Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: karolk on January 03, 2010, 12:33:33 PM
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HP Pavillion a1520n/XP Media Center Edition 2005
PC seemed to work fine yesterday. Son said it "froze" last night so he shut it down by holding in the power button. Today when I tried to boot it, it takes me to a black screen that says "we apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully....." When I try to start it normally, it just goes through some processes and then comes back to the same window. When I choose "safe mode" it runs through some processes and comes back to the same window.
Please help!
Thanks, Karol
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Do you have a current back up???
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Unfortunately...not!
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How about an XP install disk?
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I have the recovery disks (that I made) but don't want to do a reformat
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Unfortunately, most restore disks are equipped with a .SIF file which tells windows how to install. Auto partitioning and formatting is generally included as well. If you can manage to find a clean install disk, you can dual partition, yet retain your old files.
You may also download Linux Ubuntu from another PC and use the live OS from disk to retreive your files.
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I have NOOO idea how to do any of that! I would need step by step instructions. I do have access to a second pc...but it runs vista, not xp media.
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You may be better off having a computer savy friend help you out, but here's the nitty gritty
Reinstall Windows Without Losing Data (http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2109p156id111652.htm)
Recovering Files with Ubuntu (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/)
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If you don't have a windows install disk choice 1 won't help. Use choice 2 to recover any data you didn't have backed that you can afford to lose. All idea's I had involved an installation disk.
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Unfortunately...I don't want to lose ANY data! I have about 2000 Itunes songs....ughhhh!
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If you don't have a windows install disk choice 1 won't help. Use choice 2 to recover any data you didn't have backed that you can afford to lose. All idea's I had involved an installation disk.
HP does not supply the install disks...just give you the option of making your own recovery disks.
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If I do an HP Recovery, I will lose all of my data, correct? Are there any other options?
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If I do an HP Recovery, I will lose all of my data, correct? Are there any other options?
Yes that will take it back to factory settings
Option
Recovery files using Ubuntu listsd above. This one I've used on my daughters un backup computer to recover her My Documents and address books.
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I just put in the recovery disc to run the test and I got an error message "Short Self Test Failed" HD521-2W
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The Ubuntu solution will allow you to recover your iTunes, along with any documents, videos, pictures, or other media.
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Borrow a copy of XP (same version you have installed). Boot to it and choose the FIRST repair option (press R) - that will take you to the recovery console. Once there, run chkdsk /r - let's see if that helps.
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Hmmmm...anyplace I can "borrow" a copy? Everyone I asked, their pc came already pre-loaded. Is there anyplace on the internet?
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You can download a recovery console .iso and burn it to cd, then boot to it: http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=150212
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I just put in the recovery disc to run the test and I got an error message "Short Self Test Failed" HD521-2W
I think this means the hard drive has failed.
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I didn't see that, and am not sure if it refers to the HD or ram. Still, I'd run chkdsk /r as suggest above and if that finishes with no unrecoverable errors you can download and run a memory testing utility (ie, memtest).
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I am such a stoog....I went to the link but am unsure how to use it??
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1) Click on this link to download the Recovery Console .iso: http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso
2) Burn the .iso image to a cd using a utility to burn .iso images (pick one: http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/nero-iso-free.html)
3) Make sure the cd drive is the first boot item in your bios
4) Insert the cd you just created and boot to it
5) Once in the recovery console run chkdsk /r. It will take a while - let it finish. Make note of what it says when it finishes and tell us
6) After it completes reboot and report back.
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Got a message that reads "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."
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WOW - that was fast. You need to replace the HD
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Is all lost?
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Possibly...
But you can try hooking it up as a slave drive in a working machine and see if it will run long enough to grab your data...
Slave Drive Tutorial...complete with pics (http://www.dtidata.com/resourcecenter/2007/04/23/how-to-slave-hard-drive/)
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His HP is a desktop. I has a 250GB SATA Hard Drive. He can get another Hard drive and place in in the machine. Put it on hte first SATA, moe old one to second SATA. Thne use the recovery CD to get a fresh copy of Windows on the new drive.
Once he gets up and running with the new drive, he can simply copy over all the personal data he has, music, photos, videos and documents. But some programs have to be installed again.
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Hi patio and Geek...btw..."he" is a "she"! lol Anyway, sounds like something more than I can handle. I guess I will have to break down and take it somewhere.
