Computer Not Fully Loading, HELP!!!

[lowlow42]

Wow, I'm pretty nervous about my system, hopefully its fine. Here's my problem.

I made an additional username on my pc, and then restarted my computer. Now as soon as I restarted my computer, it loads the usually Windows Xp Screen, with status bar at the bottom, but when it starts to load up the login screen, it just restarts. It doesn't load up the login screen. I tried logging in Safe Mode, but it does the same thing. I also tried loading with last recent settings, and that doesn't work. It all just restarts.

Please dont tell me I have lost my files or I have to reinstall the OS... What could be the problem?

[808smokey]

if you have a windows xp install cd you can do a windows "repair" and it will save your files. It only reloads the windows files.


I would also suggest a backup program like norton ghost or something of that nature

[d_unbeliever]

press F8 on your keyboard before the Windows XP Screen to get to the advanced boot menu. In the advanced boot menu, choose Restore Last Working Configuration. sorry i can't remember the exact terms

[lowlow42]

if you have a windows xp install cd you can do a windows "repair" and it will save your files. It only reloads the windows files.


I would also suggest a backup program like norton ghost or something of that nature

I'll try that, hopefully it works. I just dont want to lose anything, I had many important files.

press F8 on your keyboard before the Windows XP Screen to get to the advanced boot menu. In the advanced boot menu, choose Restore Last Working Configuration. sorry i can't remember the exact terms

Thanks, but I tried that before, unfortunately it didnt work.

[bazooka]

You need to reinstall.

The activation is farked up.

[Garibaldi]

I would try the non-destructive reinstall from the xp cds. If that doesn't work or you can't do that, its probably time for a format/destructive install, which means your harddrive will be completely erased. One way that you could recover your data to cds or dvds first though is to run a live-cd on your system, access you files, and burn them to cds. A very good linux live-cd is slax (150MB iso) found here:
www.slax.org
All you have to do is stick the cd in at startup and it will boot up the whole linux os from the cd. Then use the burning program K3b in KDE to burn your files to cds. After that do a destructive reinstall (format) and start anew.

[lowlow42]

Dang... I just did a format/re-install about 2 months ago. So its probably my activation (could a resetter have been the problem, because I took my computer to a shop that belongs to a friend of mine, and he mentioned something about a resetter he installed)? If I run Knoppix-STD, will I be able to transfer my files to my 2nd hard drive? Can I explore files with Knoppix-STD, or should I use the "SLAX" you mentioned? Or are they basically the same thing?

[bazooka]

(could a resetter have been the problem

Yep.

[Garibaldi]

If I run Knoppix-STD, will I be able to transfer my files to my 2nd hard drive? Can I explore files with Knoppix-STD, or should I use the "SLAX" you mentioned? Or are they basically the same thing?

You would be able to transfer your files if your 2nd hard drive is formatted in Fat32 (not NTSF because linux doesn't actively support writing to NTSF yet). If it is NTSF then your only choice is to burn them to cds or use a USB Flash drive or Zip drive. By Knoppix STD, do you just mean:
www.knoppix.net
or are you talking about a special flavor of Knoppix? As far as the differences between Knoppix and Slax, basically there are none except the Slax iso is much smaller (and Knoppix is based on Debian and Slax is based on Slackware, but that's not really too significant). Both of them use KDE and K3b for burning. Both auto detect your hardware so you could even use them as your primary os for a few days until you get this straightened out- just save all your data to removable media.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!

[lowlow42]

Oh Wow!!! This really sucks! Well I have an idea... If I remove my primary hard drive, and install Windows XP on my 2nd Hard drive, and then set my original 1st hd as a slave, I could transfer all my files from the original drive to the 2nd (which would be running the OS). Kind of confusing, but basically I would switch the drives around temporarily so I could transfer files.

How does Norton Ghost work? Could this utility be of much help to me in this situation?

P.S. How would I access my files on Knoppix? I'm new to Linux and all of that. And I got my version of Knoppix from http://www.knoppix-std.org. Is that going to work out?

[lowlow42]

Oh, and would the Windows XP Repair Utility (on the cd) help at all, and if so how would I work it? Because I pressed "r" to repair, and then it took me to a prompt of some sort, with the directory "c:/windows" and I didnt know what to type.

[bazooka]

Next time, do not use a resetter.

[Garibaldi]

Oh Wow!!! This really sucks! Well I have an idea... If I remove my primary hard drive, and install Windows XP on my 2nd Hard drive, and then set my original 1st hd as a slave, I could transfer all my files from the original drive to the 2nd (which would be running the OS). Kind of confusing, but basically I would switch the drives around temporarily so I could transfer files.

You could but it would probably be faster to just use a linux live-cd, that way you are only installing xp once.

P.S. How would I access my files on Knoppix? I'm new to Linux and all of that. And I got my version of Knoppix from http://www.knoppix-std.org. Is that going to work out?

