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#11
Try booting into the Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots - no matter what it reports or says. It might be able to sort it out enough to get it started. It will then swap out all drivers and request 2-3 restarts.
If this fails, boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD, select 1 for screen res, rightclick Win7>Resize then slide the left border over to make room for a new Win7 installation at the beginning of the HD, OK, Apply. Leave the space unallocated.
Now boot into the Win7 DVD, select Custom install, use Drive Tools to create and format a partition in the unallocated space to install Win7. Do not touch the partition containing old Win7/data to the right.
It will likely configure a dual boot which we can help you get rid of along with the old OS files, making a data partition instead where your data is safer anyway.
A coworker actually had that cross my mind earlier, cuz he mentioned about putting a 2nd partition in but then the thought crossed my mind that I have 400Gb of stuff (I suppose the 72+ movies can be lost if need be, but I still need like 50+Gb of the stuff) and only a 500Gb HDD so I'd have no way to transition the stuff over to the single partition... I guess I can do it as a last resort if need be... I'd rather try to find a way to fix the existing one though (dual partitions drive me nuts for organization..)
Did you boot into the Win7 DVD Repair console to run Startup Repair 3 separate times with reboots?
There is a Paragon add-on (to their HD manager) that will adapt a HD to new hardware: http://www.paragon-software.com/home...ptive-restore/
You may not have the luxury to pick and choose from a lot of options here.
You would be installing Win7 to a new partition to recover your data. After install, you can transfer the data into the Win7 partition while shrinking down the data partition as you do.
Eventually all of the data can be in the new Win7 partition, leaving only the old Win7 OS in the old partition which you can then delete and recover the space into Win7.
The wording of that description is a bit confusing... I understand how a VM works but I don't believe it would be involved for this process. (and the software description notes that it does do hardware migration also) How would the transfer process work? I would like to understand that before making attempts. I've always been a strong believer in doing as much research as possible before attempting anything of this nature (much like game console modding)
And perhaps I forgot to note it in my first post, but yes, I ran the startup repair wizard to the point where it told me it could not repair it, (4 or 5 times perhaps) it was after that that I noted the blue screen, did some research and turned here.
I must get some rest for work, but whatever options I seem to have about 12 hours from now I'm going to need to start attempting if I am to meet any of my deadlines...
A last minute note: I did not boot into the DVD startup repair everytime, I used the one on the HDD (auto launches after BSOD) if this matters any (which I doubt) please let me know...
Last edited by RolandHazoto; 28 Jan 2010 at 02:32. Reason: added wording on VMs
It's not quite as simple as you think to "move motherboard drivers around" in fact I wouldn't even try, and given your primary purpose is to recover your data, and that you have some time constraints i would personally not even try to repair the install on the original 500gb drive
I would be connecting that drive with the data on, to another running system and simply pick off what i needed immediately with a view to removing all the large files at a later date
presumably your going to be using the Gateway with the cracked screen as a temporary measure ?
given that you believe your original laptop is fried what will you be replacing this with ?
I think you should cut your losses and concentrate on preserving your data with a view to getting it all back at a later date :)
N.B. something like this USB 2.0 to IDE SATA S-ATA 2.5 3.5 5.25 Adapter Cable will connect your drive to any working pc with USB ports :)
Remove your HD from PC & plug in to a other PC with USB adapter.
The gateway is replacing the hp for awhile (at least a few months) due to a lack of finances (read: job pays crap and can't afford a new one)
again, a lack of finances and such...
I'm off to work now, I'll be looking over all of this again in about 6 hours and beginning what needs to be done...
I would still try booting the Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to Recovery Tools list and run Startup Repair repeatedly. Running a repair which is offered during attempt to boot Win7 is not always the same.
If you boot Partition Wizard CD, how much space will it allow you to shrink your current install from the left when you select Resize and use the grey slider bar?