Laptop will not boot

[mick2me 3,033]

Using system disk the Recovery console command 'Fixboot' reports corrupt boot sector.

Then repair of boot sector states successfull, but computer will not boot.

Any suggesstions

[Fynger 841]

Sounds like a 're-install' is needed....xp does have a recovery option too tho.

[mick2me 3,033]

How do you use the recovery option.

I presser R, got the command prompt, typed help and there are a list of commands.

Only tried fixboot, which has worked with the same problem before.

When I type 'dir' just get the C prompt, no list of directories/files?

[Fynger 841]

With the xp disk in....boot it up and let it offer you the options....ive never had any luck with the 'repair' option so ive just done an install over the top....as long as you dont 're-format' it should leave your computer unchanged at the end so you dont lose your other files.....you may lose a few files that it put in windows so some programs do need re-installing afterwards....depends where youve installed them in the first place.

[firbeck 859]

Throw it down the stairs, then get your insurance company to cough up for a new, more advanced one.

I was running my computer once and we had a severe thunderstorm, a lightning strike away from me totally wrecked it, as far as the insurance company were concerned it was an act of God, they didn't want to know, had I dropped it down the stairs it would have been a different matter, I tried to negotiate but they didn't want to know, thanks evil friends.

So, any terminal computer problems, chuck it down the stairs and you will be OK.

[mick2me 3,033]

The Computer is not important, the contents are.

Will try install

[Frank 13]

how many partitions does it have Mick?

[mgread1200 141]

With the xp disk in....boot it up and let it offer you the options....ive never had any luck with the 'repair' option so ive just done an install over the top....as long as you dont 're-format' it should leave your computer unchanged at the end so you dont lose your other files.....you may lose a few files that it put in windows so some programs do need re-installing afterwards....depends where youve installed them in the first place.

i agree but try the repair option i have had sucess and all your files will be intact

[mick2me 3,033]

R option repair console finds invalid boot sector,

initiates sucessful boot sector re write,

Computer still will not boot?

Windows setup does not give option for install without format?

The display options for instal show exactly like this

c:- Partition 1 (Unknown) 51074 (51073 free)

d:- Partition 3(Backup) NTFS

e:- Partition 4(Recover) FAT32

:-Partition 2 (EISA Utilities)

[Frank 13]

You could install Windows on to the E drive

or... you could talk to Mick at SPE http://www.spelectronics.co.uk/contact.html

he recovered some data from a lost disk for me last year.

[zab 47]

A bit complicated but it might help,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/153973

[mick2me 3,033]

Thanks Zab, is this chinese?

Tried

FIXMBR rewrote MBR ok

Booted in safe mode but did not boot totally

File sequence show files then MUP.SYS.

But looks like not loading sptd.sys

then computer cycles to rebooting again

Normal reboot results in very brief blue screen which does not remain on screen long ernough to read

[letsavagoo 963]

Thanks Zab, is this chinese?

Tried

FIXMBR rewrote MBR ok

Booted in safe mode but did not boot totally

File sequence show files then MUP.SYS.

But looks like not loading sptd.sys

then computer cycles to rebooting again

Normal reboot results in very brief blue screen which does not remain on screen long ernough to read

[letsavagoo 963]

I think you need to decide how important the data on your laptop is. If it’s really really must have stuff then take it to a specialist and put your hand in your pocket. If not you need to bite the bullet and re install. If you really need the data on it the more and with respect, don't know what you are doing, the more likely you are to make it more difficult in the long run.

If you still want to go it alone look here.

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

Good luck

[Ayupmeducks 1,730]

To save data from a hard drive, one can always take the hard drive out, "daisy chain" it as a slave on a desk top computer and save the contents to that hard drive, it's not rocket science. Done this a couple of times, once from a hard drive that was in a flood a year or so back. We retrieved all the important data from the drive and the drive was totally inaccessible as the main drive in a computer.

[mick2me 3,033]

Thanks all

Solved the problem with

Hiren's BootCD 9.8: Download Hiren's BootCD 9.8

Highly recommended set of disk and system tools

[zab 47]

I'd forgotten all about Hiren, I remember using ne of his cd's years ago; I need to bookmark that one.

Glad it's working again.