Startup Repair - Windows cannot repair this computer automatically.

[tgsvensen]

Fooling around on my laptop ( Acer Aspire 5920 ) last night, set it down for a few minutes while I went to the kitchen and came back to it frozen.

Had to force it to reboot by holding the power button, and when it rebooted it took me to the 'Startup Repair' screen, and then tells me after a few minutes of looking busy that 'Windows Cannot Repair this computer automatically.' I've made 17 repair attempts so far. Apparently my last successful boot time was in 2008.. which is a lie, aha.

I would very much like to save a few files from the computer if it's going to need a complete format, there's a good couple of years worth of writing and artwork that I'd be heartbroken to lose.

Any help is greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

[tgsvensen]

I've also run Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool under someone's recommendation but it doesn't seem to have detected any problems.

I've purchased a recovery .iso from neosmart, but it refuses to boot from USB saying 'Disk Error, press any key to restart', and it ignores me trying to tell it to boot from CD. I don't have any recovery software that's been provided with my laptop, it's just disappeared into the ether if I ever had any.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Back up your stuff
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
Then you can reinstall, if you have a valid key.
http://www.askvg.com/direct-download-links-download-official-original-and-untouched-windows-vista-rtm-with-sp1-setup-files-32-bit-and-64-bit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AskVG+%28AskVG%29

 

[tgsvensen]

Thanks! I'll give this a go when I get home from work tonight and get back tto you.

 

[tgsvensen]

Well, burned an ubuntu iso, jammed it in the laptop, told it to boot from CD ( F12 - CD ), it went to a black screen with the little blinking _ for a few minutes, then returned to the microsoft boot screen.. :/

 

[richc46]

If you cant boot that CD, sounds like a hardware issue. Not much we can to to test if you cant boot. We can try to restore factory specs (if not a harware problem) but you will lose your stuff.

 

[tgsvensen]

That's utterly heartbreaking, but if it's the only way forward, then it's the only way forward.

Is a bootable CD the only way to boot with ubuntu?

 

[richc46]

Booting with Ubuntu, should not cause you to lose your stuff. Yes, you need to boot from a CD or maybe a USB drive (finger drive)
You do know you have to have the setting in bios set to boot from whatever you are booting from.

 

[tgsvensen]

I'll endeavor with a USB drive, bear with me a few minutes.

 

[richc46]

Take all the time you need.

 

[tgsvensen]

Booted from a USB, now sat on an ubuntu loading screen for about 5 minutes or so.. eek..

 

[tgsvensen]

Oops, I retract my previous statement. I'm in! I just have to figure out how to find my files.

 

[richc46]

Read my instructions, you will get your stuff.

 

[tgsvensen]

You sir are my savior. I suppose my next step is to reinstall. I assume that the key on the sticker on the back of my laptop is considered a valid key?

 

[richc46]

Yes, if we are thinking about the same sticker that is your key.

 

[tgsvensen]

The wee blue/green 'windows vista home premium' tag that says 'label not to be sold sepeartely' and has 'product key xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx, I assume.

 

[richc46]

Thats it,

 

[tgsvensen]

I'm assuming that my computer's going to refuse to run a bootable setup disk. Is there any way I can make a bootable USB to reinstall?

 

[richc46]

I have to give you credit, you really selected a Forum with all kinds of great tutorials on almost every subject. This is for Vista and Seven
USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create - Windows 7 Forums

 

[SIW2]

Poweriso is the easiest - the free (unregistered ) version will do.

just d/l from the link on this page:

PowerISO - Create, Burn, Mount, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive