| Subject: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 6:26:51 PM |
| From: Keith Russell [Email Address Protection] |
I hope someone can help me before I give up on Microsoft and HP forever.... For the third time since I bought my 64-bit Vista Ultimate HP laptop last October, it is refusing to boot. I get a message saying "Windows failed to start," indicating that there might be a hardware or software incompatibility and giving me the following two choices: "Launch Startup Repair (recommended) Start Windows normally" Trying to start Windows normally just puts me in a loop. Launching Startup Repair gives me the following: "Windows failed to start.... To fix the problem: 1. Insert your Windows installation disc 2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next". 3. Click "Repair your computer". Status: 0xc000000f Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible." The cause of the problem this time (but not the previous two) is that Windows was shut down abnormally. (I thought I was hibernating, when, if fact, I was turning it completely off. :-( ) It's unlikely that there is really a compatibility problem. The problem is that I do not have a Windows installation disc. All I have is HP's System Destruction DVD (They call it a System Recovery DVD). I have been partitioning my hard drive for years to protect my data in a separate logical partition. On several previous systems, I have been able to reinstall Windows--sometimes using a repair option--with minor impact on my system, and without affecting my data partition. However, HP only allows me to reformat my entire hard drive and "recover" the OS and HP's applications. Twice now, I have lost all my data as well as my application settings. (I do do backups, which I have been able to restore, but it seems that it's always several weeks after my last backup when the system decides to crash.) Since the last time this happened, I have not even had a chance to reinstall all my applications. Today I actually headed over to the local university to buy a "real" Vista disc so that I could run a Startup Repair. (I qualify for an academic discount.) Unfortunately, they sell only Vista Business (not Ultimate) in an academic version. Other college bookstores in the area are closed today, so I'm in waiting mode. Also, after talking to the bookstore employees, I'm not sure this will work even if I'm able to find an Ultimate upgrade disc. Can anyone answer the following questions for me? 1. Is there any way I can repair my installation using HP's system recovery disc, without losing all my data? (This would be the preferred option if it will work, of course.) 2. Will I be able to reinstall (preferably a repair reinstall) to an OEM system using an upgrade disc with a difference license? 3. Would it be possible to buy the Vista Business upgrade and use it to recover my system files on my existing Vista Ultimate system? Any additional suggestions, of course, would be very gladly accepted. Thanks very much in advance. -- Keith -- Keith |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 7:36:54 PM |
| From: "Charles W Davis" [Email Address Protection] |
"Keith Russell" <dtov-hb8l@xemaps.com> wrote in message news:oain841elgsm7o3tt79ta5l2oj43n3ldem@4ax.com... >I hope someone can help me before I give up on Microsoft and HP > forever.... > > For the third time since I bought my 64-bit Vista Ultimate HP > laptop last October, it is refusing to boot. I get a message > saying "Windows failed to start," indicating that there might be > a hardware or software incompatibility and giving me the > following two choices: > > "Launch Startup Repair (recommended) > Start Windows normally" > > Trying to start Windows normally just puts me in a loop. > Launching Startup Repair gives me the following: > > "Windows failed to start.... To fix the problem: > > 1. Insert your Windows installation disc > 2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next". > 3. Click "Repair your computer". > > Status: 0xc000000f > Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is > inaccessible." > > The cause of the problem this time (but not the previous two) is > that Windows was shut down abnormally. (I thought I was > hibernating, when, if fact, I was turning it completely off. :-( > ) It's unlikely that there is really a compatibility problem. > > The problem is that I do not have a Windows installation disc. > All I have is HP's System Destruction DVD (They call it a System > Recovery DVD). I have been partitioning my hard drive for years > to protect my data in a separate logical partition. On several > previous systems, I have been able to reinstall > Windows--sometimes using a repair option--with minor impact on my > system, and without affecting my data partition. However, HP only > allows me to reformat my entire hard drive and "recover" the OS > and HP's applications. Twice now, I have lost all my data as well > as my application settings. (I do do backups, which I have been > able to restore, but it seems that it's always several weeks > after my last backup when the system decides to crash.) Since the > last time this happened, I have not even had a chance to > reinstall all my applications. > > Today I actually headed over to the local university to buy a > "real" Vista disc so that I could run a Startup Repair. (I > qualify for an academic discount.) Unfortunately, they sell only > Vista Business (not Ultimate) in an academic version. Other > college bookstores in the area are closed today, so I'm in > waiting mode. Also, after talking to the bookstore employees, I'm > not sure this will work even if I'm able to find an Ultimate > upgrade disc. > > Can anyone answer the following questions for me? > > 1. Is there any way I can repair my installation using HP's > system recovery disc, without losing all my data? (This would be > the preferred option if it will work, of course.) > > 2. Will I be able to reinstall (preferably a repair reinstall) to > an OEM system using an upgrade disc with a difference license? > > 3. Would it be possible to buy the Vista Business upgrade and use > it to recover my system files on my existing Vista Ultimate > system? > > Any additional suggestions, of course, would be very gladly > accepted. Thanks very much in advance. > > -- > Keith > -- > Keith On start up, immediately press F11. This will allow the reinstallation of the system from the D: Recovery partition if it hasn't been corrupted. Otherwise, use the System Recovery disks that you burned to DVD when you first started up the computer. You did do that didn't you? If not, HP will be glad to sell you as set, which I have heard costs $10 each. You shouldn't lose all of your data, but if you have a handy friend that can remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer to remove the files, I would advise that. Not a different license. |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 8:21:35 PM |
