Please help me - Windows not loading

waddler_8

If it's getting as far as the windows loading screen then there is nothing wrong with the MBR. It sounds more like a driver issue.

KiKi

closed wrote: »

what happened on screen when you tried to reinstall windows without a hard disk in.

It loaded the files from the CD and got as far as asking me to select language (which I did) and then asking me to agree to reinstall Vista (no other options). I stopped at this point!

unless it's a big laptop, 17", it's unlikely to have 2 hard disks in.

15", I think. I can't see how it can have another in it - I've removed all the base bits and there's nothing. Plus, this E partition is the right size - just seemingly blank.

which is the ladt driver it hits before stopping, mup??

In Safe Mode with Command Prompt, the last one listed is:

Loaded: \windows\system32\drivers\disk.sys
Loaded: \windows\system32\drivers\CLASSPNP.sys
Loaded: \windows\system32\drivers\crcdisk.sys
Loaded: \windows\system32\DRIVERS\CplIR.sys

Then it just reboots when it realises it can go no further, and takes me to choose normal or Launch Startup Repair. Which doesn't work!

what make is the hard disk, Toshiba?

Toshiba laptop, but Fujitsu HDD (or so it's labelled...!).


Thank you all.

debitcardmayhem

waddler_8 wrote: »

If it's getting as far as the windows loading screen then there is nothing wrong with the MBR. It sounds more like a driver issue.

Sorry I meant the partition table is fu'd it shows as raw ie the bit is wrong. Hence why I suggest something like testdisk ^^^

closed

http://storage.toshiba.com/storage-services-support/warranty-support/software-utilities

crc errors point to faulty hd, try a drive diagnostic

KiKi

waddler_8 wrote: »

Going back to the recovery disk, can you boot with that to the Recovery Environment?

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

I'll have a look at that - but that's not the images I get when I try and recover. Thanks.

However, the page you linked to shows the Startup Repair. I have tried that from the very initial start up page and it just doesn't do anything. Same as before - does 'Windows loading files', gets to the point of the Microsoft page and stops.

When pressing f8, have you disabled "automatic restart on system failure" If you haven't do that and try to boot into windows - see if you get a blue screen error and make a note of any information.

Just done that, but it continues to go to the Microsoft launch page with the whizzying green bar and just stops. It doesn't crash, I have to physically turn the laptop off. So when I switch it back on again it just goes back to the normal or safe mode options.

Tried it with the command prompt again, as it does reboot when that happens, but the same thing. No blue screen, I'm afraid.

Same file everytime? What file is it?

As above post from me.

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Test Disk may help us out but I need to read up first http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step

It comes with gparted live, but we need to read

I'm not ignoring you on this post but I have no idea what I means so I can't comment!!

Seriously, thank you all so much for taking the time to post and try and help, you have no idea how lovely it is to know people are trying to do stuff for me!

KiKi

spud17

Did one with exactly the same symptoms, RAW, need to format etc, just before Christmas.

I used what dcm is linking to testdisk/photorec. http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec

I ended up with umpteen folders of data, it really worked, but it takes ages to sort the data from the dross, including loads of deleted files....... even the 'candid' ones of his girlfriend!
I can no longer look them in the eye.:D
Also you need to have a bit of knowledge about what you're looking for, file types, extensions etc.
After you've retrieved as much as possible, it is possible to attempt to rewrite the partition table as per the 'step by step' guide, you need to proceed carefully and [STRIKE]double[/STRIKE] quadruple read the instructions.

The repair worked and the drive kept running long enough for me to retrieve the data a second time, it gave up the ghost when I started running the manufacturers diagnostics on it.

Another to try is http://www.z-a-recovery.com/

There is a 'trial' version which allows 4GB of files to be recovered, I think, per run.

spud17

The problem with running diagnostics is that it can stress the disk if it's on its way out. In my case I chose to save the data first, then diagnose, my decision was vindicated by the disk failing soon after starting to run Seatools.

debitcardmayhem

Evening spud, Testdisk could be able to recover the boot sector of the partition using the backup boot sector

KiKi

spud17 wrote: »

Did one with exactly the same symptoms, RAW, need to format etc, just before Christmas.

I used what dcm is linking to testdisk/photorec. http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec

I ended up with umpteen folders of data, it really worked, but it takes ages to sort the data from the dross, including loads of deleted files....... even the 'candid' ones of his girlfriend!
I can no longer look them in the eye.:D
Also you need to have a bit of knowledge about what you're looking for, file types, extensions etc.
After you've retrieved as much as possible, it is possible to attempt to rewrite the partition table as per the 'step by step' guide, you need to proceed carefully and [STRIKE]double[/STRIKE] quadruple read the instructions.

The repair worked and the drive kept running long enough for me to retrieve the data a second time, it gave up the ghost when I started running the manufacturers diagnostics on it.

Another to try is http://www.z-a-recovery.com/

There is a 'trial' version which allows 4GB of files to be recovered, I think, per run.

Ew on the girlfriend!!!

I don't care about making it better, I'm happy to dump the HDD once I get the data off if I can't fix it.

But thank you for the message of hope - I do know what I'm looking for, as I know exactly what's on there, and even if I just get my work files off that's good enough for me for now.

A friend of mine is a programmer and v good with computers - although he doesn't do them in 'bits' - so I might do it at his place so he can follow the instructions and help me with the things I don't understand. I've got a back up of most stuff, so as long as I can get the recent stuff since November that would be amazing.

I'll review that link at the weekend and have a go.

KiKi

KiKi

Just to add, it wouldn't surprise me if it is on its way out; I've had it 5 years, I use it every day, for hours on end, and for 18 months it was probably on for a good 12 hours each day. It's travelled to Aus and back around 15 times, so it's done me very very good service. I can't be too critical!

KiKi