Vista crashed, cannot repair

[cooncatz]

Hello, my son's pc crashed and will only boot to the black screen with green loading bar, then quits. Monitor keeps going to sleep.

I tried everything: system repair (which says it can't do - corrupt registry). Restore (can't - no restore point was set.) Go back to last known good config - won't work it crashes.

I ran a memory test and all was good.

So, I saw on this site where it was advised to do an upgrade/repair, but I can't because the option is grayed out and disabled. I tried starting with the disc in, and also by starting and then putting the disk in. If I wait until the machine starts and put the disk in, it will not work. It crashes. If I put the disk in and then start the machine is when I get to the install screen and eventually the 'update is disabled' screen.

I'm really trying to avoid a new install. I wonder if there is a way to get around the disabled thing in my case?

Any help, MUCH appreciated!

TIA
Janet

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello cooncatz,

Welcome to the Forums!

As you have access to another computer, you may want to
take a look at this Tutorial at the link below.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html?ltr=C

I hope you can find what you are looking for.
Keep us informed.


Later Ted

 

[cooncatz]

Hi, just so you know, I am not very computer savvy when it comes to this stuff.

I am assuming by creating this disc it will do what mine couldn't in terms of being disabled?

As for creating a disc, I am a bit lost on that... I would try but, I see the d/l is from Torrent and we are pretty sure that was what started my son's problems in the first place as it was the last thing he did! So, I am leery of having anything to do with that site.

Any other way to make this disc?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello cooncatz,

Did you look at any of the other links?

RELATED LINKS:
1. How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

2. How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista

3. How to Do a System Restore in Vista

This may be your only option.
Maybe someone can help you with this on your end.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html?ltr=C

Keep looking.

Later Ted

 

[cooncatz]

One thing I wonder about, when he was still up and running, I noticed his recovery file (not sure what this is as I have XP) was 7.68 GB with 897 free.

Could this have something to do with this crash?

 

[cooncatz]

Yes, I tried all of those things already, several times, that is why I came on here and saw I should do the upgrade.

(He has no back up disc either.)

 

[cooncatz]

Actually, your #1 request is what I am asking about! It will not let me upgrade as it is disabled.

I have been trying to resolve this for over a day now. I have tried everything I could.

I cannot get into safe mode either, FYI.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello cooncatz,

NeoSmart is really safe and easy.

You would want the x86 version.
I created a disc from there myself with this very Tutorial!


Later Ted

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

...

Hello cooncatz,

NeoSmart is really safe and easy.

Maybe someone can help you with this on your end.


Later Ted

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello cooncatz,

One thing I wonder about, when he was still up and running, I noticed his recovery file (not sure what this is as I have XP) was 7.68 GB with 897 free.

Could this have something to do with this crash?

I was just looking at this again. No not the crash, maybe the recovery!
If this is a "Recovery Partition" you can restore the computer to its Factory Settings
with it. Is it an HP machine?

Let me know.


Later Ted

 

[cooncatz]

Yes HP machine. But I didn't want to lose the stuff he has on it.

ANYHOW - I did the burn, and to me - it was scary, not easy. Directions were iffy. Anyhow, upon trying disc in son's machine, I got this error:

Windows cannot open the required file:
E:\Sources\Install.wim.

Does not exist..... 0x80070002

So much for that?

 

[cooncatz]

...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again cooncatz,

Yes HP machine. But I didn't want to lose the stuff he has on it.

You may not have to "lose stuff".

On my HP machine the "Recovery Center" gives me the option of backup before it continues.
Do this just to see, but be ready to send to backup anything you don't want to lose.

Press the power button from a cold start, as soon as you do that start tapping the F11 key.
That should take you to the HP Recovery Center. When there just follow the prompts.
It is pretty much self explanatory. From the time you boot into F11 (not counting
any backups you choose to make) you should be back on a working desktop in about
30 minutes. After it restarts just follow the prompts again to finish the process.

I hope this helps; and keep him off the torrent sites.


Later Ted

 

[cooncatz]

These are the tests I have already run. That's why I wanted to do the update, as it seemed the only option left.

This is what I get from that screen (or any other way I access it):

Computer checkup: Everything is okay EXCEPT it failed the short self test for the hard drive.

Computer repair: It runs and says it can't repair 'automatically.' When I look at the report is says 'registry is corrupt.'

MS Startup repair: Can't do - no restore point.

File Backup & Sytem Recovery - only options I can do, but I have no discs at the moment to save anything. Will have to get those later.

I was hoping to do a repair via the update. Why didn't the recovery disc work?

 

[cooncatz]

GOOD GRIEF!

Is what I am reading about online true? I need a new hard drive?!?

Have to say, never been in that boat before.

What in blazes will that cost - like, if I take it into Best Buy?

I have no idea how to attempt this myself.

 

[cooncatz]

Okay, called Best Buy, I am completely in despair.

Appx 300 bucks? You have GOT to be kidding! What a fine racket. Machine is 13 months old, will end up buying Windows? Even though I HAVE it?

Can't do it. This computer will be a BIG knickknack.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

...

Hello again cooncatz,

If you have attempted all the previously listed options to no avail;
then this may be your final alternative!

If you haven't given this a try, you have nothing to lose!
(If I were you I would not give up till I gave this a try!)

Press the power button from a cold start, as soon as you do that start tapping the F11 key.
That should take you to the HP Recovery Center. When there just follow the prompts.
It is pretty much self explanatory. From the time you boot into F11 (not counting
any backups you choose to make) you should be back on a working desktop in about
30 minutes. After it restarts just follow the prompts again to finish the process.

Later Ted

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hey cooncatz,

I thought you said you didn't have a copy of Vista?

Do you have a OEM or Retail copy.

Machine is 13 months old, will end up buying Windows? Even though I HAVE it?

Later Ted

 

[KingOfChaos]

Actually, if he has an HP machine, then most likely he doesn't have a copy of Windows since the systems come with an OEM version already installed.

Did you contact HP? You may have a warranty on the system still active. Also, if he caught a virus from a P2P program, then most likely it caused bad sectors on the hard drive that his computer then tried to store registry information on.

 

[Bubba]

Hey wildman, you say that when you put the Windows disc in that update is disabled. Does that mean it gives you an option for a new install or something along those lines? If so click that option. The screen after that I believe is pick a language, pick one and continue. the NEXT screen should give two options: new instasll and REPAIR. (if there is a screen before this one, click the appropriate button and then contiunue to the install/repair screen). Click on repair.

The options there are repair, system restore, restore from a mirror image, and something else, (I forget lol) and exit I think. Click on system restore. I don't know how, computer magic or something, but it will bring up the restore points that you are currently unable to access. At least it did for me. Click on the furthest back to where you think the problem started and hit the appropriate buttons for it to continue.

Note: Start all this with the disk on the drive and from a restart so it boots from the disc.