[gmcube]

Right, but without a safemode I'm not sure how to go about getting to it let alone upload it without access to an Internet browser.

[Advertisements]

Sorry crossed wires, with you saying a log was available I incorrectly thought the computer was running.

Use your DVD to do a repair install (no data is lost this way) http://www.sevenforu...ir-install.html

[phillpower2]

Sorry crossed wires, with you saying a log was available I incorrectly thought the computer was running.

Use your DVD to do a repair install (no data is lost this way) http://www.sevenforu...ir-install.html

[gmcube]

Is "startup repair" the same thing? Because I've tried that and it just yields a message saying "startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically" with the option to send the ms the info about the problem. The steps don't line up exactly since they run it while in the normal boot up mode.

Edit: actually I see why it's different now,that example uses the 08 edition.In the 09 version on the initial screen below "install now" and below "what to know before installing Windows" it has a " Repair your computer". On the example it's not there. So am I safe to hit install now in the 09 version? I'm wondering if they moved the option to the initial screen. Not sure if I'll be given a chance to back out if I click.

Edit: I just read that you can only do a repair instal from the desktop. It wont work from safe mode or boot to cd. Is this true?
http://superuser.com...le-to-start-boo

Edit: I just tried the suggestion shown here on replacing the registry files with ones from a week back. No dice, but thought I'd mention it in case it affects something else and we need to revert back.
http://answers.micro...e4b75f07?page=2

Edited by gmcube, 31 March 2013 - 08:35 PM.

[phillpower2]

When you tried the Start up Repair did you have the W7 DVD in the drive and is the DVD drive set as the first boot device in the BIOS.

What is the the exact type of W7 disk that you have, it must be the same version as what is on the HDD or a superior version http://www.sevenforu...pair.html?ltr=S you may need to do 3-4 Start up repairs to solve the issue BTW.

If the above does not work I will provide details of how to try and secure your data off the HDD.

[gmcube]

Yes, I have changed the boot order to boot from the disc first, the start up repairs have been running from the disc.

As far as I can tell the version on my laptop matches the version on the disc. I have Windows Home Premium 2009 service pack 1 installed, and I know I saw a 2009 copyright on the disc's menu. I think this is even the same disc I installed my current installation from. Im not sure the exact version however.


If and when we secure the data, will we need another hard drive? I assume yes. I'm trying to figure out if I can make do without having to buy a new one. The drive with the corrupt files or whatever is a 320 gig with about 15 gigs free give or take. I have a one TB with 224 gigs free. Any chance the contents of the 320 drive would fit? I'm not sure how much of that data is the OS you see.

Or were you thinking of partitioning it so that another drive won't be needed?

[phillpower2]

The drive with the corrupt files or whatever is a 320 gig with about 15 gigs free give or take.

This is most likely the cause of the problem/s and the reason why you are having trouble resolving the issue/s, see my canned text below;

Please note that you must always have a minimum of between 15 and 20% of a HDDs overall storage capacity available as free space or you risk the data on the drive becoming corrupt or in a worse case scenario mechanical failure of the HDD itself.
The above can render a computer inoperable if the HDD concerned has the OS on it due to the MBR (Master Boot Record) becoming damaged/corrupt, please see information @ http://pcsupport.abo...sterbootrec.htm

For trying to secure your data I suggest using Puppy Linux as it boots from the system memory, if the data is accessible you can then try and save it to a disk, USB device or thumb drives.

I will provide the Puppy details when you are ready.

NB: If you can free up between 48 and 64GB of free space on the 320GB HDD by copying the data to another source you could try a Start up Repair again as Windows will have enough space to copy files to and from, this is only an outside chance though but still worth a try.

[gmcube]

Yeah, I guess we'll try freeing up space first then trying a repair again.

Ive always filled my drives up to the brim without much problem. And when I didn't have Photoshop running I usually had a good 20 gigs free so I thought I was fine.

Ive never used Puppy Linux, but I have booted Ubuntu from disc before. I assume its a similar thing?

I'm ready though.

I'll be using a WD 1TB passport, which connects through usb. That should work, right?

Edited by gmcube, 02 April 2013 - 02:22 PM.

[phillpower2]

===================
***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-520.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click BurnCDCC
• Click Browse 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
• 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
  
  

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[list]
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
• 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!

Note that there might be some other Puppy distros on the page (such as Slacko Puppy), but you need Lucid Puppy (lupu), the Ubuntu-based one. Always make sure you start downloading a file that starts with "lupu"!

[gmcube]

Ok so using puppy linux I moved enough data to free up 62 gigs, a few start up repairs later and it's no different. I've noticed that when doing a start up repair from the disc it doesn't even find any errors. If I do without the disc it finds errors but cannot fix them.

[iammykyl]

Hi.
Is it possible that one of these condtions is not correct, preventing a repair from starting.

• If you changed the default location of the Program Files or Programs Files (x86) folder, then you will need to change it back to the C: drive, and change any shortcuts that pointed to the other location to also point to the C: drive before doing a repair install.
• If you changed the default location of a user account's profile folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users location first.
• If you moved the default location of a user folder, then you will need to change it back to the default C:\Users\(user-name) location first.

[gmcube]

Oh wow, Looks like I have all of those in D instead of C. How would we go about changing this?
I'm not sure why D exists at all. I may have set up a partition intended for Ubuntu but I thought I had gotten rid of it after deciding I just didn't have enough space to work with.

Edited by gmcube, 03 April 2013 - 02:45 AM.

[phillpower2]

Have a look @ http://www.partition...om/personal.htm

[gmcube]

Hmm, so which part of that am I supposed to be looking at?

Is it the ability to "Safely free merge adjacent partitions into one without data loss." ?

Can this be run without having windows running?

[phillpower2]

Read the Overview section, Free Hard Drive & Partition Manager Solution & Top Benefits.

"Safely free merge adjacent partitions into one without data loss."

Yes.

Can this be run without having windows running?

No, the software was intended for use if you are able to repair the OS, if you cannot repair the OS but you have managed to secure all of your data I would do a fresh install of the OS in any event, as long as you have the correct installation disk and product key that is.

[gmcube]

Ahh, well I guess I'll keep that one in my back pocket then, since I won't have much use for it once repaired.

Is there any reason that those directories have to be in C to do a repair? I mean, take a look.



It knows windows 7 is installed on D rather than C, so shouldn't it be attempting to repair that?

Also, if it'll help any, this is how I have things partitioned.



Nothing shows up when I look in C.
This is whats in D.


Currently trying to re organize or delete enough data to do a fresh install. Unless you have a way to change directories in a way that lets us do the repair with no data loss.

Edited by gmcube, 05 April 2013 - 02:22 AM.