Vista will not start up.

[Slumdog]

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING works, not even F:\.

 

What I really do not understand is how I can get to my desktop quite quickly if there is such huge problems with it.

Can anyone explain that?

[Slumdog]

Ok, I am now typing this from my laptop with the faulty hard=drive. Yes, it is working again.

I changed the boot order back to how it was and, after a disk check, it started up albeit very slowly.

 

Any checks you would like me to do now?

[Slumdog]

I am trying to do a emergency back up now in case I lose the lot, but all I keep getting is cannot back up C:disk is damaged.

 

Any help?

[RandyL]

I don't think any disks checks are needed. The drive is almost dead. It has all the signs.

 

Are you trying to do an image backup such as the Windows Backup? If so forget it. If you have bad sectors on the drive and corrupt files you would just be backing up a corrupt system. I suspect the backup you are doing can't find missing and needed files.

 

Do what you can to manually backup individual files such as documents, music, pictures, movies, contacts etc. Also you may want to export favorites and calendars if you use them.

 

Do not turn off the computer until you do. It may never start again until the drive is replaced.

[Slumdog]

Can someone then please recommend which drive to buy to replace the one that is working but is broken? Thankyou.

[RandyL]

Slumdog please slow down a bit.

 

What backup method failed?

Have you managed to backup anything manually as I suggested?

Do you have the Dell recovery disks and not just the drivers and software disks?

Did you ever make a system image to an external drive when things worked right?

 

Any 2.5 inch drive will work.

 

However you will need a way to reinstall Windows.

 

Do you have the Dell recovery disks and not just the drivers and software disks?

Did you ever make a system image to an external drive when things worked right?

If so how? If it was the Windows backup image did you also create the system repair disc as you will also need that?

 

All these questions are important as there will be no operating system or data on a new drive. Without a way to put an operating system on a drive it's just a paper weight. All your old files may be gone too unless you have a system image and a way to use it.

 

As for replacing the 2.5 inch drive on a laptop it might or might not be difficult.

[Slumdog]

Hi Randy, I am in a hurry because I cannot stand using this temporary laptop I am using now. It is far too slow for my work needs and lost me a lot of money yesterday.

 

The discs I have are listed in #3.

 

The back up method that failed was the one that says "back upcomputer" on Windows.

My photos are backed up and that is all I really care about.

The system image, if that is "back up computer" has now been deleted when I tried to "back up computer" again. So now my portable hard drive is blank and obviously it will not let me re-back jt up.

 

As stated, there is a Window Vista OS disc.

 

There are no recovery discs.

 

What else could be backed up manually? As I said, I have my photos on a usb stick.

 

Thank you and sorry for my impatience but it seems like I was going round in circles.

[RandyL]

Since you have the Vista disk you can reinstall everything on a new 2.5 inch drive which is great.

 

Post #29 I listed a few of the normal things some people backup.

 

I sure hope things work better with the new drive.

[Slumdog]

So are you saying there is no way to copy/back up how the laptop is set up at the moment? Or do I have to start again from scratch?

[RandyL]

Not unless you made a system image from back before you had problems. If you did a Windows backup before your drive had issues you could use that. Making a backup now would only make an image of a corrupt drive. But of course you can't do that now anyway.

[Slumdog]

What is the point of a restore point then, last known good .........?. or whatever it is called?

 

*"But of course you can't do that now anyway." *

 

As I said, it is working to a certain extent at the moment.

 

Why am I sensing animosity?

Edited September 25, 2014 by Slumdog

[RandyL]

There's no animosity. I really do feel your frustration. I would feel frustrated too if I were in your position.

 

The problem is the drive is failing. It will have bad sectors which means critical operating system files will be corrupted or missing altogether. If that is the case then there will be no last known good configuration or a good point to restore to. Sometimes a repair may fix the operating system enough to get it to boot but with a failing drive that is creating more bad sectors almost instantly the fix is very temporary.

 

Even if you could get the Windows backup to run you would just be making an incomplete or corrupt image. I doubt you would want to image the problems to a new drive and have issues arise.

 

I'm really just suggesting that a clean install on a new drive is not only probably best but probably your only option. I know it's a long proccess to get everything back to full speed but I doubt there is anything else you can do.

 

I would backup what you can. Reinstall Windows on a new drive. Reinstall everything else. Get all the Windows updates. Customize your settings and such. After everything is as you like it then make an image with Windows backup or similar programs. Then you will have a backup of a perfect system should you ever need it in the future.

 

I know it's a lot of work. I hate doing it too but sometimes it is the only way. Good luck.

[KenB]

Why am I sensing animosity?

I don't read any animosity in this thread.

 

I can reiterate what Randy has said in his recent posts.

Your hard drive has a problem - that has been established.

You also state ( post #32 ) that you cannot backup the system .........so Randy was simply stating the obvious.

 

So are you saying there is no way to copy/back up how the laptop is set up at the moment? Or do I have to start again from scratch?

If you did manage to create an image of the disk .....as Randy rightly says ....if you create an image now all you would be doing is creating an image with the same problems that you are having at the moment.

We can point you in the direction of creating an image if you wish to do this to try it.

 

What is the point of a restore point then, last known good .........?. or whatever it is called?

A restore point is not a complete copy of the Operating System.

It is simply a copy of the registry settings at a specific time.

