windows vista startup problem

greggp_2

my dell inspiron laptop decided to play up today and wont boot. Did some microsoft updates on it friday evening and all shut down fine but today wont boot at all and wont let me start it in safe mode!! I have done all the system repair wizard and attempted system restore but it wont repair or boot. I have tried booting from the vista operating disc which came with the laptop but no joy. I am now thinking the only way to get this working propely again would be to re-install vista? Only concern I have is I can't access my files, photos and music etc to backup before I re install? Is there any way of accessing the files and saving them before I attempt a clean install?

Any help much appreciated
Thanks

johnmc

To boot from a CD you need to enable the function in the BIOS (Dell normally disable it).

Will it let you in? Not sure of the function key in a Dell, but it is usually F2 or Delete.

Once that's enabled there's a number of boot discs on the web that will enable you to start the machine and run it in Linux, fix the boot files etc.

victor2

I recently used a Knoppix (just google it) bootable CD to access a laptop which would not boot normally, and copy the data off it onto a USB stick. Then put XP on it, instead of Vista, which made it a whole load better!

greggp_2

Okay thanks, I will have to try and have a look on pc at work tomorrow so I can download a boot program, can I boot this from a usb stick or better to download onto a cd?

debitcardmayhem

This may help, it is available as a CD(.iso) or will run from a USB too http://www.sysresccd.org/ it has a few tools and will allow you to save stuff onto a USB HDD , cloud storage or another locally networked PC.

closed

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/Paragon-Rescue-Kit-Express.shtml

it will probably have a factory restore advanced option accessed by pressing F8 at boot, after you have recovered your data from boot cd, or via a usb caddy

grumpycrab

greggp wrote: »

...I have tried booting from the vista operating disc which came with the laptop but no joy.

At what point did this fail? If it was because you didn't know how to make a BIOS edit (see post above) then boot from the CD and follow these instructions.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/command-prompt-in-windows-recovery-environment/

Select the command prompt option and run
chkdsk /F C:
as you need a valid file system before you can attempt any sort of recovery. If still no luck see the bootable medias already listed.

finrod

To get at your data, another route would be via Puppy Linux:

http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm

I keep this on a Cd as an insurance policy.