a weird problem with my laptop...please help

[new]

hmm for some reason that created another alternate windows xp, if that makes sense...

 

like i have two windows xp pro to choose from when logging in

 

i might try that UBCD4W method now.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Right click on My Computer then choose Properties New ok.

Hit the Advanced Tab then the Startup and Recovery box at the bottom.

In the Edit box on System Startup, copy and paste what it says, it should look something like this;

 

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

[new]

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

 

btw windows.0 was the one it created. and the other is the normal one

 

is there a way to get rid of that windows.0? because its kinda annoying when the laptop boots up

[new]

think u help me solve the problem wolfeymole?

 

im about on the verge of giving up

 

i trying the UBCD4W and my other comp is not recognising the win cd disc

 

i have a last resort idea in mind:

use the xp cd to do the repair thing on the normal windows, because i did it on the other one.

 

but if i do it i wanna make sure it doesnt get rid of any data. cause on the alternate one it was a different desktop and didnt have all the same installed programs although the same free disc space on the hard drive.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Delete these lines in the boot.ini file.

 

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0

 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

 

Make sure these are the ONLY lines you delete then reboot.

[new]

ok done.

 

so if i repair windows on the normal xp, will my files and stuff be deleted?

[AdvancedSetup]

No, it won't overwrite data (except it's own files) that are currently there, it will use UNUSED areas of the hard drive for files of it's own that are missing, and update those that don't match the CD versions. Then once the system is running you'll need to go get all the Windows updates again.

[new]

hey umm the repair didnt work.. when i boot it up normally it just shows the wallpaper after i log in.

 

i can only see the desktop icons in safe mode, but it just flashes then disappears.

 

what do u think i should do now?

[Seth]

Boot up with the XP CD again, but this time choose "R" at the first screen to enter the Recovery Console.

 

Choose the Window's option if prompted, and just press enter if you get asked for an administrator password. At the command prompt, type in chkdsk /r (space between the K and the R) and press enter. That will run hard drive error checking.

 

When complete, type EXIT and remove the cd as the laptop restarts.

[new]

isnt that similar to repairing?

 

never mind ill try it now and let you know how it goes

[new]

ok i tried that but now we're pretty much back at square one. (same problem at the start)

 

which is it loads the icons then flashes and disappears and appears a few secs later.

 

so i dont think repairing the hard drive solved any problems. maybe its some other problem?

 

i guess ill prob take it to a professional or a comp shop or something.

 

THANKS FOR THE HELP EVERYONE. appreciate it

[maynardvdm]

If all else fails then your only option really is to re-install windows and that means you LOSE all the data. Cant you save all the files you need to a CD/DVD and do have you all the disks for all the programs you are using. If you got all the disks for the programs and u can copy all your files that you want to a CD or DVD or flashdrive and then reinstall windows. But i'd also just wait until you hear what the admin and mods have to say about this idea.

 

Good luck

[Seth]

The repair install should have worked.

 

Given your specific situation, I suggest you bring it to a shop, but get them to read this thread before doing any work.

 

The above doesn't apply if you don't need anything backed up, as we can guide you through re-installing XP.

[new]

i cant exactly put anything on a cd or dvd, and i dont wanna have to reformat.

 

so should i tell the shop that i already tried repairing it or sumthing

[AdvancedSetup]

Any competent shop should be able to handle the issue for you without a problem.

 

Just make sure you specifically let them know that there is data on the drive and you NEED it back, DO NOT do anything that will delete or overwrite that data.

 

Documents, e-mails, pictures, Favorites, etc... that you have to get back and if they can't do it then I'd look for another shop.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

New

 

All explanations given so far should have you back up and running.

 

You said earlier that you;

use the xp cd to do the repair thing on the normal windows, because i did it on the other one.

and

cause on the alternate one it was a different desktop

Can I just ask, have you tried to use a single XP disk to install to two machines?

 

Can I also ask why you "Don't really wanna reformat"

Your going nowhere fast at the moment New.

 

Say nothing to the computer shop as they may view your comments and think you are not the sharpest knife in the drawer, which is of course untrue.

[Seth]

New,

 

If you want proper service at a fair price, then print out this thread and get a tech at a computer shop to read it. If he's a competent tech, he'll know exactly what needs to be done.

 

Keep us updated please.

[Seth]

Continued from above.

 

Depending on what cd's you have, or if you have a hidden Recovery Partition, you may only need the backup and can easily do the recovery yourself.

 

Do you have "Recovery" cd's for the lappy?

 

To find out if you have a recovery partition on the hard drive, we would need to know the model number of the Acer.

[new]

i dont wanna reformat because then i would lose all my data

 

umm which one is the model number, cause i think i might have said it on the first post.

[maynardvdm]

Acer normally partition the harddrive with 3 partitions, one for windows one for storage and a hidden recovery partion, witch you use when doing a system recover using alt+f10 at startup

This restores it to factory default. It normally wipes everything of the c: keeping everything on D: . I have done this with my acer (though not same model). I copied everything i needed to D: and then reinstalled windows, You will then need to reinstall any other programs aswell. This is usefull if you have all the disks for the programs you are running.

[new]

im not sure about how many partions there are thats the thing. and i think my stuff is all on D: and i dont have the programs on disks most of them were on the laptop's hdd.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

Go to this page and download the one that says windows xp emergency boot disk.

Burn it to a cd/dvd. this will allow you to boot from this disk.

Also look at this website.

actually look at the bottom site first before trying the boot cd.

[AdvancedSetup]

Hi maynardvdm,

 

Please review the entire thread. We have already been through all of this.

 

At this point it would appear he needs to take the computer to a shop to have them repair it and recover his data for him.