Windows Vista O/S not starting

[BC_Programmer]

if you're primary concern is to get the data off the hard drive, you could burn a Linux Live CD, such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu. If the hard drive is indeed in working order, you should be able to access it once the CD boots up. (selecting the appropriate option, "try Linux Mint/Ubuntu without installing" or something to that effect). Then you can navigate the drive and copy the files you want to your external.

Once you have everything, you could proceed with the wipe-reinstall instructions.

I'd say something with regards to the Vista Repair, but things are confusing enough already.

[Computer_Commando]

I've just been reading through your thread on the other website.  Broni is a senior member here, as well, and is respected by all.  You refused to follow his instruction there & you're doing the same to me here.  I suggest you take the laptop to a shop, I don't think you're ready to fix this yourself.  I can offer you no more assistance.

[Andrea4]

Its not that I refused to do it. I never wanted to take the time. And in another thread on that forum, I'm not exactly sure what someone said but they made it seem like the memtest could do harm to my computer. What have I refused to do that you said? Multiple people have told me different things in here and sometimes what you said didn't seem to apply to me.

[patio]

MemTest cannot harm a computer...period.

[Andrea4]

I've just been reading through your thread on the other website.  Broni is a senior member here, as well, and is respected by all.  You refused to follow his instruction there & you're doing the same to me here.  I suggest you take the laptop to a shop, I don't think you're ready to fix this yourself.  I can offer you no more assistance.

Did you mean that I refused to open my computer? Well sorry I am not a computer expert and I didn't want to mess with something I know nothing about. I shouldn't have even brought up the memory issue here. I would like to still try and avoid taking it somewhere and pay for something that I think I can do myself.

And if you mean that I have refused to just reinstall Windows without trying to still get to my files, again I am sorry that I dont't want to do that. I just want to be certain there is no way to get to the files before I do that. That is why I came here for advice from people that know more about computers then I do.

[Andrea4]

if you're primary concern is to get the data off the hard drive, you could burn a Linux Live CD, such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu. If the hard drive is indeed in working order, you should be able to access it once the CD boots up. (selecting the appropriate option, "try Linux Mint/Ubuntu without installing" or something to that effect). Then you can navigate the drive and copy the files you want to your external.

Once you have everything, you could proceed with the wipe-reinstall instructions.

I'd say something with regards to the Vista Repair, but things are confusing enough already.

I would like to try and do this. But how do I download them? I went to the Linux site and do I download the 32bit cd version with codecs? Do I click on ftp or htpp under protocol. Or md5 under sum?

[BC_Programmer]

I would like to try and do this. But how do I download them? I went to the Linux site and do I download the 32bit cd version with codecs? Do I click on ftp or htpp under protocol. Or md5 under sum?

For your purposes, Linux Mint's CD No Codec should do it. To get the download itself, scroll down on the download page and choose a mirror.

[Andrea4]

Ok I downloaded the ISO file. I can't figure out how to check it with the md5sum to make sure that it is a good file. Help please? And then I am going to need help burning it to a CD.

[Andrea4]

OK the md5sums are good.

[Andrea4]

Nevermind. I got the Linux ISO burned to a CD.

[Andrea4]

So I have Linux running. But how do I get to my old files?

[Andrea4]

Nevermind! I found them. Yay!

[Andrea4]

So I have copied all of my pictures, videos, music, and documents to my external hard drive. Is there maybe anything else I should be copying too? The fact that I was able to do this is a good sign that the hard drive is ok right?

If there is nothing else I should do, I think I am ready to reinstall Windows. Just to be clear, what is the best way to do this? Do a PC Restore or something else? If it was already said in this thread, maybe someone could tell me what reply # it is.

[Allan]

Okay, let's not worry about all of this. The advice above to follow the instructions from Broni was the best possible advice. Broni is a very knowledgeable individual and I recommend that you go back to the forum where he was helping you and do as he says.

[Andrea4]

Okay, let's not worry about all of this. The advice above to follow the instructions from Broni was the best possible advice. Broni is a very knowledgeable individual and I recommend that you go back to the forum where he was helping you and do as he says.

What??  Shouldn't I get Windows working before I do anything else? And I have been doing memory tests now. They passed. I'm not sure if there is even a problem with the memory. What else do you want me to do?