I have an old Gateway desktop that my nephew put together for me several years ago and it just started having issues. It would click off and boot me off of the system. At first, it would let me choose Vista and start normally, but the Windows green line would just keeping going around and around. Nothing would happen. Now, it won't even let me get that far. When I turn the computer on, it goes to a black screen with white writing (sorry, I know next to nothing about computers) and says "Windows failed to start - insert installation disk" but I don't have the disk. When I pressed Enter to escape, it went to "Loading Windows Files" and stops at "Loaded: \Windows\system 32\DRIVERS\null.sys" it just sits there until I turn off the computer. At other times, it will give me something like (I can't remember exactly what it says)... \ DBH and a circle comes on then stops and says to insert reboot disk. I hope someone can assist me. I am a grandma of five - going to school online - and all my school, personal, and writing stuff is on this computer. Even if I can just get on long enough to put some of it on a thumb drive I just went and purchased (like my grandkids pictures and my novels (writing). Thank you in advance. I appreciate the help so much.

Vista system on Gateway desktop won't boot
#1
Posted 08 April 2015 - 04:42 PM

#2
Posted 09 April 2015 - 06:17 AM

Sounds like Windows has become damaged/corrupted however a damaged HDD can also cause Windows to produce the same message if any required files cannot be accessed due to an area of the disk being unreadable, trying to recover your data is quite rightfully a priority and you can use Puppy Linux for this, details below;
TIP
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===================
***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 BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/
BurnCDCC
and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second
(Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
3. Recover Your Data
3a. Mount Drives
3b. Transfer Files.
For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders for XP is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each individual name of each user, for Vista and above C:\Users\$USERNAME\[...]. 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!
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