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Laptop will not boot up - Windows 7 (Resolved)


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#1
FXRStuarty

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My laptop is failing to boot up.

It is running Windows 7.

The sequence of events is a screen saying Windows is loading files. Then shortly after another screen advising there are problems. I took pics of the screens and these are attached.

I have sent this from my phone.

Very grateful for any help offered.

Attached Thumbnails

  • 20140715_223338.jpg
  • 20140715_223308.jpg

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#2
phillpower2

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Hello FXRStuarty,

 

Looking at your OP purely from a tech perspective and in no way offering any malware guidance here, the I/O error code suggests that there may be an issue with the HDD, the OS on the HDD or a combination of both.

 

A few questions if I may;

What are the full brand and model name or number of the notebook.

How much free storage space is/was available on the HDD.

Has the HDD been making any unusual noises or been slow to access previous to the issue first happening.

Had any hardware or software changes been made just before the issue first happened.

Has the notebook been dropped or banged at all.

 

If you can answer the above an appropriate person will determine whether or not the issue is malware or tech related.


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#3
FXRStuarty

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Thank you for your reply.

 

What are the full brand and model name or number of the notebook. - Lenovo G570

How much free storage space is/was available on the HDD. - Not known

Has the HDD been making any unusual noises or been slow to access previous to the issue first happening. - There was a fan-like noise. It has been making this noise for a long time and I was previously advised by a non expert that it was a noisy fan!

Had any hardware or software changes been made just before the issue first happened. - No changes had been made

Has the notebook been dropped or banged at all. - Not to my knowledge

 

I took the laptop along to a local PC repair shop and they advised that it was a HD problem and wasnt likely to be fixable. They did offer to replace the HD but the laptop is old and not worth fixing. The real problem for me is getting the data off the HD and make is transferable to another laptop.

 

I was told this may be possible by a specialist Data Recovery company. The cost of such may be prohibitive.

 

I guess I need to buy a new laptop.

 

The question now is can I recover the data from this HD?

 

Thanks again for your response.

 

Feel free to move this thread to a more appropriate area.


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#4
phillpower2

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You are welcome FXRStuarty  :)

 

I have asked for your topic to be checked to see if it should now be moved to the tech forums.

 

To see if you are able to recover your data please see the Puppy Linux tutorial below;

 

=================== 

***Required Hardware*** 

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive, 

Blank CD, 

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)

=================== 

 

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

  • Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso) 

     

    Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software 

     

    There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/ 

     

     

     

  • Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer 

     

     

  • Extract All files to a location you can remember 

     

     

  • Double Click 1%20BurnCDCC%20Icon.PNGBurnCDCC 

     

     

  • Click Browse 2%20BurnCDCC%20Browse%20Button.PNG and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded 

     

     

  • Open/Double Click that file 

     

    IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x 

     

  • Click Start 3%20BurnCDCC%20Start%20Button.PNG 

     

     

  • Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically 

     

     

  • Insert a blank CD and close the tray 

     

     

  • Click OK 

     

     

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created

 

 

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second 

 

  •  

     

     

  • Start the computer/press the power button 

     

     

  • Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup" 

     

    (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen) 

     

  • Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to: 

     

    CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd 

     

  • Open your ROM drive and insert the disk 

     

     

  • Press F10 to save and exit 

     

     

  • Agree with "Y" to continue 

     

     

  • Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD 

     

     

    4%20BIOSBootPriorityImage.png 

     

 

 

 

 

3.  Recover Your Data 

 

  • Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM).  You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer".  Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning.  Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy.  To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once.  Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to.  This is normal.  Ready?  Let's get started. 

     

     

    3a. Mount Drives 

     

  • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop. 5%20Puppy%20Linux%20Mount%20Icon.PNG 

     

     

  • A Window will open.  By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted.  Click on Mount for your hard drive. 

     

     

  • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount. 

     

     

  • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted. 

     

     

  • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab.  Mount it now. 

     

     

 

 

3b. Transfer Files.

  •  

     

     

  • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon. 

     

     

  • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1 

     

     

  • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1 

     

     

  • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows) 

     

     

  • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window. 

     

     

 

 

For The Novice:  The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos

 

Remember to only click once!  No double clicking!  Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy.  Choose COPY each time you drag and drop. 

