laptop won't boot. dammit

[OGC]

My laptop was working fine today at work. Instead of powering it off,I put it in sleep mode (I do this quite often) and headed home. When I got home I set it on the table pushed the on button and closed the lid and had dinner. When I came back to it and opened the lid, the blue screen of death was waiting there. I powered down and back on and it gets to the "dell" boot screen (f2 for setup f12 for boot menu), goes black then back to that same screen, and just cycles like that over and over.

I tried safe mode, and last known successful configuration and they both do the same thing.

any ideas or suggestions ?

(and please don't start with the "get a mac" comments. )

[Hottub]

I had this happen last week on a print server at the office. Boot, cycle, boot, etc.
It was the HD. Try to get one more good boot, or a network connection and save your shit to an outside drive.

[SatCam]

Put the HD into another computer and boot onto that computer's primary HD and use its OS to see what's doing with your drive

[OGC]

Yeah, I have an external enclosure and an adapter I can hook the laptop hard drive up to.

The trick is finding the enclosure and adapter.

[boosterp]

Missing the boot sector of the drive, you can use a rescue disk to boot the computer.

[KnoxHarrington]

Missing the boot sector of the drive, you can use a rescue disk to boot the computer.

Yeah, I think this is pretty much it. Though I'd also want to test that to make sure there's not a larger hardware issue with the drive controller or motherboard as well. I'm worried that it's having BSOD's during the startup process. That's not good.

(and you really should get a Mac anyway)

[biggestmexi]

Less its an Eee PC its not getting in there.
http://www.made-in-jiangsu.com/image/2f0j00BeMtHvOGgEWpM/Ranger-Boot-LR-L028-.jpg

[Reynolds]

I had a problem like this the other day, and the RAM just needed to be reseated. If you ca google the exact error message on the BSOD you might get some hits on message boards with people having the same problem.

[MisterSmith]

If you have the external enclosure and your good computer can see the drive, pull up a command prompt and run 'chkdsk /r' on the connected drive. For example, if your externally connected drive is F: then it would be: chkdsk f: /r

That should help "repair" bad sectors and reallocate retrieved data. Hopefully it will be enough to get your laptop to boot.

However, you need to backup as this type of error usually means a failing HD. Not always, but I would say 98% of the time.

***And if there are errors present it will probably take a while to run chkdsk. Have patience.

[OGC]

Missing the boot sector of the drive, you can use a rescue disk to boot the computer.

any idea where I can download something so I can burn a rescue disc ?

Yeah, I think this is pretty much it. Though I'd also want to test that to make sure there's not a larger hardware issue with the drive controller or motherboard as well. I'm worried that it's having BSOD's during the startup process. That's not good.

(and you really should get a Mac anyway)


I am not getting a BSOD during boot up though. When I last used the computer, I put it into sleep (hibernate or whatever). When I powered it back on (not really a reboot) the BSOD appeared. I then pressed the power button to power it off and then rebooted and got the boot screen over and over.

As far as getting a mac goes, are you telling me that hard drives don't fail on them ?

[KingGeno]

First off, if you put your computer into a Sleep mode and it fails during that, you motherboard may still be in the thinking that it SHOULD be in sleep mode. Had this happen last week to my friend's computer. I suggest that you pop out the little quarter sized CMOS battery out of the motherboard of the laptop.....if you can. Looks like this:

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/cmos.gif

or

http://www.portables.co.uk/images/products/412_img.jpg

After that you will want to pop the laptop batter pack out, and hold the power button down for 15 seconds. Make sure you do this while unplugged. Pop both batteries back in, and boot again. What that does is it reset the BIOS and CMOS, and when you turn the computer back on it will ask you to enter the BIOS and update the system to the current time. This will also reset any manual adjustments you've made in the BIOS (overclocking, etc). If you post

this may resolve your issue. If your computer does hit the POST (start showing info about the bootup process), but doesn't go into Windows, you prob have issues with your bootup process. You will then need a Windows disc to run the Recovery console. Make sure that you have CD-ROM set as the first boot device in the BIOS though.

[OGC]

Another thing. Is it possible to run diagnostics from the windows installation disc ? Can I boot from that and run chkdsk ?

[instrument]

If you don't get a mac at least get a linux.............

[KingGeno]

Another thing. Is it possible to run diagnostics from the windows installation disc ? Can I boot from that and run chkdsk ?

I don't think it is your disk. Take it one step at a time when issues like this pop up. Start with the memory sticks, then reset CMOS (instructions I posted above), etc. Hard drive should be one of the last things you check.

[OGC]

I don't think it is your disk. Take it one step at a time when issues like this pop up. Start with the memory sticks, then reset CMOS (instructions I posted above), etc. Hard drive should be one of the last things you check.

Makes sense. I will reset the memory and then remove and reinsert the battery first.

