Laptop won't load...Help! - Computing and Networks

HypA · 16-05-2007, 16:20

Hi, I was wondering if I could ask for some advice. We have a laptop, bought brand new in Dec 2005. On Sunday night it crashed and a blue screen came up saying something about a hardware error, and to contact our vendor. This has come up before, but it's always loaded back up fine afterwards. This time it did load up, but it was extremely slow so I restarted again, and this time it didn't load back up.

It goes onto the Windows XP loading page, but nothing happens. It also won't load in Safe Mode, or if I select "last known good configuration". The only way I can get it to work is by using Safe Mode with Networking. None of our pictures and files are accessible when it's on (not sure if that's just because it's in Safe Mode

)

I'm covered by an extended warranty, but I have a feeling they'll say it's a software problem, and software issues aren't covered. I have the recovery discs, but I don't want to use them until I know for sure I won't completely screw the thing up. I'd also really love to rescue some recently added pictures of our little girl, but I'm not very hopeful about that!

Apologies for this being so long, I just thought I'd try and seek some advice before I spend 30 mins on hold to the warranty people. Thanks!

daz_f · 16-05-2007, 16:26

if the pictures are that important and any other files.
i would take the HD out and stick it in a pc as a slave and take the files off then refit it to the lappy and do a restore.if restores and its still not right make a claim

loster · 16-05-2007, 19:46

Hi,

Laptop hard drives won't fit on a PC. Boot up in Safe mode with Networking, get a Pen drive and then copy all your data files to the pen drive then boot up from the recovery cds and restore to factory defaults.

Adam D · 16-05-2007, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by loster

Hi,

Laptop hard drives won't fit on a PC. Boot up in Safe mode with Networking, get a Pen drive and then copy all your data files to the pen drive then boot up from the recovery cds and restore to factory defaults.

What i was going to say.

Although you can get converters for less than a tenner for these things, i have one just incase anything happens with my laptop or friends laptops.

HypA · 17-05-2007, 08:17

Thanks for the replies, the only problem is that none of our files are showing up! I take it this means that I've already lost the files so I'll have nothing to lose by using the recovery discs?

IggyTheSmidge · 17-05-2007, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by HypA

Thanks for the replies, the only problem is that none of our files are showing up! I take it this means that I've already lost the files so I'll have nothing to lose by using the recovery discs?

When you say 'none of our files are showing up', where are you looking?

Go to C:\Documents and Settings\ in 'My Computer'. You will see the usernames of the accounts on the laptop.
Double click on your main one, and see if your files are in the 'My Documents' folder.

HypA · 17-05-2007, 13:41

When I say files I mean MP3s, word docs and photos etc. The only things showing up were the sample folders.

It gets weirder now - I tried to do a system restore (to an earlier date IYKWIM) which didn't work. Then I tried it again and left the laptop alone for about 20 minutes, when I checked it windows HAD loaded propperly...but all the files are still missing? The internet is still installed, so is Itunes but the musics gone, and even my boyfriends football manager game is still on here!

Anyone know what the hell could have happened??

16-05-2007, 16:20	#1
HypA Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 13	Laptop won't load...Help! Hi, I was wondering if I could ask for some advice. We have a laptop, bought brand new in Dec 2005. On Sunday night it crashed and a blue screen came up saying something about a hardware error, and to contact our vendor. This has come up before, but it's always loaded back up fine afterwards. This time it did load up, but it was extremely slow so I restarted again, and this time it didn't load back up. It goes onto the Windows XP loading page, but nothing happens. It also won't load in Safe Mode, or if I select "last known good configuration". The only way I can get it to work is by using Safe Mode with Networking. None of our pictures and files are accessible when it's on (not sure if that's just because it's in Safe Mode ) I'm covered by an extended warranty, but I have a feeling they'll say it's a software problem, and software issues aren't covered. I have the recovery discs, but I don't want to use them until I know for sure I won't completely screw the thing up. I'd also really love to rescue some recently added pictures of our little girl, but I'm not very hopeful about that! Apologies for this being so long, I just thought I'd try and seek some advice before I spend 30 mins on hold to the warranty people. Thanks!

16-05-2007, 16:26	#2
daz_f Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Manchester Services: Eastenders - Rocks ♥ Lauren Crace Is Gorgeous ♥ Posts: 3,414 Blog Entries: 1	if the pictures are that important and any other files. i would take the HD out and stick it in a pc as a slave and take the files off then refit it to the lappy and do a restore.if restores and its still not right make a claim

16-05-2007, 19:46	#3
loster Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 127	Hi, Laptop hard drives won't fit on a PC. Boot up in Safe mode with Networking, get a Pen drive and then copy all your data files to the pen drive then boot up from the recovery cds and restore to factory defaults.

17-05-2007, 08:17	#5
HypA Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 13	Thanks for the replies, the only problem is that none of our files are showing up! I take it this means that I've already lost the files so I'll have nothing to lose by using the recovery discs?

17-05-2007, 13:41	#7
HypA Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 13	When I say files I mean MP3s, word docs and photos etc. The only things showing up were the sample folders. It gets weirder now - I tried to do a system restore (to an earlier date IYKWIM) which didn't work. Then I tried it again and left the laptop alone for about 20 minutes, when I checked it windows HAD loaded propperly...but all the files are still missing? The internet is still installed, so is Itunes but the musics gone, and even my boyfriends football manager game is still on here! Anyone know what the hell could have happened??