I need to restore my computer and can't back up

[pxfragonard]

Hi. I bought a new computer (the specs should be below) and I let someone from McAfee control the computer to solve the problem of photos disappearing when rotated in Windows. Unfortunately he seems to have done something to my system and my photo software (DxO Elite) hasn't worked properly since (it worked like a dream before). I got a different guy at McAfee and he just uninstalled Explorer 9 (that was the real hangup) and the pics rotated. But my computer is still wacky.

I did a debugging report for DxO help and they told me Windows is acting strangely all the time and just loses connection with DxO. He suggested I take the new machine back but I don't know if that's possible.

I only have about 6 restore points in my D (recovery drive) so I can't go back to before the guy monkeyed around on it. I have a repair disc and a set of 3 recovery discs.

But backing up the files has failed twice on external drives (2 of them) that had adequate space. It took 16 hours each time to tell me there wasn't sufficient space? But on the other hand, I have an external drive that I was using to back up.

But if I go back to original factory settings and use the backup feature on that disc, will I import the same registry errors?

Is there a less drastic solution? I'm a computer novice and can follow instructions exactly... that's about it...

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[boohbah]

can you be more specific as to what a bit whacky is, this will help pinpoint the problems.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

What files you trying to backup and what size was the backup drive?

I would normally just suggest backing up your personal data, and in your particular case, just factory restore your system.

I take it your realise there are two types of backup. A full system image backup does just that, it creates an image of your system drive that you can then use to restore from if necessary.

A personal data just backs up data from a location or locations that you specify. I have used Windows 7's backup utility and got on fine with it.

 

[pxfragonard]

I did a system board check and it said: HP System Board Check detected an issue while running. Entries in the INI file are invalid. Please fix the entries in the INI file. I have no idea what that is.

 

[pxfragonard]

can you be more specific as to what a bit whacky is, this will help pinpoint the problems.

Thanks for your response. When running DxO the thumbnails just stop appearing for instance so I can't see what file I'm working on. Should I upload the diagnostic test on that? It's too large at 5MB! The DxO guy said that Windows is behaving erratically from startup to shutdown.

Also, I just checked the board and it says: "HP System Board Check detected an issue while running. Entries in the INI file are invalid. Please fix the entries in the INI file"

 

[seavixen32]

A couple of links that may or may not help:

Entries in INI file are invalid - HP Support Forum

Resolution for Invalid boot.ini file :: H-Desk Forums

However, in view of the likely poor response you'll get from HP, I'd be inclined to bite the bullet and restore to the factory state.

 

[pxfragonard]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

What files you trying to backup and what size was the backup drive?

I would normally just suggest backing up your personal data, and in your particular case, just factory restore your system.

I take it your realise there are two types of backup. A full system image backup does just that, it creates an image of your system drive that you can then use to restore from if necessary.

A personal data just backs up data from a location or locations that you specify. I have used Windows 7's backup utility and got on fine with it.

I tried a full restore on a 1 TB external drive. The size needed was 633gb and the external drive has that amount on it. Still, backup said fail. I tried to diagnose the problem and got this error: Failure ID: Q0BQRK-5NN5P9-WPTV5G-A0GM03 an instruction to fix the INI file. This might explain why the system says the backup failed.

Yes, I know. Perhaps you're right. An exact image might just reproduce the problem if I backed up from there?

 

[pxfragonard]

A couple of links that may or may not help:

Entries in INI file are invalid - HP Support Forum

Resolution for Invalid boot.ini file :: H-Desk Forums

However, in view of the likely poor response you'll get from HP, I'd be inclined to bite the bullet and restore to the factory state.

Thanks Seavixen for the links. I imagine your conclusion is sad but true.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello pxfragonard, welcome to Seven Forums!


Perhaps a 3rd party program would be helpful, some feel Windows backup in inadequate; have a look through the information in this tutorial at the link below for some additional ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Imaging with free Macrium


​

 

[pxfragonard]

Thanks Barefoot kid but i sort of don't trust those free programs... i had better luck actually with an HP standalone exterior drive with its own backup program installed.... but I'm still worried to use it after the restore... i think it's safer to move the programs over from the old computer using a quick transfer mechanism and the files from the other drives i'm using to back up... that way the registries should be AOK...

 

[boohbah]

I think you would be safer with a factory install also, back all your important files up to your external . peace of mind in the end.

 

[seavixen32]

I'm inclined to agree with Bare Foot Kid on this one as people have posted positive reports about Macrium.

Although I've had no problems with Windows 7 backup, others have found it to be a bit hit and miss.

As ever, it's your choice as to which way you go, but we'll try and help if you get problems along the way.

 

[pxfragonard]

I'm inclined to agree with Bare Foot Kid on this one as people have posted positive reports about Macrium.

Although I've had no problems with Windows 7 backup, others have found it to be a bit hit and miss.

As ever, it's your choice as to which way you go, but we'll try and help if you get problems along the way.

Thanks again, Seavixen. The other thing is but... even if the image I make in Macrium is good, won't that restore the computer to the same corrupted state it's in now?

This whole thing was the result of my mistake in allowing a McAfee guy take control of my computer and make some changes. What worries me (being really ignorant about computers) is that he may have made changes in the dos shell which, if I'm not mistaken, is the basic system upon which the OS runs. Is that possible? Or am I paranoid (I mean, today ?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Just because you feel someone is watching you, doesn't mean they're not! :shock:

 

[seavixen32]

If you want total peace of mind, recover your computer to its out-of-box factory state, re-install your applications, and then create a full system image backup.

If you're really undecided about which to use, try both - Windows 7 and Macrium. Two backups won't do any harm and it'll give you an idea which you're happiest with.

 

[boohbah]

Just because you feel someone is watching you, doesn't mean they're not! :shock:

Airbot

 

[pxfragonard]

Just because you feel someone is watching you, doesn't mean they're not! :shock:

Well, I'm not 100% sure of it so I don't qualify for clinical paranoia... yet

 

[pxfragonard]

If you want total peace of mind, recover your computer to its out-of-box factory state, re-install your applications, and then create a full system image backup.

If you're really undecided about which to use, try both - Windows 7 and Macrium. Two backups won't do any harm and it'll give you an idea which you're happiest with.

Total peace of mind is my goal (and a working program to edit my photos!)... so I think that's the way I'm gonna go... it went well the first time... then I called McAfee about a little easily worked around thing...