Save me monies!!

[icewolf9]

Okay, my laptop seems to be dead. I may have to go PC World but I'm pretty sure they'll charge a bomb.

My laptop (all I know is it's an Advent and I bought it around February 2007) I made this thread on the spur of the moment, hence why I have no stats for it..... It's on Windows XP!

Basically, I tried to turn it on, and came to that screen where it gives you an option to "Start Windows Normally" or "Start From Previous Settings." Whichever one I click, it tries to start up, then dies. Then restarts. So it's on a continuous cycle of trying to start up, dying, restarting etc etc. Never done this before and started doing this on Sunday when I tried to turn it on. I've turned it off, left it off for a day, doesn't matter if it's plugged in or on battery - it can turn on, just can't start up. Even tried to start it up in "Safe Mode" and it died as it tried to do that....

Don't wanna pay to go to PC World, but methinks I have no alternative...! :( Any help or advise would be appreciated big time!!

[icewolf9]

Please help... *puppy-dog-eyes*

[sHq]

Looks like a reboot job to me.

[Bradleigh67]

Looks like a reboot job to me.


If so, you can do this ur self,

[icewolf9]

If so, you can do this ur self,

Ok.... Will I lose all my info...? Uni stuff, music, photos, stuff like that? (I know I'm a numpty by not cbacking it up...)

[sHq]

Yes, pretty much.

Unless you could get someone to ghost the harddrive, then retrieve all your data? :dontknow:

[icewolf9]

Yes, pretty much.

Unless you could get someone to ghost the harddrive, then retrieve all your data? :dontknow:

:(

I don't know what that means, but I will ask a mate of mine!

[chris89]

does it not give you the option of starting windows in "safe" mode?

if not get your cd key a copy of windows then re-install windows in a new folder which means you will keep your data

[icewolf9]

does it not give you the option of starting windows in "safe" mode?

if not get your cd key a copy of windows then re-install windows in a new folder which means you will keep your data

Yes it does, as I said even when I try and start it up, it just dies halfway through, restarts, dies etc etc etc. :(

Ok... but I cant start up my computer to put any of my data on a cd, though...

[sHq]

I'm glad with vista if i do a system reboot, it gives me the option of picking folders to back up cds/dvds/usb device.

Good luck with getting it sorted though, that's the second time today I've heard someone have that problem.

[chris89]

Yes it does, as I said even when I try and start it up, it just dies halfway through, restarts, dies etc etc etc. :(

Ok... but I cant start up my computer to put any of my data on a cd, though...


hmm weird

you dont need to do that. if you get a windows disc so you can re-install the os thats all you need... and a cd key aswell. if you install it into another folder it will let you start windows then all you need to do is start it and delete the old folder and you will still have all your files etc

[icewolf9]

hmm weird

you dont need to do that. if you get a windows disc so you can re-install the os thats all you need... and a cd key aswell. if you install it into another folder it will let you start windows then all you need to do is start it and delete the old folder and you will still have all your files etc

Ok.... I'm sorry I really know fook all about computers and technology... Where can I get a cd key from and how much?

Thing is I can't install anything if it can't start up to begin with, though...??

[chris89]

Ok.... I'm sorry I really know fook all about computers and technology... Where can I get a cd key from and how much?

Thing is I can't install anything if it can't start up to begin with, though...??

you got msn? its easier to explain on there? pm me with your addy and ill explain it when i get in from work in bout 15 mins or so

[icewolf9]

you got msn? its easier to explain on there? pm me with your addy and ill explain it when i get in from work in bout 15 mins or so

I do, but I'm at work. So no computer at home = no msn or music or anything. My only chance for online advice is here!! Sorry. :(

[wilshure]

should have a sticker on the bottom with your windows XP CD key

to keep your data, you can remove the hard drive, and either put it into some1 else's laptop or buy an ICY box (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Drive+Bays/External+%28For+SATA+Drive%29/Icy+box+IB-290-STUSD-B+2.5%22+SATA+HDD+Alumimium+USB2.0+Enclosure?produ ctId=30847), then you can access it like a 2nd hard drive and just copy the files you wanna save

provided your hard drive hasn't ceased up

[smiffy1989]

Did you get any recovery discs with the laptop? There usually your best bet. If not you will have to enter the BIOS (usually press DEL during boot up) and set boot priority to CD-Rom drive. Save and exit the BIOS and let it boot the windows disc up. Try the repair option, that way you will save your files. If that doesnt work you will have to format and do a fresh install (all data will be wiped).