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Karol...actually if you know someone who has worked on PC's it's not that hard to swap a SATA drive into another machine and copy/burn all the data...
Perhaps you know someone who could assist...best way to learn.
Just make sure to explain to them you do NOT want to be able to boot to the drive ...only get the Data...
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If u have CDXP, try with recovery console by using command:
1.Recovery Console. If you have an "installation" CD (not restore/recovery discs), you should check the integrity of the file system.
Boot to "Recovery Console" from the Windows XP Install CD. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press <R> key to start the Recovery Console.
You'll be asked to enter the "number" of the Windows installation you wish to repair (usually "1"), then the "Administrator" password, if one was set. If you never assigned a password, just hit <Enter> key.
Use the "chkdsk" command to verify the integrity of your file system and automatically attempt to fix errors found. Use the following syntax: "chkdsk /p /r". If you've followed the instructions, you don't need to enter a drive letter because you should be on the correct volume.
Depending upon the size of your partition, these checks could take a long time. Let them run to completion without interruption. The chkdsk utility was not designed to be interrupted - so don't. Doing so might corrupt the file system.
The "exit" command is used to quit Recovery Console and
2.fixboot
if not ok try repair your windows with your CDXP.
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Samnang - already suggested and done. And for future reference, the correct command is: chkdsk /r - no other switches.
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Allan,
I took the tower to Staples. They called and said the hard drive is worthless and they are not able to retrieve anything "in house". Ughhhh. Any suggestions on what to do with a worthless tower? The only reason I asked is because if I can get anything for it...I sure want to try!
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If you are otherwise happy with the computer, just replace the hard drive.
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They told me it would be $240 to replace the hard drive. Seems like a lot but I really don't know.
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Nonsense. You can replace the drive yourself for well under $100. Here's a good 500 MB hd for $55. It costs nothing to install it yourself: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136073
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I love your "nonsense" statement. I feel like I am being taken advantage of just because I do not understand computers! They charged me $75.00 to tell me my hard drive failed and nothing could be recovered....
Thanks for the link. Do you think I will be able to replace a hard drive myself? Is it as simple as unscrewing the old one, placing a new one in, plugging it in and going? A few years ago, I put a cd drive in an old computer. Is it a similar process?
Regarding the hard drive...apparantly the one that died was 250GB. The link you sent is 500GB so I understand that means more storage. How about speed? What dictates that?
Thanks so much for all of your input!
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1) Yes, it is exactly the same process as replacing the cd. If you did that, you can do this.
2) The two major factors in determining speed are rpm's and on board cache.
3) As long as you are replacing it you might as well go with the larger drive if the price is okay with you. You don't have to go with the one I posted or the supplier. It was just to point out what a good drive goes for. You want something from a name you recognize (both the manufacturer and the retailer). I usually go to either Newegg or Amazon. Read the reviews and pick something that looks good.
BTW - there are many "how to" guides on the web you can reference when replacing the drive if you want to feel a little more comfortable, but you won't have any problem doing it. Once installed you'll need to boot to your OS cd and format and install the OS.
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Okay, so apparently I had a 250GB 7200 rpm hard drive before...
the link you sent would be twice as much storage with the same rpm...so I am assuming it would be the same speed?
I don't know what on board cache means. How can I check that? Will you please explain?
While I am replacing this hard drive, I should make sure I am making it as fast or preferably faster than it was before. LOL...I can't believe I am saying all of this!
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Don't worry about it. Any current drive you get will be just fine. And although it may sound contrary to common sense, the size of the drive will not have any noticeable impact on speed.
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I think what I will do...if you think this sounds okay...is go to Staples to pick up my tower and see what they have for sale.
I want to sound like I know what I am talking about, so I will ask for:
1) a minimum 500 GB Internal Hard Drive
2) a minimum speed of 7200 RPM
3) a minimum cache of 16 MB
4) SATA
Does this sound correct?
Any other advice?
Thank you so, so much for your input!
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You are going to overpay at Staples, but sure - that's fine.
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Agreed...
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I DID IT...I DID IT!!! Spent $79.99 at Staple's but had a $15.00 coupon...so not tooooo bad. Seagate Barracuda 500GB/7200 RPM/16MB Anyhow, I was actually able to follow the instructions and remove the old and install the new...all by myself. Seems easy, but for me...very scary!!
Thank you, thank you so much for all of your help! Just wish I didn't pay Staples $75.00 to find out the thing was fried!!!
:o