 

YOU ARE DONE!!!  Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer.  Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations! 

 

 

 

PuppyLinux528screenshot.png 

 

 

If you're doing this to recover from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.


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#5
FXRStuarty

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Thanks again for your prompt response.

 

I have carried out the instructions in your email and I think all went well.

 

I have attached a pic of my "sick" laptop screen. I assume sdb1 (larger image) is my external HD and sda1 (smaller image) which shows Boot Folder, System Volume Information Folder and bootmgr is my laptop HD?

 

I dont seem to have much in the sda1 window, is this normal or is it a problem?

 

Grateful for your continuing support.

 

LinuxPuppy Screen Print.jpg


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#6
phillpower2

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sda1 is indeed the internal HDD but to confirm that sdb1 is not a partition on the same drive please disconnect the external Seagate HDD and take another screenshot for us please.

 

You are welcome btw  :)


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#7
godawgs

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Hello FXRStuarty,

 

Phill as asked me to move this topic to to the Hardware forum since your issue does appear to be hardware related.

Phil is one of our best Techs, so you are in good hands.

Good luck.


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#8
FXRStuarty

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Hello FXRStuarty,

 

Phill as asked me to move this topic to to the Hardware forum since your issue does appear to be hardware related.

Phil is one of our best Techs, so you are in good hands.

Good luck.

 

Thanks.

 

pp2,

 

I have attached an image with the Seagate disconnected from the sickie.

 

LinuxPuppy Screen Print - Ex HD Removed.jpg


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#9
phillpower2

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Thanks FX  :thumbsup:

 

Can I ask whether or not sda1 will mount, if yes post a screenshot of that please, if no can you restart the notebook and access the BIOS to see if the HDD is identified there, this will typically be ST for Seagate drives and WD for Western Digital devices etc.


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#10
FXRStuarty

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The Seagate External HD is not connected.

 

The pic shows sda1 mounted.

 

LinuxPuppy Screen Print sda1 Mounted.jpg


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#11
phillpower2

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Is/was your HDD partitioned, unmount sda1 and mount sda2 and see if your data is there please.


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#12
FXRStuarty

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Have no idea if HD is/was partitioned. Its how it came out of the Lenovo factory. Sorry.

 

I am expecting to see a folder called Documents (or similar) and dont see anything.

 

LinuxPuppy Screen Print - sda2 mounted.jpg

 

I looked in Users/sw/Documents and that seems to be where my data is.

 

LinuxPuppy Screen Print - sda2 mounted Folders.jpg

 

At this time I do not have my Seagate attached. Can I just plug it in or should I close down, plug it in then restart? I think the next step would be to click and drag to the Seagate, is that correct?

 

Think we may be on to something (I hope) :yes:


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#13
phillpower2

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Good work  FXRStuarty  :thumbsup: 

 

Make a written note of where your important data is, plug in the USB HDD as you normally would and then follow the steps from Puppy;

 

  • 3a. Mount Drives 

     

  • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop. 5%20Puppy%20Linux%20Mount%20Icon.PNG 

     

     

  • A Window will open.  By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted.  Click on Mount for your hard drive. 

     

     

  • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount. 

     

     

  • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted. 

     

     

  • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab.  Mount it now. 

     

     

 

 

3b. Transfer Files.

  •  

     

     

  • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon. 

     

     

  • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1 

     

     

  • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1 

     

     

  • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows) 

     

     

  • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window. 

     

     

It is getting late here in the UK and I have an early start tomorrow so will not be online for much longer I'm afraid, you seem to have this in hand now so good luck and I will check back after work tomorrow.


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#14
FXRStuarty

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After all the guidance from you and your expert instructions I now have my data moved from my old sick laptop and it is now copied to my Seagate HD.

 

Thank you so much for your time and effort in helping me. I am extremely grateful.

 

Its 01:48 in this part of the UK and its time for bed.

 

Its probably safe to close this thread and mark it up as another success.

 

Thanks again


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#15
phillpower2

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Congratulations and a job well done on your behalf FXRStuarty  :thumbsup:

 

Would you like to try testing the HDD + as you have secured your data you could try a factory restore of the HDD/OS etc, let us know if you wish to do either one or both.

 

Thank you for your kind words btw  :)


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