Major System Crisis

[niemiro]

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply. Something happened, but back now! Don't worry about being on and off line, just post when you are ready!

If you feel confident, you could remove the hard disk, put it in another computer, and backup your files. However, there is another, easier and safer method

The easiest method is to download and run a Linux Live CD. There is a good tutorial using Ubuntu here: Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

The interface is similar to Windows, but not exactly the same. Use the method of backing up the files to USB rather than Windows Network, as this is SO much simpler.

If you cannot cope with Linux, there is another way that uses a more Windows like interface, though setting it up requires a Windows CD, several downloads, some special commands, and some hacking. It is not quite as easy, but I can give you a guide if you struggle at all with Linux.

Alternatively, without such big downloads, if you can tell me exactly where all the files you want to backup are, we can do it through DOS, though I would not recommend this.

Good luck, and I will help you with the Clean Install once we are sure all of your files have been backed up!

Richard

 

[maxwells]

Richard, when I put in Notepad > File > Open > C:\sfcdetails.txt it brings up Notepad as it would to use the program. I can't find any reference to logs. There are files in there if I click File Open.

 

[maxwells]

Thanks Richard, I'll go with the Linux option & let you know how I get on

 

[niemiro]

Richard, when I put in Notepad > File > Open > C:\sfcdetails.txt it brings up Notepad as it would to use the program. I can't find any reference to logs. There are files in there if I click File Open.

I don't know whether you still want this, but I will tell you so that a Google Searcher reading this thread with a similar problem will have the answer.

Click File > Open.

On the left hand pane, click on Computer.

Double click on the C:\ drive.

Scroll down and double click on the sfcdetails.txt.

There will be no mention of logs any more, because the logs have been parsed into this text file. This means that only the bits we want show up, but technically, it is no longer a log file, and will no longer have the extension .log. There will now be no mention of logs anywhere, but it is still what we want.

Richard

 

[niemiro]

Thanks Richard, I'll go with the Linux option & let you know how I get on

Good luck!

 

[maxwells]

Hi Richard, just looked through & found minidump files in through Notepad. It refers to \systemroot\system32\drivers\ - it then proceeds to go through a number of different files. I'll send through the list of files if needed. The BSoD always referred to drivers & chkdsk, but I haven't been able to get it to come up today.

 

[maxwells]

Just found the sfcdetails.txt file & it's empty

 

[niemiro]

Hi Richard, just looked through & found minidump files in through Notepad. It refers to \systemroot\system32\drivers\ - it then proceeds to go through a number of different files. I'll send through the list of files if needed. The BSoD always referred to drivers & chkdsk, but I haven't been able to get it to come up today.

If you could upload the Minidumps once you are in Linux or other, then maybe (maybe) we could fix it, though a Clean Install would always be favourable, they might still tell us what has caused the problem, which would be good.

 

[richc46]

Hi

Just a note, with the minidump, we can get you up and running. There will be a lot of information on that dump report.

 

[maxwells]

Hi Richard,
I've got Ubuntu downloaded, can see all my files etc but am having trouble downloading them on to a disk. Is it best to try with a USB stick or should a CD be ok?
Cheers Vickii

 

[niemiro]

Hi Richard,
I've got Ubuntu downloaded, can see all my files etc but am having trouble downloading them on to a disk. Is it best to try with a USB stick or should a CD be ok?
Cheers Vickii

It is possible with a CD, but a USB stick would be much, much easier, if possible.

Richard

 

[maxwells]

Thanks Richard, will do. Will come back to you once I've got my files on the stick & have viewed them on PC.

 

[maxwells]

You guys have been fantastic...I would have given up hope of ever seeing my photos ever again if it hadn't of been for you both. I'll be heading to the shops first thing in the morning for a USB stick with the biggest memory I can find

 

[richc46]

We both wish you luck.

Rich, not the meerkat, deserves the credit.

 

[maxwells]

Hi Richards, well I've done it My photos are now all sitting in my pc...thanks to you guys! I await your instructions on getting Unbuntu off & Vista back on.
Cheers
Vickii

 

[richc46]

Do you have a Vista DVD to install from?

 

[maxwells]

No, neither my PC or laptop came with DVDs, Vista was already installed.

 

[niemiro]

Do you have a Vista DVD to install from?

Adding to this (please do answer both of our questions), what manufacturer makes your computer, ie, is it a Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Sony etc.

Thanks!

 

[maxwells]

The laptop is ASUS.

 

[niemiro]

The laptop is ASUS.

Hello,

This probably means that you have a Recovery Partition. Please turn your computer off, turn it on, and immediately start tapping the F9 key, just as you did for Safe Mode, just the F9 key.

If you get a choice, choose "2. The first partition is deleted (the others remain intact) and a new system partition C: will be created."

This will hopefully leave the Recovery Partition for next time. This will wipe everthing, so do make sure everything you want is backed up, and make sure you remove your Ubuntu DVD beforehand (although it should not make too much of a difference)

This will take a couple of hours (though usually much less)

Good luck!

Richard