Main Goal: gain access to my files so I can save them without doing anything that would damage or erase my files because the files are what's important to me, I don't mind if I have to
reformat as long as I can save the files first.
Hello everyone, this is my first post on here and I would greatly appreciate any help.
I want to give as much information as possible so you have a more accurate picture and you don't have to drag information out of me but at the same time I just experienced, over the last
few days, a slew of problems with my laptop and have been recovering little by little over the last 3 days. So I want to just address the Subject (Can't Boot Into Safe Mode or Open
msconfig) I entered first instead of writing a novel about how after my laptop powered down:
(1)CHKDSK started after a restart, did a bunch of crazy stuff including "Replacing invalid security id with default security id for file XXXX." Did this on nearly 400,000 files.
(2)Then windows wouldn't boot so I did a boot repair that didn't work.
(3)Then tried to do a system restore but the first one didn't work and was "damaged or deleted" in the process. I thought the second one didn't work either and tried it twice since I
didn't get the "damaged" message on this restore point and then gave up for the night (the "novel" will include the error messages I received each time).
(4)Then when I turned on my computer this morning it miraculously booted to the desktop but then said that Windows was not genuine (it is genuine). I think the 2 and 1/2 hours that the
computer was trying to use the 2nd restore point ended up restoring enough that I could get my system running somewhat as this was the first time for me to restart it after the 2nd restore
point failed both times. I thought "oh well, I can see files on my desktop and that's all I care about, saving my files." Well, when I tried to copy them from my desktop to an external
hard drive I received a prompt that said I didn't have access to C:\ (which is what 80% of my data is on along with Windows and all other programs). Went to Windows Explorer and when I
clicked on OS (C:) I was denied access (this has NTFS by it when I go to my Computer, I've seen people talking about that before but I don't know what it means but figured it could be
important to know exactly what type I have). I tried to change ownership and permission and still can't get into it (It worked on an individual folder on my desktop and by "worked" I mean
it changed ownership and permission but I still couldn't move the folder. When I tried to change the ownership and permission on the C drive it didn't work at all, it failed). I can't
even access individual files that I can actually see on my desktop. I have another drive that I can access, DATAPART1 (D:). Both the C: and D: have 500GB. I can also access the external
hard drive that's plugged in.
So those are the CliffsNotes of the novel. If I need to I can write the novel with a whole lot more about every different avenue I have taken so far to get where I am. But I have seen in
several places where people had the same problem but were able to gain access and copy their files while in Safe Mode. Unfortunately I've had problems the last year or so using F8 to get
to Safe Mode so I always had to use msconfig and then restart it but now that's not working.
In regards to booting in Safe Mode these are the steps I've done so far:
(1) Pressed F8 repeatedly before Windows started
(2) Held down F8 before Windows started.
(3) Pressed F8 + Fn (Function key) repeatedly before Windows started
(4) Held down F8 + Fn (Function key) before Windows started.
(5) Went to Start>Search programs and files, typed in msconfig and nothing happens, no results
(6) Went to Start>Search programs and files, typed in cmd and nothing happens, no results
(7) Went to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run, then typed in msconfig and prompted with "Windows cannot access C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe"
(8) Went to Start>Search programs and files, typed in System Configuration and nothing happens, no results
(9) Went to Run again and typed something in suggested online but I can't remember what the line was but it kind of seems like it might have been "C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe" I
tried to look at the dropdown next to the Open field but didn't see that previous entry I made so I'm not 100% sure that's what I entered.
I read somewhere msconfig is saved on the C:\ drive. I'm not sure but maybe that's why I can't access it because I can't access that drive. However, I would think if that was the case
then I couldn't get on Internet Explorer like I am now since it's also on the C:\. I find that some programs and parts of the system work and some don't.
I did find that if I go to Run and type in cmd that the Command Prompt does pop up if that helps any.
So to wrap things up I just need as many alternative ways to get to the Safe Mode without damaging or deleting my files so I can see if I can save them in that boot mode. I don't care
about the system, if I can get my files off I will just wipe the whole thing off and start from scratch (or use the Dell DataSafe Local Backup that I did when I first got the laptop). So I
beg of you please don't confuse me with any suggestions that will save the system but will delete my files because that would be devastating. I only care about my files that I cannot
replace. If I can get the files saved then maybe after two nights of not being able to sleep I can finally get a good night's rest.
If I still can't access Safe Mode or if it still doesn't work in Safe Mode then I'll come back on here and either start a new topic or add back onto this one with a full explanation (my
novel) of what has happened over the last 3 days (Actually some guidance on whether I should continue with this thread or start a new topic would help too).
I do well with directions that are very specific, step-by-step, and that don't assume I know what I'm doing...because I don't, I'm not that computer savvy.
Rest assured, after this I will be the best good-little-boy ever about backing up my files.
THANK YOU for any help I get! It's a great thing that you people do on this site!
(sorry to be redundant, I don't care about the system, only the files)
System:
Windows 7 Home Premium
Don't know what Service Packs I have
C:\ - main drive that I can't access
D:\ - alternate drive that I can access (already moved files off of it)
Dell Studio 1749
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 520 @ 2.40GHz 2.40GHz
(RAM) 8:00 GB
64-bit Operating System