| From: ray [Email Address Protection] |
On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:26:51 -0600, Keith Russell wrote: > I hope someone can help me before I give up on Microsoft and HP > forever.... > > For the third time since I bought my 64-bit Vista Ultimate HP laptop > last October, it is refusing to boot. I get a message saying "Windows > failed to start," indicating that there might be a hardware or software > incompatibility and giving me the following two choices: > > "Launch Startup Repair (recommended) > Start Windows normally" > > Trying to start Windows normally just puts me in a loop. Launching > Startup Repair gives me the following: > > "Windows failed to start.... To fix the problem: > > 1. Insert your Windows installation disc 2. Choose your language > settings, and then click "Next". 3. Click "Repair your computer". > > Status: 0xc000000f > Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is > inaccessible." > > The cause of the problem this time (but not the previous two) is that > Windows was shut down abnormally. (I thought I was hibernating, when, if > fact, I was turning it completely off. :-( ) It's unlikely that there is > really a compatibility problem. > > The problem is that I do not have a Windows installation disc. All I > have is HP's System Destruction DVD (They call it a System Recovery > DVD). I have been partitioning my hard drive for years to protect my > data in a separate logical partition. On several previous systems, I > have been able to reinstall Windows--sometimes using a repair > option--with minor impact on my system, and without affecting my data > partition. However, HP only allows me to reformat my entire hard drive > and "recover" the OS and HP's applications. Twice now, I have lost all > my data as well as my application settings. (I do do backups, which I > have been able to restore, but it seems that it's always several weeks > after my last backup when the system decides to crash.) Since the last > time this happened, I have not even had a chance to reinstall all my > applications. > > Today I actually headed over to the local university to buy a "real" > Vista disc so that I could run a Startup Repair. (I qualify for an > academic discount.) Unfortunately, they sell only Vista Business (not > Ultimate) in an academic version. Other college bookstores in the area > are closed today, so I'm in waiting mode. Also, after talking to the > bookstore employees, I'm not sure this will work even if I'm able to > find an Ultimate upgrade disc. > > Can anyone answer the following questions for me? > > 1. Is there any way I can repair my installation using HP's system > recovery disc, without losing all my data? (This would be the preferred > option if it will work, of course.) > > 2. Will I be able to reinstall (preferably a repair reinstall) to an OEM > system using an upgrade disc with a difference license? > > 3. Would it be possible to buy the Vista Business upgrade and use it to > recover my system files on my existing Vista Ultimate system? > > Any additional suggestions, of course, would be very gladly accepted. > Thanks very much in advance. > > -- > Keith I'd suggest you boot a Linux Live CD and back up your data to either a flash drive or external hard disk - then you can continue playing games with MS without fear of losing data. |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 8:26:27 PM |
| From: Keith Russell [Email Address Protection] |
On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:36:54 -0700, "Charles W Davis" <Anthemwebs@lvcoxmail.com> wrote: >On start up, immediately press F11. This will allow the reinstallation of >the system from the D: Recovery partition if it hasn't been corrupted. >Otherwise, use the System Recovery disks that you burned to DVD when you >first started up the computer. You did do that didn't you? If not, HP will >be glad to sell you as set, which I have heard costs $10 each. > >You shouldn't lose all of your data, If I understand what you're saying, this is exactly what HP had me do the last two times, and it DOES lose all my data. It formats the entire hard drive and does a clean install, just like it came from the factory--with all my data and programs gone. > but if you have a handy friend that can >remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer to remove the >files, I would advise that. I think you're suggesting installing my primary drive as a slave drive on a second PC, which would allow me to read the data and copy it elsewhere, right? I actually have another PC I could use for this purpose. The problem is that this is a laptop, and I don't think I want to go opening it up to remove the hard drive. Alternatively, is there a way to connect the two PCs so that I would have access to my laptop files? >Not a different license. ??? Thanks. -- Keith -- Keith |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 8:32:16 PM |
| From: Nonny [Email Address Protection] |
