Cannot boot or anything: $1300 brick?

Three week old laptop [with two week return policy!]
Second time vista64 has totally crashed and would not boot- No safemode, last known configuration, nothing. It shows splash screen, the MS progress bar, then reboots and cycles.

I did all the things I know--hold down shift key, remove any ext devices, safemode, etc etc etc.

First time I had to use the recovery disk, total wipe out, recover, and 18 hours later of installing my stuff, got it working. Lasted one week.

Now I am trying to recover with an Acronis backup [bought that after the first disaster] and it's running right now on that laptop, estimate another hour.

Sorry for the blather, but here is my real question:

Q: since the recovery disk is the scorched earth type, total wipe and install new, does it make sense to bite the bullet and buy the MS Vista [$130 - 240] so the next time I can use "repair windows" option? I hate to spend the money, but I cannot go through another 18 hours of installing everything.

Acronis might work, holding breath, but it seems you cannot buy a laptop today with anything except that wipe out recovery disk.

Gladly accepting opinions!
thanks

No need to buy a copy of Vista just to have the repair options, just go here,

Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download — The NeoSmart Files

and download the appropriate version (32 or 64 bit). It won't allow you to install or anything like that, but it will allow you to access all the repair/recovery options from a regular disk.

As far as the boot problems, I would really try and get the seller to either take it back or have it repaired. There is no reason why you should have to pt up with the problems on something that new. Failing that get in touch with the manufacturer and see what they have to say.

many thanks stormy13.

I downloaded that file from the link and will use it when...

my laptop returns from intensive case.

Asus tech support was very helpful on the phone [a first!] and after I explained all the steps I had taken, he agreed it's a hardware problem.

He sent an RMA number and promised to replace the hard drive or whatever is causing this, and then reinstall.


This is one GIANT reason why I always try to keep the primary C drive clean of everything but the OS. Everything else is on the D or ext drive.

Some programs still insist on installing to C\program files, but I try for D

Even though I will lose some stuff by a re-do of C, it's not too bad because of the relatively few things there.

I will most certainly use that file you noted because i have the scorched earth wipeout recovery disk. This is my biggest gripe with companies that fail to provide a repair method.

In my XP Pro days, I moved the partitions so C was really small, just the OS, and the rest was data. That saved me more than once.

thanks again