Help Please? Windows Boot Manager?

[Tinkerbelle]

Hey everyone.

If anyone could help that would be amazing. Now I know it's stupid but this morning I spilt milk on my laptop keyboard. I cleaned the keyboard, taking the keys off but now the keyboard doesn't work.
Also, when I turn my laptop on a message comes up that looks like this:

Windows Boot Manager

Choose an operating system to start, or press tab to select a took:

Microsoft Windows Vista

To specify an advanced option for this choice press F8


Tools:
Windows Memory Diagnostic



Now, I haven't got a clue what any of this is :S I REALLY don't want to wipe me laptop as everything is on there
Please help if you can? It would be amazing thank you

 

[richc46]

Welcome
First dont worry we can save your stuff by using Ubuntu, but we are far from there
Use a hair dryer to dry out the keyboard
Then wait 24 -48 hours hours

While waiting try another keyboard and see what happens

We can possibly use boot manger tutorial to get you started if necessary.
But first try another keyboard or wait 24-48 hours to use the old one for a test.

I would not try anything else, until you know you are using a good keyboard. We dont want things worse
Go slow take your time and it will work out.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

ahh thank you
well i haven't got a wired keyboard, i've only got wireless I'm thinking of getting a new laptop anyway but like I said I really don't want to loose everything.
What exactly is Windows Boot Manager?

 

[richc46]

Maybe we should worry about your stuff first
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

Boot manager is usually for more than one OS.

Hopefully, you have enough access to the computer to use Ubuntu.

Dont take a chance with your stuff.

 

[Lorien]

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Just trying to clarify. Did the spill occur on the separate wireless keyboard or did it occur on the keyboard on the laptop itself? I'm concerned if it was the laptop keyboard (or even the wireless one depending on the extent of the spill and where the keyboard was located) that some of the spill may have gone past the keyboard and into the laptop's internal componenents (like onto the RAM chips or into various connectors, or who knows where on the motherboard).

Milk is going to dry sticky and may already be the cause of some of the problems you're seeing and as it fully dries but isn't cleaned up, there may be additional problems (and those you've mentioned seem to me to be a bit more than just a keyboard problem). But I suppose for now, letting it dry out, then trying to get it fully working again is the best option - after saving your data. If that doesn't work and it's possible the spill entered the laptop's inner components, then a visit to a computer repair shop to open the laptop and try to clean the remnants of the spill may be warranted - but we aren't there yet.

What is the manufacturer, make and precise and complete model of your laptop?

Thanks and good luck!

 

[richc46]

After reading the above posts, give priorty to your stuff. That is the most important.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

I'll need to get a blank CD first. Will using the programme still work even if I cant get to the start menu?
As soon as I turn the laptop on, the first thing that comes up in the windows boot manager message and I cant seem to get past that at the moment as my keyboard isn't working

 

[richc46]

This is how to repair the computer. See if the recovery DVD helps, if you have problems with Ubuntu
Try the suggestions below after you try Ubuntu first, it is an OS and is all that should be needed.

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.






Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

heyyy guys.

Ok, so I asked my friend who is a technical wizz (he know's a hell of a lot of stuff about computers) about my problem. I explained everything and he said that Windows Boot Manager wouldn't wipe my computer, just boot it using vista and everything will be normal.

So I plugged in my wired keyboard which I found, selected Microsoft Windows Vista and everything seemed to be ok until this loud alarm sound started coming from my computer. Nothing happened so I just switched my laptop off and left it.
I hope it doesn't mean everything is destroyed :/

There are advanced options when the boot manager message pops up so maybe if I used those it might help?

Thank you

 

[Lorien]

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Was the sound one continuous shriek or a series of loud beeps? If beeps, can you please identify for us the pattern (e.g., two long and one short - or one short, one long, and one short - or whatever). Did it continue non-stop until you shut off the computer or did it end on its own but you shut the computer down anyway?

Now that you have a working keyboard, please go back and try the options suggested by Richard - starting with Ubuntu to save your data and moving to the recovery disk to see if any of the options, especially Startup Repair, can repair the problem. But run the other suggestions as well, including SFC, to see if they help.

Before resorting to re-installing the system however, let's see if we can repair the Boot Files - which is something not covered by the Recovery Disk or previous suggestions.

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps: (you need a genuine Vista Installation Disk to do this - one you own or one you can borrow. If you can't get one, skip to near the end where another program is recommended (you download and create a boot disk) that may resolve your boot problems).

1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.

Note If rebuilding the BCD does not resolve the startup issue, you can export and delete the BCD, and then run this option again. By doing this, you make sure that the BCD is completely rebuilt. To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt:
 bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
 c:
 cd boot
 attrib bcd -s -h -r
 ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
 bootrec /RebuildBcd

If you don't have the disk, try EasyBCD http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 and see if that helps resolve the problem.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

 

[Tinkerbelle]

Hey Lorien

It's a series of really loud beeps, exactly like an alarm. They are exactly the same length and space apart so there's no difference.

Would I still be able to try the ANY of these suggestions even though I can't get to my start up page at all?
The alarm noise doesn't start up until AFTER I select 'Microsoft Windows Vista' to boot the laptop.
Then I get 2 options to choose from. These options being Start windows normally or Launch Windows Repair.
No matter which option I choose, after a few seconds the alarm sound kicks in and I have to power off the laptop.

My friend suggested that it may be the motherboard that has failed. I'm planning to get a new laptop so my main priority is saving everything to switch to the new laptop if I can

Sorry for all the confusion .. I'm hopeless with laptops and know nothing about the technical side!

 

[Lorien]

Hi Tinkerbelle,

These options all boot to disks and then use the disks to gain access to the drive (if they can). So you won't even be booting into Windows and won't see a Start Menu or anything else that comes from a normal boot or a safe mode boot. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

As your priority is saving the data, start with the option Richard suggested on using Ubuntu. Hopefully that will resolve saving your data and we can proceed with trying to fix the computer once your data is secure. You will need access to a working computer with internet access and a CD-burner (and some blank CDs) to download and create the CDs you will need on the broken computer.

Good luck!

 

[frankie7]

the alarm is sounding because the laptop keyboard is faulty. if you unplug the built in keyboard all should be o.k. you can use a wired plug in keyboard till you buy a new keyboard for your laptop. check out my website if you need more help my contact email is there http://www.speedycomputer.co.uk