On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:26:27 -0600, Keith Russell <dtov-hb8l@xemaps.com> wrote: >On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:36:54 -0700, "Charles W Davis" ><Anthemwebs@lvcoxmail.com> wrote: > >>On start up, immediately press F11. This will allow the reinstallation of >>the system from the D: Recovery partition if it hasn't been corrupted. >>Otherwise, use the System Recovery disks that you burned to DVD when you >>first started up the computer. You did do that didn't you? If not, HP will >>be glad to sell you as set, which I have heard costs $10 each. >> >>You shouldn't lose all of your data, > >If I understand what you're saying, this is exactly what HP had >me do the last two times, and it DOES lose all my data. It >formats the entire hard drive and does a clean install, just like >it came from the factory--with all my data and programs gone. You are right. Charles missed that one BIG time. >> but if you have a handy friend that can >>remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer to remove the >>files, I would advise that. > >I think you're suggesting installing my primary drive as a slave >drive on a second PC, which would allow me to read the data and >copy it elsewhere, right? I actually have another PC I could use >for this purpose. The problem is that this is a laptop, and I >don't think I want to go opening it up to remove the hard drive. USB Hard drive enclosures are cheap... can be had for about $20. >Alternatively, is there a way to connect the two PCs so that I >would have access to my laptop files? > >>Not a different license. > >??? > >Thanks. > >-- >Keith |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 11:15:12 PM |
| From: wrat@panix.com (the wharf rat) |
In article <oain841elgsm7o3tt79ta5l2oj43n3ldem@4ax.com>, Keith Russell <dtov-hb8l@xemaps.com> wrote: >I hope someone can help me before I give up on Microsoft and HP >forever.... > >For the third time since I bought my 64-bit Vista Ultimate HP >laptop last October, it is refusing to boot. I get a message >saying "Windows failed to start," indicating that there might be >a hardware or software incompatibility and giving me the >following two choices: > Ok, first of all, this sounds like a hardware problem so you should demand a warranty replacement. That being said, you want to recover your data no matter what. This idea will take a little bit of tinkering but you should at least get your data back. Computer stores sell a thing called a usb-ide adaptor. It costs about twenty bucks. Get one, and make sure it's a 44 pin 2.5" ide adaptor. Now remove your laptop's hard drive from the case and from the carrier (most laptops first install the drive in a kind of pull out tray) The instructions for that will be in your user's manual. It can be a little fiddly with all the little screws and such so be patient and remember not to force anything: if it doesn't move with a few ounces of force you missed a screw or a catch so go back. Next just hook up the laptop drive to the usb cable adaptor run chkdsk and copy your stuff to a safe place (use a desktop or another laptop). At this point you may be able to boot the repaired (and reseated!) drive or you can buy a second drive, install a oem windows to that, and try an get it working but I think you should get a warranty replacement from HP. |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/26/2008 11:16:30 PM |
| From: wrat@panix.com (the wharf rat) |
In article <jdqn84p5utrpdrofdkf38bcskbt3eqc9hm@4ax.com>, Keith Russell <dtov-hb8l@xemaps.com> wrote: > >for this purpose. The problem is that this is a laptop, and I >don't think I want to go opening it up to remove the hard drive. > You won't have to. The drive is a user replaceable part and will be behind a litte door or lid of some kind and slide right out. |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/27/2008 6:59:08 PM |
| From: Keith Russell [Email Address Protection] |
On 27 Jul 2008 03:21:35 GMT, ray <ray@zianet.com> wrote: >I'd suggest you boot a Linux Live CD and back up your data to either a >flash drive or external hard disk - then you can continue playing games >with MS without fear of losing data. Ray, This SOUNDS like a good idea. However, I haven't used Linux for so long.... Will current versions of Linux back up from and to NTFS? Would I be able to do a file-by-file backup, or would it be an image? Is there a particular Linux that would be good for this task? Thanks! -- Keith -- Keith |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/27/2008 7:16:29 PM |
| From: norm [Email Address Protection] |
Keith Russell wrote: > On 27 Jul 2008 03:21:35 GMT, ray <ray@zianet.com> wrote: > > >> I'd suggest you boot a Linux Live CD and back up your data to either a >> flash drive or external hard disk - then you can continue playing games >> with MS without fear of losing data. > > Ray, > > This SOUNDS like a good idea. However, I haven't used Linux for > so long.... > > Will current versions of Linux back up from and to NTFS? Would I > be able to do a file-by-file backup, or would it be an image? > > Is there a particular Linux that would be good for this task? > > Thanks! > I have used knoppix very successfully for such a purpose. http://www.knoppix.net/ Others may chime in with their own preferences. -- norm |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/28/2008 12:33:21 AM |
| From: Keith Russell [Email Address Protection] |
I forgot one important question. Assuming I can use Linux (Knoppix, for example) to back up NTFS files, what is the procedure? Do I use a command-line command? Which one, and with which parameters? Thanks again! -- Keith -- Keith |
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| Subject: Re: Need Help Saving My Data |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general |
| Date: 7/28/2008 7:07:43 AM |
| From: ray [Email Address Protection] |
On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:33:21 -0600, Keith Russell wrote: > I forgot one important question. > > Assuming I can use Linux (Knoppix, for example) to back up NTFS files, > what is the procedure? Do I use a command-line command? Which one, and > with which parameters? > > Thanks again! > > -- > Keith Linux systems can read and write NTFS via the ntfs-3g software. If I were doing it, I would probably use the command line 'cp' program to copy files and directories - but that's because I don't normally use any sort of file manager. I'm sure one of the Linux GUI file managers would work as well. For directories, one would use the '-r' option - copy recursively. I'd also suggest -a (can combine as '-ar') to preserve creation data. |
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