Wont Start Up

Frankfries said:

Ok so just to clarify:

- First try a system restore (from the installation disk) and hope that it restores to a good point
- If not, try a Startup Repair, which is also done through the installation disk. Now is this Starup Repair the same thing as Repair Install?
- Last option is lose everything, reformat my computer, and all hell breaks loose =)

Also on a side note, if I were to access my computer via Safe Mode (as suggested earlier) could I fix the problem there? Or would I just access that way to get all my files and reformat my computer?

:) no not really. All hell will stay put where it is. I posted in another thread for help. I will post their suggestions here

From within Safe mode, you could access all your files. I would suggest this first

Thorsen said:

Can someone post the best way to backup these files from outside windows?

He has 2 options:
1) Take out the HDD and plug it into another computer to access the files
2) Install Linux to access the files

He should go buy an external drive and backup ALL his important files on it

~Lordbob

If it comes to doing a re-install, your previous system files will be saved in a file called windows.old This will contain all of your user data and program files. So even if you have to do an install you should still not loose your files.

Dont worry, we'll get to the bottom of this


Edit: Thanks Lordbob

Thorsen said:

If it comes to doing a re-install, your previous system files will be saved in a file called windows.old This will contain all of your user data and program files. So even if you have to do an install you should still not loose your files.

Dont worry, we'll get to the bottom of this


Edit: Thanks Lordbob

Just make sure to NOT FORMAT YOUR DRIVE!

No problem Thor.

~Lordbob

Yeah, I am not sure if the computer he is posting from is a desktop or another laptop


Off topic....There are 6 Members looking at this post right now. You guys rock

Edit: Additional info.... I didnt want to post to much. So I am editing here.

I think frankfries is at work and cant do the instructions yet.

Frankfries, please post when you have tried to get into safe mode or if you need help with it.

HighTechGeek said:

If you have access to another PC, you can recover your files by opening both cases, removing the hard drive from the non-bootable system, and connecting it to the bootable system. You should be able to connect it to the motherboard using a SATA cable and most power supplies have extra power connectors for adding drives.

Now, when you boot up, the moved hard drive should show up on the bootable system as drive E: or F: or whatever. Copy whatever files you want off of it to the bootable system or to a usb drive or burn them to CD or DVD.

You shouldn't need anything but a screwdriver and a SATA cable (which you can temporarily pull out of the unbootable system).

Once you have all your files copied over to the bootable system, put the drive back into the unbootable system and do a clean install.

That is a very good option. Don't forget that the HDD might be an IDE drive, in which case it may be more difficult (but the same procedure applies).

I recommend trying this first if you have a second computer.

~Lordbob