BSOD, can't access safe mode

[prrivera07]

ok so i tried knoppix and all i get is a black screen, i let it sit for 2 hours and nothing.

ubuntu loads but all i get is a black screen with a white ubuntu symbol in the middle.
idk if i'm doing something wrong, but i really want to save my files on my hard drive.

 

[LookinAround]

@Broni, Archaen... I solicit your input/experience as well..

@prrivera07
I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Typically, the Knoppix or Ubuntu boot process is pretty straightforward. But as Knoppix/Ubuntu isn't working for you and since even chkdsk is failing on your hard drive, i think the next best step is capturing an image of your hard drive (to preserve whatever is still there) before attempting any data recovery tools

My own recommendation is invest $50 bucks in Acronis True Image. You can use it now to create a backup image of your bad HD but also use it in the future to backup all your computers.

You'll need an Acronis Rescue CD to boot up your problem computer. You can either
> But retail box Acronis True Image and use the CD in the box or
> Get Acronis online. Download and run it on your good computer. Click on the Acronis menu to Build a Rescue CD.

When you run Acronis the Acronis backup I'd select backup the entire disk (i.e. this will image all the partitions on the disk) and (VERY IMPORTANT) be sure to check the sector by sector backup option for the backup.

 

[prrivera07]

and what exactly does acronis do?
it'll make a copy of my hard drive, and i'll still have all my files?

btw. thanks for all the help guys. i appreciate it.

 

[LookinAround]

Unfortunately there's no guarantee of just what's still on your hard drive right now (your files may still be there or perhaps just some. no way to tell right now)

But Acronis sector-by-sector backup will at least guarantee an exact snapshot backup of whatever is still on your drive right now. So in case your hard drive is failing or a data recovery attempt (which will also write to your HD) makes things worse, at least you know you can always restore back to the point in time you created the Acronis image backup.

 

[LookinAround]

Forgive the double post but is most important you look for and check the Acronis Sector by Sector backup option with acronis as you MUSt do sector-by-sector in order to capture the exact image backup. (Acronis will step you through a few screens. Sector by sector is towards the bottom of one of the screens)

 

[prrivera07]

ok i haven't had much luck with knoppix or ubuntu.

i was wondering if there was another way to use a bootable cd to copy the contents of my drive to my external drive, and just do a fresh install of windows

 

[Archean]

Have you tried using that bootable image I asked you to try as well? I have recovered disk's using either PW or TestDisk in recent times. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find an bootable ISO of testdisk :/

 

[prrivera07]

i've tried partition wizard but it says that my c drive can only be copied to an unallocated? drive.

 

[Archean]

I am assuming you are trying to run Partition Recovery ...... if that is not working and you can see the partition try to initialize / rebuild MBR.

 

[LookinAround]

HI Archaen

If need be, a copy of TestDisk can be found on the Gparted Live boot CD
> During bootup, keep hitting enter for all the startup defaults
> Once Gparted starts hit the Terminal icon at top of window
> When the terminal window opens enter TestDisk

@prrivera07
I know how important your files are to you and I hope they can all be recovered successfully. In the future, of course, backup your files/folders. For now, create that backup image of your hard drive to preserve whatever the current state of your hard drive disk image (whatever that might be)

 

[prrivera07]

ok, after trying many different methods and none being successful

i just formatted my hard drive and re-installed windows.

but now my system is running so slow, its almost unusable.
i'm not sure if this came from installing windows again, or what.

 

[prrivera07]

ok, so i went ahead and reformatted my drive.
what i didn't know what that the disc i was using was different than what was previously installed on my computer.

i was running xp home,
and the new one is xp media center edition.

its going so slow its unusable, is there any tips or anyway i can get the xp home installation disc???

 

[Archean]

If you have legal key of your previous xp home installation; you can use any xp home installation disk and use it.

Also; if there is nothing of importance in that harddrive; remove partition when you are re-installing, and make new one, then format it, and proceed with installation.