[MisterSmith]

I don't think it is your disk. Take it one step at a time when issues like this pop up. Start with the memory sticks, then reset CMOS (instructions I posted above), etc. Hard drive should be one of the last things you check.

I agree that you should try the other things, but I do think it is the disk. I had the same thing happen to a client's computer just yesterday and it was the disk.

And per your question, YES you can use your Windows installation CD and run chkdsk. When it loads and gives you the options to install Windows, go to Recovery Console, etc. click R to go to Recovery Console.

[OGC]

Ok, i removed the button battery and re sat the memory
. When I rebooted it had me reenter the date and time (so I know the bios got reset), but it still does the same thing, boot screen over and over.

When I try to run diagnostics from the windows install disc,it ask me to insert the floppy (no floppy drive on this laptop)

(edit: that was the Automatic recovery system. I am trying MisterSmith's suggestion now)

I have a new hard drive for this laptop so I will be reinstalling windows fresh to that. I am just looking to rescue some data from the old hard drive at this point.

[OGC]

Wahooooo !!!! :clap::clap:

you guys are terrific !!!

I ran the chkdsk from my windows install disc and have my computer back.

I will take the warning and backup my stuff and start with a fresh install on a new hard drive.


Thank you so much buddies.

[MisterSmith]

Wahooooo !!!! :clap::clap:

you guys are terrific !!!

I ran the chkdsk from my windows install disc and have my computer back.

I will take the warning and backup my stuff and start with a fresh install on a new hard drive.


Thank you so much buddies.

Excellent! Glad to hear it.

I don't know what is going on, but I have run into this same problem on client computers several times in the last few weeks. Luckily chkdsk has worked in most cases.

Now go and backup your stuff! :thumbup:

[OGC]

......
Now go and backup your stuff! :thumbup:

Actually I learned that lesson last year when my external hard drive had troubles (managed to fix that one too). My important data (pictures mostly) is burned to dvds now. The only things I worried about losing was emails, configurations, and about a months worth of pictures.

From now on, when I transfer digital pictures from my camera, I will transfer it to an external hard drive and my laptop, and when I get enough to fill a DVD, I'll burn them.

[boosterp]

chdsk ran so it is clear that the boot sector was messed up. This is good news of sorts, but go here and make a boot CD just in case. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=55820edb-5039-4955-bcb7-4fed408ea73f&displaylang=en)

[SatCam]

Wahooooo !!!! :clap::clap:

you guys are terrific !!!

I ran the chkdsk from my windows install disc and have my computer back.

I will take the warning and backup my stuff and start with a fresh install on a new hard drive.


Thank you so much buddies.

I wouldnt toss the old harddisk just yet. It sounds like the filesystem on your harddrive was corrupted somehow by sleep mode. That isn't necessarily a hardware issue, could have just been a Windows bug that messed up the filesystem

[cougarjake13]

i had a somewhat similar problem


my laptop would turn on ok and get to the desktop but after that no program or internet access or nothing would work


had to erase hd and start all over


thank god i just use this laptop for email, messgaeboards, etc so i didnt lose anything important

[Death Metal Moe]

i had a somewhat similar problem


my laptop would turn on ok and get to the desktop but after that no program or internet access or nothing would work


had to erase hd and start all over


thank god i just use this laptop to masturbate like I'm in a race against time.

Ewwwww.

[cougarjake13]

Ewwwww.

that actually may have played a part in it all

[Death Metal Moe]

that actually may have played a part in it all

Of course. Porn has probably been the source of all my computer infections over the year. You think I'd learn or buy it from a more safe source, but of course not.

[OGC]

I wouldnt toss the old harddisk just yet. It sounds like the filesystem on your harddrive was corrupted somehow by sleep mode. That isn't necessarily a hardware issue, could have just been a Windows bug that messed up the filesystem


No, I won't toss it but it has been almost 3 years since installed that hard drive in and did the last clean install. I figure that now that the old drive is working, it would be a great time to do a clean install on the new drive, get things set up just right there and then burn an image of that drive to DVD to make it easier next time.

[OGC]

Is there software available (preferably free) that will scan my computer and note all of the registration codes for the software I have installed ?

It would make things easier on my clean install.

[boosterp]

Is there software available (preferably free) that will scan my computer and note all of the registration codes for the software I have installed ?

It would make things easier on my clean install.

I only wish, it would require integration and cooperation between software companies.

[OGC]

Ok, I am just about all set with the new hard drive. It sure is nice to be able to have the old hard drive to copy/move things from.

edit : Nevermind, I have solved this problem (google is my friend)

I set up the new hard drive with 30 gig/40 gig/40 gig partitions with windows installed on the 30 gig. As I was doing the windows installation I accidentally started installing it to one of the 40 gig partitions. I realized the mistake before it was very far along, quit that install and then did it correctly. Now whenever I power up it seems to think that there are 2 windows XP installations and asks me which one I want to use. I have formatted both of the 40 gig partitions but that hasn't helped. Neither 40 gig partition has much of anything on it so wiping them wouldn't be a problem. Any ideas ?


2nd question - once I get the computer set the way I like, I want to image the windows install partition to an external hard drive (or a DVD if it fits) so I can start fresh easier next tiime. Any recommendations on what software to use (again, free is better :laugh:)

[MisterSmith]

Sorry, I have been out of the loop lately and missed some posts. Damn.

Is there software available (preferably free) that will scan my computer and note all of the registration codes for the software I have installed ?

It would make things easier on my clean install.
Download Belarc Advisor, it should be on download.com. It is free and will be able to provide many of your software keys - not all, but many.

Ok, I am just about all set with the new hard drive. It sure is nice to be able to have the old hard drive to copy/move things from.

edit : Nevermind, I have solved this problem (google is my friend)

I set up the new hard drive with 30 gig/40 gig/40 gig partitions with windows installed on the 30 gig. As I was doing the windows installation I accidentally started installing it to one of the 40 gig partitions. I realized the mistake before it was very far along, quit that install and then did it correctly. Now whenever I power up it seems to think that there are 2 windows XP installations and asks me which one I want to use. I have formatted both of the 40 gig partitions but that hasn't helped. Neither 40 gig partition has much of anything on it so wiping them wouldn't be a problem. Any ideas ?


2nd question - once I get the computer set the way I like, I want to image the windows install partition to an external hard drive (or a DVD if it fits) so I can start fresh easier next tiime. Any recommendations on what software to use (again, free is better :laugh:)

First question - try this: Start -> Run -> msconfig -> boot.ini Tab -> "Check all boot paths" button. Occasionally your system will think more than one OS is installed, especially if you do something like you did, do an OS repair, etc., even though there is only one valid OS loaded. Most times 'Check paths' will be able to identify the pointers that don't go anywhere, remove them (with your permission), and you won't see multiple installs when only one exists.

2nd question - I am looking for that myself, although I haven't done much searching yet. I usually stop at download.com if I need free software/utilities. :thumbup:

[OGC]

Sorry, I have been out of the loop lately and missed some posts. Damn.


Download Belarc Advisor, it should be on download.com. It is free and will be able to provide many of your software keys - not all, but many.



First question - try this: Start -> Run -> msconfig -> boot.ini Tab -> "Check all boot paths" button. Occasionally your system will think more than one OS is installed, especially if you do something like you did, do an OS repair, etc., even though there is only one valid OS loaded. Most times 'Check paths' will be able to identify the pointers that don't go anywhere, remove them (with your permission), and you won't see multiple installs when only one exists.

2nd question - I am looking for that myself, although I haven't done much searching yet. I usually stop at download.com if I need free software/utilities. :thumbup:


Yeah, I solved the 2 operating systems problem in a similar way myself. It just involved deleting a line from the boot.ini.

I did a little research and downloaded DriveImage XML and am playing with it. It seems to do what I need but I am not sure about being able to burn the results to cds/dvds.

I will check out Belarc Advisor too.

Thanks for the input

[boosterp]

As for the image on an external I just use Windows' backup utility. Works great for my purposes and has saved my arse before.

[OGC]

As for the image on an external I just use Windows' backup utility. Works great for my purposes and has saved my arse before.

What I am looking for is something that will image my windows install drive and allow me to burn it to dvds so that if I have to start from scratch again, I'll just have to insert the dvd, boot from that drive and follow the menus and get my clean install with all of my programs set up just like I have them now.

[boosterp]

What I am looking for is something that will image my windows install drive and allow me to burn it to dvds so that if I have to start from scratch again, I'll just have to insert the dvd, boot from that drive and follow the menus and get my clean install with all of my programs set up just like I have them now.

Oh...

Unfortunately I only know of pay programs that will do that.

Due to legality I can not suggest a torrent, but I could suggest a program or two of you'd like. ;)

[OGC]

Oh...

Unfortunately I only know of pay programs that will do that.

Due to legality I can not suggest a torrent, but I could suggest a program or two of you'd like. ;)


It would ease my mind to know that I can easily restore my computer. I guess that the cost of the program would be worth it.

Suggest away.

[boosterp]

It would ease my mind to know that I can easily restore my computer. I guess that the cost of the program would be worth it.

Suggest away.

Used it before and like it. (http://download.cnet.com/Acronis-True-Image-Home/3000-2242_4-10168093.html)

[OGC]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will check that out.

I got a new enclosure and put my old hard drive in, maybe I can find a freeware application will allow me to save the image to that and easily restore it in case of hard disc failure..