 

Last Known Good Configuration is also linked with Registry settings.

It is useful if, for instance, a driver has been corrupted or if new hardware conflicts with existing hardware.

 

Neither will re-install a complete operating system.

 

I read that you have the Vista installation disk.

If this is the case then as Randy rightly points out - you can use this to reinstall Vista onto a new hard drive.

 

If you have partial use of the operating system I would make sure that there is nothing on the drive that you need.

One of the things that people forget to backup is email addresses.

 

I know that it is frustrating and you simply want your system up and running again.

All we can do is express an opinion based on the facts as we see them.

[Slumdog]

Ok thank you both for a more complete answer.

 

Ken, you mentioned losing email addresses, are they not stored in, in my case, yahoo.

[KenB]

Ken, you mentioned losing email addresses, are they not stored in, in my case, yahoo.

Yes if this is what you are using :)

 

Where do you wish to go from here ?

 

In post 3 you mention an Operating System disk.

What exactly does this have written on it?

 

error codes 0F00:0132 and 0F00:0232.

You referred to these codes earlier.

Normally there is an added line of explanation ........ Interrupt request - IRQ - didnt set on time ............or similar.

Either way - this indicates a failing drive.

[Slumdog]

I cannot remember what else it said with the codes, it seems an eternity ago.

 

The disc says OPERATING SYSTEM.

ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER.

Reinstallation DVD Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT SP1.

(This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.).

 

 

I have no idea what hard drive to buy. Do they effect running speed etc? I use the laptop for a lot of sports streaming.

 

And what would damage the drive in the first place? It isn't that old.

Thanks for any answers you can give me.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Slumdog

[RandyL]

And what would damage the drive in the first place? It isn't that old.

All hard drives fail sooner or later. I've even seen a desktop 3.5 inch drive fail in 6 months.

 

Laptop drives usually don't last as long. I've heard but can't verify that 3-5 years is the average. Obviously it would depend on how often you use it. Besides dropping the laptop heat is a big killer of drives. So laptop drives probably fail faster because they can get hotter than desktops. You should only use a laptop on a hard surface. Soft surfaces, even a hard unventilated rubber surface, will not let heat dissipate. I use a laptop stand. Not only is the surface perforated for ventillation it has a built in fan that runs on the laptop power via usb.

 

Even if you do all the right things any drive can fail at any time. They can even be defective right out of the box. I've replaced a lot of drives on other peoples computers but have been lucky myself so far. Unfortunately my laptop LCD, LED lit screen failed. I suspect it was dropped due to cracking on the corner of the screen enclosure. Darn kids. So it's external monitor for me.

 

I have no idea what hard drive to buy. Do they effect running speed etc? I use the laptop for a lot of sports streaming.

I can't really answer this. All I know is you need a SATA 2.5 inch drive. I don't know if it matters what the other dimensions are. I usually buy Western Digital but that's just my preference. The price and availability where I live is a factor. I have had good luck but others may disagree.

[KenB]

I have no idea what hard driveto buy. Do they effect running speed etc?

Hi,

To some extent they do.

Basically there are 2 speeds for disk drives ( in revs per minute )

The slower ones run at 5400 r/m and the faster ones run at 7200 r/m

 

If you are getting a hard drive then opt for the 7200 r/m

 

All 2.5 inch drives of the same type will be compatible.

There are two variables regarding connections. The newer drives are SATA and the older ones are IDE.

If you are unsure check here - click here

 

There are various manufacturers:

Western Digital ; Samsung ; Seagate ; Toshiba ; Hitachi ; Fujitsu

 

Any of the above would be OK - they all have good reputations.

 

The size of the hard drives is a variable too. ( not physical - storage size )

You will need at least the same, if not larger, capacity as the one you have at the moment.

320 or 500 GB would be more than ample - unless you store lots of videos etc

 

The disc says OPERATING SYSTEM.

ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER.

Reinstallation DVD Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT SP1.

(This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.).

 

This disk is fine for re-installing.

You will need the 25 character Product Code off the sticker on the base of the machine too.

 

Just a further note:

If you do re-install then obviously you will need to re-install any programs / software that you need.

It is not possible to transfer these from the failing drive ( or even a good drive ) - you need the installation disks or will need to download the software again.

[Slumdog]

Thanks for the help. Ordered the new hard drive and I'll see how it goes.

[KenB]

Let us know how you get on :)

[Slumdog]

One other question, I know the fan needs looking at but does an old, worn out battery affect anything in any way if I only ever use the laptop with mains power?

[Plastic Nev]

Providing the old battery still holds some charge, even if it lasts only a few minutes it won't be a problem. My old second hand Acer laptop, the battery is going on that and it will only last 30 minutes at best on just the battery, but still perfectly OK on mains power.

 

Nev.

[Slumdog]

Thanks, it lasts less than 10 mins. I always use laptop plugged in now so at least I won't have to buy a new battery!!

[KenB]

I always use laptop plugged in now

I have an old Vista machine that I have to do the same with :)

[Slumdog]

Ok, hard drive arrived and I have inserted it, two of the four screws will not find their location to tighten up; but the drive is securely in place.

 

I have started the laptop the disk starts but all I get is a black, unlit screen. All of the guides I have read state that there should be instructions etc on the screen.....I have nothing. Any ideas guys? :-(