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desperate help needed-i think i have broken vista!

random456
random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
ive done something really daft..im so used to xp that when vista fouled up after trying everything else i reformatted c drive and reinstalled-it was only after i got home and read the documentation i realise i should have done it from the recovery dvd instead, so to cut a long story short all the programs that came with the comp have gone and i need them back! the recovery partition is still there that wasnt reformatted, and it has data on it but it wont let me run it or anything, and i have the recovery dvd as well but that comes up as a big list of files. i cant boot from it even if i change the bios (the dvd works fine i tried it before)
what do i do?? its deleted word and everything, why cant i access the recovery partition, its still there 3/4 full please please help!
Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
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Comments

  • albertross_2
    albertross_2 Posts: 8,932 Forumite
    You are going from one crisis to another this week:D

    You will have to post more info for any help, type of pc, what happens when you try recovery, with or without the dvd.
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • random456
    random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    tell me abt it lol!
    well first off the recovery dvd still has all files intact. the recovery partition itself has also not been altered.
    there is no option to recover at all. its set to boot from dvd in bios, it boots up normally. pressing r does nothing at all, f8 doesnt gove me any option to recover, clicking on partition gives me a 'pc angel' screen saying 'do not alter this partition' (i havent, but thats as far as it gets)
    i can open the files on the partition but nothing happens, they are only tiny files anyway. its a gateway laptop running vista home basic, the option for gateways own recovery is no longer there.
    so...i have a working recovery dvd full of important drivers and programs and an unaltered 3/4 full d drive that i cant do anything with. ive been googling all night but they all say to press f8 or r at startup which does nothing! there is simply no option in any menu including boot/startup that is anything to do with recovery :(
    Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
  • banger9365
    banger9365 Posts: 1,702 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    this mite help http://support.gateway.com/s/software/MICROSOF/vista/7515418/7515418su531.shtml

    or this
    you will have to search for gatway pc's/laptops put they say us F11 for recovery
    http://support.thetechguys.com
    there or their,one day i might us the right one ,until then tuff

  • CHR15
    CHR15 Posts: 5,193 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I dont know what programs you are missing but I dont think I have ever known a new PC to come with anything worth keeping!!

    Open Office, AVG, Spybot etc etc, all free and more than likely better than the stuff you got bundled.

    Is it the progs you are deserate for or the drivers?? if its the drivers, just go to the support site and download more (which will probably be more up to date than the ones you have anyway)
  • random456
    random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    banger, thanks, but when i press f8 i get no recovery options, just safe mode and last known good config etc, the option has totally disappeared and im tearing my hair out!!!
    off to contact gateway live help :s
    Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
  • random456
    random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    what a horrid live chat! he even said bye when i was asking questioons!!!
    they are going to send me a new programs/drivers cd within 2 days but he never answered my questions:

    partition hasnt been changed why can i not run it or open it?

    recovery disc has everything on still why wont it boot from it?

    anyone???? i dont even know if the one they send me will boot?? if it does what do i do with the partition then? its still full! please help

    ..and the major problem THERE ARE NO RECOVERY OPTIONS ANYWHERE ON THE COMPUTER so how can i even run their disc, i need the recovery option back!!
    Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Your recover partition is probably a FAT 32 partition. i.e. only accessible using a boot disk.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • random456
    random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    espresso...so what should i do? totally confused!
    Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
  • Millionaire
    Millionaire Posts: 3,748 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pumpa wrote: »

    partition hasnt been changed why can i not run it or open it?

    When you reinstalled vista to the same partition it will tell you that there is a install on there and do you want to continue and that if you say yes it say that the previous install will be saved but you will not be able to run or open it.

    which is abit odd.

    try putting the dvd reinstallation disc in. then booting from the disc. then it will have options of partitions that are currently installed and maybe you can reinstall the previous one.
  • random456
    random456 Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    no i didnt have that. all i reformatted was the c drive only, the d drive (rec partition) was not altered in any way. the problem i have is that all the recovery options have disappeared from both windows and boot menu.
    Fr. Stack: While you were out, I got the keys to your car. And drove it into a big wall. And if you don't like it, tough. I've had my fun, and that's all that matters.
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