You should have a CD-KEy on the bottom of the laptop, if not just install an OEM/Corporate OS.

If you need anymore info just ask in here or PM me :)

[icewolf9]

Did you get any recovery discs with the laptop? There usually your best bet. If not you will have to enter the BIOS (usually press DEL during boot up) and set boot priority to CD-Rom drive. Save and exit the BIOS and let it boot the windows disc up. Try the repair option, that way you will save your files. If that doesnt work you will have to format and do a fresh install (all data will be wiped).

You should have a CD-KEy on the bottom of the laptop, if not just install an OEM/Corporate OS.

If you need anymore info just ask in here or PM me :)


Thankies :thumbs: I'll try that as best I can. When it starts up it goes straight to the "Safe Mode" or "Start Windows Normally" etc... no matter which one I select, it dies after about 2 seconds. So I don't have much time to do any other kinds of um, "setups." But I'll try what I can. If not, expect a PM tomorrow when I get into work!

[icewolf9]

should have a sticker on the bottom with your windows XP CD key

to keep your data, you can remove the hard drive, and either put it into some1 else's laptop or buy an ICY box (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Drive+Bays/External+%28For+SATA+Drive%29/Icy+box+IB-290-STUSD-B+2.5%22+SATA+HDD+Alumimium+USB2.0+Enclosure?produ ctId=30847), then you can access it like a 2nd hard drive and just copy the files you wanna save

provided your hard drive hasn't ceased up

:thumbs:

[chris89]

quicketst way is to find your cd key and re-install windows to another location on the hard drive so you keep your files

[icewolf9]

quicketst way is to find your cd key and re-install windows to another location on the hard drive so you keep your files

Ok, so the cd key is a sticker on the bottom of my laptop, and i need to find a windows cd...? I don't think it came with one, not sure... Dad has prolly since thrown the stuff away and I'm living with my mum atm..

[chris89]

Ok, so the cd key is a sticker on the bottom of my laptop, and i need to find a windows cd...? I don't think it came with one, not sure... Dad has prolly since thrown the stuff away and I'm living with my mum atm..

yeah you should have a stickeror something that has your cd key on it. aye all you need is a windows disc. when you put it in and go into the bios like it says above it will say to boot from cd press any button. when you boot from the cd it should give you the option to repair your installation and if that doesnt work then you need to install it to a different folder.

it will give you the option to replace your existing installation but you will loose your files if you do that

[icewolf9]

yeah you should have a stickeror something that has your cd key on it. aye all you need is a windows disc. when you put it in and go into the bios like it says above it will say to boot from cd press any button. when you boot from the cd it should give you the option to repair your installation and if that doesnt work then you need to install it to a different folder.

it will give you the option to replace your existing installation but you will loose your files if you do that

Ok, if i cant find my windows cd, where can i get one from...?? Sorry to bug you! >.<

[chris89]

Ok, if i cant find my windows cd, where can i get one from...?? Sorry to bug you! >.<

hah its not a problem... ehh if you cant find yours borrow 1 from someone cause aslong as you have your own cd key it will be cool. to buy 1 your talking about £90...

[icewolf9]

Alrighty - I have a windows cd sorted....

SO...

I turn it on, put cd in... go onto the BIOS screen by pressing Del when it's loading up....

Tell it to boot from cd and repair... or reinstall in a new folder.

No replacing as I will lose my info..

Right, methinks I've got it... :D

[chris89]

when u go to bios u change it to boot from cd

then save it and it will restart then boot from the cd

firstly try the repair option

[icewolf9]

Ok, will try. Thankies for your help. :D

[alansxi]

if only it was an acer. i rebooted mine about 2 weeks ago and was easy as fook as its got it built in

[Turley]

Might not even need rebooted, either piggyback the driveand retrieve info or run a chkdsk /f that normally works with PC with BSOD

[icewolf9]

OK, round a mates atm who knows about these things... recovered from the recovery partition. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D!!!!!!!!!!1

Thanks for everyone's help! Muchas gracias!

[chris89]

OK, round a mates atm who knows about these things... recovered from the recovery partition. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D!!!!!!!!!!1

Thanks for everyone's help! Muchas gracias!

dinara... i think thats how you spell it anyway :err:

[icewolf9]

:thumbs: