windows Reinstall Without Losing Files, Ubuntu Disc Won't Boot


    Hi everyone!

    So here is my situation. I have a Gateway laptop with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 on it. I installed AVG when Norton's was on my computer as well (I was not aware that you could not have two anti-virus programs installed at the same time). So the computer froze and then when I restarted it it would not boot because a Norton's file was corrupted.

    I downloaded the AVG Recovery program, it booted up fine, I was able to remove all traces of AVG via their Linux setup however the computer still won't start. The corrupt Norton's file was removed as well and again, still would not boot into Windows. It tried the Windows repair but that didn't work either. Now it will not even get to a menu option to get into Safe Mode or anything. It goes right to a screen that states that I need to insert a Windows 7 Recovery disc. Crap.

    So I downloaded the Ubuntu iso and burned it to a DVD (The CDs didn't have enough space on them) but it will not boot in the computer. The Gateway doesn't read the DVD (and yes, I went into BIOS and made sure that it was the top of the boot list). I am not sure if it was something I did wrong while creating the bootable Ubuntu disc or not.

    If I can manage to get a Windows 7 disc (Which I do not have) is there a way to fix this without losing all of my files? I don't have a ton on there that I would be sad about losing other than documents and photos.

    Thank you in advance!
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  2. Posts : 369
    Windows 7 Pro 32bit
       #2

    you can download windows 7 here: Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River .. just make sure you can provide a key for activation. then follow steps on windows recovery, just browse it in the tutorials.
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  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Yes but if I do the Windows recovery disc aren't all of my files going to disappear? I don't have a ton of important stuff on the hard drive, I backed almost everything up to my external, but there are some photos on there that I hadn't had a chance to move over and some documents and a folder of photos that are pretty important that I don't want to lose. I got Mint Mate running but it states that it can't mount my hard drive so I can't access the files that way either.

    I know that it states that when you reinstall Windows it sometimes creates the Windows.old folder where you can recover files but I want to try everything possible to get those files before I take the chance that Windows may or may not have that folder there when I reinstall it.
    Last edited by EpixStudiosNH; 12 Jan 2015 at 17:01.
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  4. Posts : 369
    Windows 7 Pro 32bit
       #4

    On your situation, all i can think of is to do it the hard way. you can slave your Laptop HDD to other machine, if you have desktop or another laptop, then get all the files you need. that's what i do if i have something like your situation.

    or lets wait until someone gives another suggestion.
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  5. Posts : 562
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    Hi

    I would suggest creating a bootable Ubuntu USB stick using "Rufus".

    Install Windows or Ubuntu from usb drive using Rufus - Bootable USB | Bootable USB

    Latest version : https://rufus.akeo.ie/downloads/rufus-1.4.12.exe

    Plug the USB to your lap, set it to be the first boot device and hopefully "Ubuntu" will boot this time. Then you will be able to rescue all important data.

    Another option is to use Paragon Rescue Kit which will fit on a CD nicely. The kit is specially designed to rescue data on situation like this.

    Download link : Rescue Kit 14 Free Edition - Overview

    User manual : http://download.paragon-software.com..._en_manual.pdf

    Video guides on how to create CD/USB rescue media : Rescue Kit 14 Free Edition - Getting started
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  6. Posts : 46
    windows 7 pro 32bit
       #6

    dont keep your important data in the partition where your windows resides as it will give headach for recovering data.i think your photos where in the windows hosted drive c.
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  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Unfortunately it looks like I am losing everything that was on the hard drive. My father and I set it as a slave on three different computers tonight and not a single one of them recognized the drive and wouldn't mount it. I got an error message that stated that I needed to format it before I could use it again. I went home defeated and am not downloading the Windows recovery disc and resigning myself to the knowledge that I am losing everything on that hard drive. There are only two folders of photos that I really wanted to keep but alas, that is not going to happen. Thank you all for your help with this, it is appreciate. Excuse me while I go weep in a corner for a few minutes!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 369
    Windows 7 Pro 32bit
       #8

    Can you post your HDD brand or specs. i have read some previous post here that suggest some software that scans your drive. i dont know how it works or what is the term to use.

    Maybe someone can help you throuh it.
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  9. Posts : 46
    windows 7 pro 32bit
       #9

    dont get frustrated bro never giveup.people here are geeks they will help you.onething keep in mind if you sortout what was the exact problem your problem is half solved.i had a similar situation when i transfered data between laptops using home group network one of the laptop got blue screen of death the harddrive failed i am sad as i had some important file on it but finally i recovered the data using linux live cd.so here is my suggestion 1.dont override withyour harddisk it may reduce the chance of recovery 2.post exactly what does your computer says when you power on.3.sortout whether it is hardware or software problem using linux live cd.4.your harddisk may have corrupted files or bad sectors hdd you can correct it using chkdsk command in cmd it will solve the mounting problems.please brothers here help him all the best
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 46
    windows 7 pro 32bit
       #10

    what is the error message you recieved when you tried to mount harddrive through linux live cd?if you cant mount ,there are certain commands in linux which will force harddrive to mount.one question are you able to see the windows partition in linux live cd? you can recover your data as i said i recovered data from dead hdd through linux live cd.
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