**Help**PC no longer boots to windows - BSOD!

[opet616]

Ok, so I turned on my computer and i just get a BSOD saying the usual "uninstall any anti-virus, disk defragmentation tools and run CHKDSK /F for corruption." But I can't get into Windows to do even do any of this! I have tried booting into safe mode but that doesn't work, but just results in exactly the same BSOD. I have also run the Hard Drive Diagnostics tool and it passes. I really don't know how to fix this as it has never happened to me before. I fear I may have lost all my data and may need to reinstall windows... so if anybody has a solution I would be very appreciative.

Cheers

 

[neil_g]

do you have any sort of bootdisk to hand that could get you to a command prompt so you can do a chkdsk?

 

[Makhaira]

For starters, you should NEVER have your data on the same partition as your Windows install. Ever. Doing such an act should be classed as instant "fail".

On a more positive note, if you can get yourself around to a mate's, there are many useful boot CDs on the net with all sorts of recovery tools on them (Ultimate Boot CD springs to mind), so even if you can't fix your Windows install, you can still get your data off. Other option would be a live Linux distro.

 

[neil_g]

For starters, you should NEVER have your data on the same partition as your Windows install. Ever. Doing such an act should be classed as instant "fail".

On a more positive note, if you can get yourself around to a mate's, there are many useful boot CDs on the net with all sorts of recovery tools on them (Ultimate Boot CD springs to mind), so even if you can't fix your Windows install, you can still get your data off. Other option would be a live Linux distro.

partitions arent going to help if the drive fails. backing up important data to an external device would be better.

anyhow back on topic. Ultimate boot disk you can get to a CMD prompt for chkdsk in that and/or access your data to extract to a USB drive etc etc.

 

[Makhaira]

partitions arent going to help if the drive fails. backing up important data to an external device would be better.

Very true, but if he's BSODing then even if it is hardware as opposed to software, it still hasn't totally failed

 

[opet616]

For starters, you should NEVER have your data on the same partition as your Windows install. Ever. Doing such an act should be classed as instant "fail".

On a more positive note, if you can get yourself around to a mate's, there are many useful boot CDs on the net with all sorts of recovery tools on them (Ultimate Boot CD springs to mind), so even if you can't fix your Windows install, you can still get your data off. Other option would be a live Linux distro.

Well, it's a Dell and I haven't changed anything with regards to partitions since we bought it. I have just check out the Ultimate Boot CD on google, but there are so many tools included in it; Which one would I use to recover data?

 

[Makhaira]

Without meaning to sound offensive or patronising, if you don't know what you should be using, you're best asking someone more familiar with data recovery to help you. Firstly they're more likely to have better success more quickly, and secondly, whilst some recovery techniques are passive and just read the drive, some can alter your drive to try and get it working again, which can just further aggravate the situation if you're not certain of your actions.

 

[opet616]

Without meaning to sound offensive or patronising, if you don't know what you should be using, you're best asking someone more familiar with data recovery to help you. Firstly they're more likely to have better success more quickly, and secondly, whilst some recovery techniques are passive and just read the drive, some can alter your drive to try and get it working again, which can just further aggravate the situation if you're not certain of your actions.

None taken. I'll be the first to admit that I really do know nothing about this sort of thing. And seeing as I don't even have a Windows reinstallation disk I think I may just try and get the local computer guy out to help me. But thanks for all your help anyways.