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- Joined
- 30 Dec 2003
- Posts
- 2,254
Looking for some advice and recommendations as to the possible explanations for a problem I am currently trying to diagnose! I am trying to sort out this problem for my parents however I do not have access to the machine, I am entirely reliant on asking them questions and getting them to try bits and pieces as I give instruction over the phone... Which can be particularly trying!!!
Anyway, they have a Windows Vista machine, one of the budget prebuilt range sold from Overclockers. I cannot remember the hardware but I do not think it is relevant to the issue. Apparently they suddenly cannot boot into Windows. When the computer is turned on it boots to the 'Windows Advanced Options Menu'. Safe mode (all varieties), start normally and last known good configuration all show the same behaviour - The Windows 'loading' bar is shown and then the computer briefly flashes a blue screen (BSOD, I assume) and reboots.
I suggested trying to access the 'Windows Vista Recovery' using the system disk. This does not find the existing installation. Options such as 'StartUp Repair' fail (some of the output shows MBR issues). I suggested trying bootrec /fixmbr and /fixboot at the 'Command Prompt' but both of these fail with a particular message to the effect that something is not found - I apologise for the lack of accuracy in the message but it was pretty challenging keeping a record of everything tried without access to the machine!
None the less, the behaviour certainly showed signs the HDD has died. However, the confusion with this explanation is how it even manages to boot to 'Windows Advanced Options Menu'. I am not entirely familiar with the Windows boot sequence but I'd have thought that the MBR must be intact and drive operational for it to have booted to the options menu.
My other explanation was a virus, but the fact that 'Windows Vista Recovery' does not even find the installation and cannot create/fix the MBR confuses me.
I'm stumped! I appreciate that it'll be a push to expect any assistance with such a wishy-washy description of the problem but anything that gives me something to Google could be useful. If I'm unable to help remotely they'll have no choice but to take it to a PC repair shop which I'd rather avoid. I sincerely hope that it is possible to recover the computer and HDD as it contains some particularly precious images (that, I agree, should really have been backed up!).
Sorry for the ramble!
Anyway, they have a Windows Vista machine, one of the budget prebuilt range sold from Overclockers. I cannot remember the hardware but I do not think it is relevant to the issue. Apparently they suddenly cannot boot into Windows. When the computer is turned on it boots to the 'Windows Advanced Options Menu'. Safe mode (all varieties), start normally and last known good configuration all show the same behaviour - The Windows 'loading' bar is shown and then the computer briefly flashes a blue screen (BSOD, I assume) and reboots.
I suggested trying to access the 'Windows Vista Recovery' using the system disk. This does not find the existing installation. Options such as 'StartUp Repair' fail (some of the output shows MBR issues). I suggested trying bootrec /fixmbr and /fixboot at the 'Command Prompt' but both of these fail with a particular message to the effect that something is not found - I apologise for the lack of accuracy in the message but it was pretty challenging keeping a record of everything tried without access to the machine!
None the less, the behaviour certainly showed signs the HDD has died. However, the confusion with this explanation is how it even manages to boot to 'Windows Advanced Options Menu'. I am not entirely familiar with the Windows boot sequence but I'd have thought that the MBR must be intact and drive operational for it to have booted to the options menu.
My other explanation was a virus, but the fact that 'Windows Vista Recovery' does not even find the installation and cannot create/fix the MBR confuses me.
I'm stumped! I appreciate that it'll be a push to expect any assistance with such a wishy-washy description of the problem but anything that gives me something to Google could be useful. If I'm unable to help remotely they'll have no choice but to take it to a PC repair shop which I'd rather avoid. I sincerely hope that it is possible to recover the computer and HDD as it contains some particularly precious images (that, I agree, should really have been backed up!).
Sorry for the ramble!
