Computer won't start is uni work lost for good?

clarksonwayne

Hi My PC will not start up, its XP with sp2. It starts to load up before failing to a screen that basically says any thing could or caused this. And gives me a few options like safe mode and try to start up windows. All options lead to the computer failing, it seems to reset and end up at the same screen again. I have tried to change the boot up proces so it starts from cd, with my master cd in the drive, but this has made no difference. I'm afraid i failed to back up a uni report with i need.

If any one knows of any thing i can do to get my computer working again or just save the report i would be in your det.

Thanks, Wayne.

Ramz_3

you can take out the hard drive, and then get a mount for the hard drive for about 15 quid, and then plug the drive into a different computer and you should be able to access it from there

albertross_2

Don't panic, your data is probably ok, if you search the site for livecd, there are many threads on the subject

Giving more details about what is on screen may help diagnosis

Don't start reinstalling windows just yet, as it will probably overwrite your data

KILL_BILL

have you got the blue screen of death error ?

as has been mentioned write down the error code that you get as this will help assertain what the problem could be

everythingblogcast

As albertross said get a LiveCD maybe Ubuntu, boot into the desktop of Ubuntu and then get your files off to a USB device.

clarksonwayne

Thanks i will give it ago,

the blue screen flashes up for a second the computer restarts.

It just says sorry but windows did not start successfully, a recent software or hardware change may of caused this. (I have changed memory but after this it has worked fine, since the fault i have changed back and have tested all hardware conections.)

I have the options of:

Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Last known good configuration
Start windows normally

non have effect.

No error code.

Thaks, Wayne.

Simon_B_2

Ramz wrote: »

you can take out the hard drive, and then get a mount for the hard drive for about 15 quid, and then plug the drive into a different computer and you should be able to access it from there

My GF's computer had this problem and it had all her PHD work on we bought a mount and managed to get it all off. If you're not to sure about how to do it a techie computer shop should be able to help get the files off for you as well.

A_Nice_Englishman

As Simon_B says, if it's all your vital Uni work that is at stake you may it's worth getting a professional to do it, or a knowledgable friend or relative. It's easy to miss something important if you're not actually sat in front of the computer.

Note to all students: Keep a copy of your work on the Uni/college/school network as well as on on your own computer. The same goes for those who work at home. (I write as a school IT manager)

clarksonwayne

Thanks I will do that, it's just the one report i need, i had the rest backed up. Funny thing my laptop had a simmilar problem today but vista managed it better, my laptop is new and the only change i made since the last time i used it was an itunes update, an update that my desk top had before it died. I have removed itunes off my laptop and now it is working fine. There may be something to this.

Thanks for all you help, Wayne.

frivolous_fay

I had a laptop which did this recently, although it did give an error code for memory.

We got around it by booting using the Windows disc to help it start... then once we were in, made some space.

This won't help you if it's not a memory problem, but you may be able to boot at least, perhaps save your work.