Help - can't log in to computer

[dogster]

Ok. I just spent a half hour downloading an Avira free recovery disk.
I tried to boot via the CD (with the Avira virus checker), and it still took me to a log in page!

I even tried booting up with my trendmicro maximum security disc. no go.
I'm thinking when I told the computer to boot via CD instead of HD, it overrode me and logged in via the HD anyway. I can't really know if it actually "saved" my request to boot via CD or not.
Maybe a virus or some malware that blocks the computer from accessing the CD, or overrides my instruction?

So when I hit boot via CD, then save, and go back and check, it's still on HD, NOT CD. so it's like the computer overrides me when i tell it to boot via CD.

Wow, this is nasty, whatever it is.

If it won't let me boot via CD, then is the computer toast?
No recovery disk is going to work if the computer refuses to read the disk . . . .

 

[Yard Dog]

Make sure.. you are setting it correctly : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

 

[dogster]

Ok, looks like i was doing that wrong - i just hit "enter" on CD, instead of re-prioritizing it (moving it to the #1 spot). that's why it didn't "take".

thanks for pointing that out. i read it a little more carefully. and have it rearranged this time.

but when you boot from a CD, doesn't it later ask if you want to do that? i never got that screen.

and, alas, i'm back on the log on page!

i'm wondering if it'd be worth trying saving a anti-virus to a flash drive instead of a CD.

and if all the recovery disks are some form of linux (to fix windows), why don't people just use linux?

or, maybe i can download linux as a second OS?

 

[Yard Dog]

Bootable cd/dvd/ other . flash drive. means .. it boots that.. no password thing going on..

 

[dogster]

Maybe i didn't download it correctly?
I'm not overly familiar with apple computers; it's been a while since i've used them.
I'll try kaspersky on a flash drive.

 

[Yard Dog]

Use Burner .. not copy.. read instruction... again.. hopefully .. the apple will allow you to do this..

 

[dogster]

Tried kaspersky; it didn't work either.
getting tired. surprised i haven't broken my computer from turning it on/off a 1000 times today. that would be the ultimate irony - finally get into the computer only to find that it burned out. ha!

it's possible i'm not downloading/burning correctly, since i'm not that familiar with the computer i'm on. but it did say "burn" the file to the cd, so don't think it was copied.

at least the computer is set up correctly tho - to boot from a CD and not the HD. it's possible the CD is blank, or some other prob with it.

i'll try downloading again later from another computer.

 

[Yard Dog]

K.. keep us posted.. last resort would be a clean install.. lets try not to go there..

 

[dogster]

Still haven't gotten to another computer to try burning another recovery disk.

My ailing computer didn't seem to boot from the recovery disks I made. Still took me to log in. It's possible I didn't download and burn the recovery disks correctly.

How about if I

​

1. reload the disk that came with the computer?
I would lose the partition I made (with all my documents).
But then I could

​

2. re-insert the back up I made of the computer about a week before it stopped letting me log in.

Would that work?

 

[Yard Dog]

That is a good thought.. yep... good idea.

 

[dogster]

I'm on a page that says "Edit boot options" at top.

then it says "path: \windows\system32\\winload.exe

then notes that there's 2 partitions (i put one in a while back)
then says
"hard disk: fd xxxx" (numbers and letters that i guess identifies the hd"

then
says [/NOEXECUTE=OPTI]

is this last line, the noexecute above, an option where i can put in a DOS command?
to tell it to load from the CD drive, or bypass password log on, or to scan (without a log on), or something?

 

[Yard Dog]

You have me lost as to what you just did.. I thought you were gonna try the install. then use your back up to get all your files and stuff back.. Are you still on Boot options for it to boot from cd/dvd ?

 

[dogster]

ok, I'm back. (the laptop that wouldn't let me log on, read the CD drive, etc)

i had several option to help out my computer - re-install orig disk, recovery disk, computer image disk, but all were CDs and the computer would not read the CD drive.

so, i took out the hard drive, tested it, and yup - it failed.
(i'm kind of disappointed it wasn't malware, and kinda relieved).

I think my computer hard drive is 5400 rpm, 160 or maybe 320 GB, SATA.

now i'm looking to get a (basically similar, maybe slightly better HD) -
a new 2 1/2", 250GB or 320GB, 7200 rpm, maybe 16mb SATA replacement internal hard drive so i can use the computer again, at least as a backup until i get a new computer.
a computer friend suggested getting a used one, but without any warranty or way to measure them it seems better to get a new one for not much more $.

does this sound like a good idea?
anything else i should know? will this be compatible?
not too much heat generated? (it's hot where i am)

i'm looking on ebay, amazon, newegg.
probably worth $60 or so to replace the hard drive and get my 4 year old laptop working again.

 

[dogster]

So i was assuming i had some malware on my computer when it wouldn't let me log in. But i tested the hard drive and it failed, so i got a WD scorpio black, and put it in, and am now using the computer!
Unfortunately i wasn't able to transfer any of the info off of the old hard drive, so i still have to reload programs, etc.

I didn't realize the computer has two slots for a hard drive. May have been worth considering getting a second hard drive earlier, backing up the computer periodically on it, and then just dumping the hard drive when it goes bad, pop in the "backup" hard drive, and be on my way.
Is there a reason not to do this? $60 or so isn't a bad price to avoid a lot of hassle.
At this point, on my 4 yr old computer (slowish processor, etc) may not be worth it. But if having a second slot for a hard drive is a common practice, maybe i'll consider it when i get a new computer.

Thanks for your advice and help! Really appreciate it.

 

[Yard Dog]

Have you checked out getting a SSD ? no moving parts.. might be a thought .