Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: Eddie31 on October 11, 2009, 03:36:43 AM
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Hi,
My laptop (acer travelmate 2414wlmi) is not loading xp at all. I turn it on, the acer screen loads, and then it's just permanent darkness with a flashing underscore in the top left.
I would like to recover my files to an external hard drive before doing a full system restore. I ran check disk on the windows recovery cd, as well as avira antivir, but neither had any effect.
I tried Ubuntu, which has worked for me before, but my files did not appear. Only system files and acer disc were visible.
Is there anything similar to ubuntu I can use to recover my files?
Is there anything else I could try?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ed
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What led up to this? Did you install new hw or sw? Was there a virus or a BSOD? It's unlikely this just happened out of the blue.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/patio/CHope/laptoide.jpg)
2.5" Laptop to IDE converter....about 8 Bucks at any PC store.
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What led up to this? Did you install new hw or sw? Was there a virus or a BSOD? It's unlikely this just happened out of the blue.
Hi Allan.
I don’t know if this would have caused it, but I lost connection to my wireless router a couple of days ago, and reduced the security level from wpa and wep to just wep, in order to connect to it.
I have had virus trouble in the past, but nothing since my last reboot in april.
There was no bsod or any clear signs of a virus.
The only thing that had led up to it was attempting to connect to the wireless from another room. It failed and then would not connect any longer on high security settings. When I tried to use the orange livebox disc (which has worked previously) there was an error message. (unrecognised, or incompatible, or something, I can’t remember exactly)
I live in the middle of nowhere so I don’t think any malicious locals have gained access to the network.
Ed
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Can you boot to the recovery console and run chkdsk /r ?
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Can you boot to the recovery console and run chkdsk /r ?
It didn't work actually. It only worked when I did chkdsk d: /r .
When I tried to run chkdsk /r I got this message: The Volume Appears To Contain One or More Unrecoverable Problems
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Okay. That means your system partition/drive is shot. Patio's suggestion is probably best.
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Ok. Thanks for that. I’ll make an investment. In the mean time, are there any other ubuntu like programs available that might help? Or is that error message pretty conclusive?
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Bought and tried an ide to usb adapter, and it has not worked. I could access G: Acer data, so I suspect theres no mechanical failure. However, I got the following message when I tried to access F. F:\ is not accessible. The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
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I don't trust USB for retrieving valuable data...the one shown hooks it up to an internal IDE cable instead.
Doesn't make sense that one partition would work and the other an I/O error...
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...Doesn't make sense that one partition would work and the other an I/O error...
Depends on the adapter he bought. USB powered will give those messages. Externally powered are much more reliable. It's usually due to the difference in current draw (amps) among laptop drives. The difference is not large, but enough to shutdown a USB port temporarily.
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Ok. Thanks for that. I’ll make an investment. In the mean time, are there any other ubuntu like programs available that might help? Or is that error message pretty conclusive?
If conventional wisdom fails, try TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) data recovery. It can be invoked from different media and different operating systems (including Windows XP).
It is also available within SystemRescueCd (http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page).
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If conventional wisdom fails, try TestDisk, Data Recovery (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk). It can be invoked from different media and different operating systems.
It is also available within SystemRescueCd (http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page).
I suppose "C" is where Windows is and "D" is where Ubuntu is? There also could be a hidden Recovery Partition.
This message: "When I tried to run chkdsk /r I got this message: The Volume Appears To Contain One or More Unrecoverable Problems", says there is probably a problem with "C".
Go Back to Recovery Console and type Fixmbr and then Fixboot
http://www.computerhope.com/fixmbr.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/fixboot.htm
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Is this a standard response to fixmbr?
Caution
This computer appears to have a non-standard or invalid master boot record,
FIXMBR may damage your partition tales if you proceed.
This could cause all the partitions on the current hard disc to become inaccessible.
If you are not haveing problems accessing your drive, do not continue.
Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?
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And do I need to specify device for fixmbr?
And drive for fixboot?
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Is this a standard response to fixmbr?
Caution
This computer appears to have a non-standard or invalid master boot record,
FIXMBR may damage your partition tales if you proceed.
This could cause all the partitions on the current hard disc to become inaccessible.
If you are not having problems accessing your drive, do not continue.
Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?
No, not a "Standard Response". However, since you have previously received the message: "The Volume Appears To Contain One or More Unrecoverable Problems", that's likely what it's referring to. Since you are having problems, I would continue. Since it's not working, you have nothing to lose, except maybe the Ubutu boot loader, which you would have to resolve later. I know nothing about Ubuntu.
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Fixmbr and fixboot were successful. When I restarted I got this message...
ntldr is missing. press any key to restart. (have not seen this before)
then after restarting:
pxe-e61 media test failure, check cable
pxe-m0f:exiting pxe rom
operating system not found. (had seen this prior to fixmbr and fixboot)
Tried Ubuntu, I can access what is referred to as 18.1 GB media .(properties call it vfat (FAT12)
The items inside are unopenable documents that have what look like word logos. and are called different letters of the alphabet. I tried copying them onto the hard drive and this did not work
My question is.
Are these my work?
If so, what has happened to them?
And can I get them back to normal?
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Ok. Ive just plugged the hard drive into my home comp. And I can access F, which was giving me the I/O error before. However there is nothing in there. Is it possible that fixmbr or fixboot could have wiped my work? Getting a bit worried now.
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Update:
Checked properties of F. Used space - 2.93 mb. Free 7.16 mb- so it hasnt wiped everything (or anything?) But why are the contents invisible?
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The Ship is Sunk
You probably lost everything. Reinstall OS and programs. Make sure you have all original CD's and/or drivers.
You keep no backups of your work?
You torpedoed yourself.
I keep triple backups on different media.
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If conventional wisdom fails, try TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) data recovery. It can be invoked from different media and different operating systems (including Windows XP).
It is also available within SystemRescueCd (http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page).
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FixMBR is not a fix for lost data. It fixes a damaged MBR. Not likely to be the problem.
As patio said, do NOT use a USB adapter. They are wimpy at best.
You want to convert from 2.5 IDE to the standard 3.5 IDE connector. That way you can slave it in your desktop and see what there is to see.
Watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNxBiIWBXUM&feature=player_embedded