It looks like the version that you downloaded includes Fluxbox as the windowmaker, it might be more difficult for you to find your way around. You would have better luck with the original Knoppix or Slax, both of which include the KDE windowmaker, which is very user friendly. If your looking for the smaller download file, go with Slax.
To access your files in linux (either Knoppix or Slax):
1. Click on the home icon on the kicker (taskbar), this will bring up your home directory in linux
2. On the left-hand side you should see a symbol like this:
3. Now you are in the devices window- go to hda or your hard drive.
4. You should now be in your familiar C: drive (linux refers to this as /dev/hda, /dev/hdb, ect)
5. Now go to the K menu and open K3b. This is a pretty easy to understand burning program.
6. Drag all your files onto a new data dvd or cd project in K3b. Once it comes time to burn, simply put the disk in your drive and burn. Once it finishes you can check it to make sure all your files are there. ** If you only have 1 cd drive, use slax because you will need to run the os in your RAM for this to work. Now, when you first put in the slax cd, it will come up and say boot:. Here type slax copy2ram. This will slow down the startup process but will copy all your files to the ram so you can eventually remove the cd.**
7. After you have burned all your files and have verified them, either go to logoff or go to a new Konsole and type:
su
password: toor
halt
This will shut off your machine. Then reboot with the XP disk and do a full destructive reinstall. Hopefully that will work for you.
Let me know what other questions you have.
Garibaldi

[lowlow42]

Alright, I'm pretty mad that I have to re-install everything, but I guess it has to be done! I actually have 2 cd drives (DVD Writer, and DVD-ROM). I'll let you know how it goes. Now then, as for an activation code, you're saying I shouldn't use a resetter? And why is that?

[Garibaldi]

Alright, I'm pretty mad that I have to re-install everything, but I guess it has to be done! I actually have 2 cd drives (DVD Writer, and DVD-ROM). I'll let you know how it goes.

That makes it alot easier! Just put the Knoppix or Slax disk in the DVD-ROM drive.
Good Luck!

[bazooka]

Alright, I'm pretty mad that I have to re-install everything, but I guess it has to be done! I actually have 2 cd drives (DVD Writer, and DVD-ROM). I'll let you know how it goes. Now then, as for an activation code, you're saying I shouldn't use a resetter? And why is that?

Because it messes the activation feature up.

If windows detects that the activation feature has been tampered with then you are right back to where you started.

You will be locked out and have to reinstall all over again.

[Faustus]

Do not use a resetter as has been mentioned before.

Your windows is messed up because you used a tool thats designed for people trying to steal the OS.

If you have a legit copy there is no reason to avoid activation. If your having a problem with your product key and activation call 1-800-936-5700 and if you have your original OS CD and Key in hand they can work out a new one with you.

As far as the problem itself. Its time to reinstall. Good luck.

Further discussion about the use of activation reset tools will force me to give a warning. PLease take this as kind reminder of the board rules.

[dxj40c]

You asked:How does Norton Ghost work? Could this utility be of much help to me in this situation?

Ghost is a back-up program that will definitely help in your situation. I couldn't sleep without "Ghost". (There are other backup programs that are just as good, I just happen to use Norton.) I have many important files also and am paranoid about full backups. In a situation like the one you describe, with a full system backup on DVD(s), you could be up and running in about 30 minutes, faster than it takes to install the OS.

[lowlow42]

Further discussion about the use of activation reset tools will force me to give a warning. PLease take this as kind reminder of the board rules.

I'm sorry, Im a little dissappointed that when I took it to my friends shop, he installed a resetter and still charged me for an installation of Windows XP. Oh well...

As for Norton Ghost, I have a Norton Systemworks 2004 Cd, that has Norton Ghost on it. How do I go about using? Do I install it on another computer and then put my hard drive in that same computer? How would I use it in my situation?

As for SLAX, I was able to load up everything fine, but I cannot browse to my harddrive, how do I find it?

And last but not least, I actually have my hard drive from my computer set to "cable select" on the computer I'm posting on now. I could transfer the files, but unfortunately it says "Acess Denied". There's no way to get my files?

Why did this have to happen to me???!!!

[bazooka]

If you would have activated the os to begin with instead of trying to bypass activation, you would not be having these issues.

[lowlow42]

I know, but I didn't know that my friend had put a resetter in it. Next time I know to tell him that.

[lowlow42]

-Moderators-

I'm just trying to get help, I dont mean to talk about piracy, I'm just trying to telling you what has happened to me.

[Garibaldi]

Alright, let me startup slax and get some screenshots for you, just a sec...

[lowlow42]

No problem

[Garibaldi]

Alright, I'm in Slax.
First go to your home:


Now go to the Devices Tab on the side:


And finally go to your hard drive, it should read Hard Disk Part 1 /mnt/hda or /mnt/disk0. My computer is an hp with a recovery partition, that's why there are 2 on mine. Once you open up Hard Disk you shouuld see all your files just like your looking at the C: Drive.

After you find your files, go to the K menu, Multimedia, and K3b. You can now burn your files to DVD/CD.

[lowlow42]

And that's where my harddrive should be? And will I have access to the files saved under my account?

[Garibaldi]

And that's where my harddrive should be? And will I have access to the files saved under my account?

I had to upload three pictures so I'm not sure at what point you made this post- but yes you will be able to access files from all accounts because windows isn't running so you don't have to have permissions to access anything. As far as getting to "My Documents" just go:
C:\documents and settings\[your username]\my documents\

[lowlow42]

Alright... Sounds GREAT! I will try it in about 20 minutes, and I'll let you know how it goes.

As for the post, sorry... I posted while you had just upload the 2 pic.

Hopefully this works out!

[Garibaldi]

As for the post, sorry... I posted while you had just upload the 2 pic.

No problem!
Good Luck!

[lowlow42]

Is there any possible way of transferring files to my 2nd hard drive through SLAX? I tried making a new folder on my 2nd hard drive, and it said it couldn't make it, why not?

I just have alot of files, and I dont want to have use a whole bunch of cd's, but dont get me wrong I will do it if I have to. They are pretty important files.