qwarrior Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I had this problem with a USB hard disk plugged in. Try unplugging any USB devices when you boot and plug them back in once you are logged in. Also, what was the outcome of the chkdsk you ran? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 What happens if you hit CTRL-Alt-Del when it is in this state? I have an incling that I had this happen a few years back. Explorer wasn't starting for some reason. CTRL-ALT-DEL brought up the task manager. If it comes up, simply click "File" then "Run" and type in "explorer". Might get you up and running again temporarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 I had this problem with a USB hard disk plugged in. Try unplugging any USB devices when you boot and plug them back in once you are logged in. Also, what was the outcome of the chkdsk you ran? Just tried that still no joy. After the chkdsk it said one or more repairs were made or words to that effect. What happens if you hit CTRL-Alt-Del when it is in this state? I have an incling that I had this happen a few years back. Explorer wasn't starting for some reason. CTRL-ALT-DEL brought up the task manager. If it comes up, simply click "File" then "Run" and type in "explorer". Might get you up and running again temporarily. Just tried this still nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Did ctrl-alt-del bring up the task manager though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Did ctrl-alt-del bring up the task manager though? Unfortunately no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Is there stuff on the PC you need to retrieve or backup? Or are you just wanting to try and fix it so that it is working again? Usually when something like this happens I would recommend a re-format regardless of whether you get it working or not. If you need to back stuff up or get access to stuff it is a piece of piss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Is there stuff on the PC you need to retrieve or backup? Or are you just wanting to try and fix it so that it is working again? Usually when something like this happens I would recommend a re-format regardless of whether you get it working or not. If you need to back stuff up or get access to stuff it is a piece of piss. I was hoping I was going to be able to just repair it so I didn’t have to go about reinstalling and then spend days updating, installing programs and the updating the installed programs. Do you think this is my best option now? I have just got back from a mates and he’s retrieved a lot of my data from the hard disk. I think I have most of it but something’s telling me I’ve forgotten something. I bet I remember as soon as I hit the no going back after this button. Now how much is an imac?.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I was hoping I was going to be able to just repair it so I didn’t have to go about reinstalling and then spend days updating, installing programs and the updating the installed programs. Do you think this is my best option now? I have just got back from a mates and he’s retrieved a lot of my data from the hard disk. I think I have most of it but something’s telling me I’ve forgotten something. I bet I remember as soon as I hit the no going back after this button. Now how much is an imac?.......... The hair removal cream? Pretty expensive for what it is. Think it's called Veet now. I would think about Windows 7 if I were you. The system restore options are on the DVD when you boot up so if you have any issues, similar to what you have now, you can easily access it and repair your PC. Even if you got it working again you would be constantly worried about it happening again. Personally, I would go with a full reformat. First of all I would install windows again so that I could go through all the files and folders to see if I missed anything. Once I was 100% I would then completely blitz the system. I don't think you can do that from a hidden partition though. You would need to do that via a Windows XP installation CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Cheers bud think I’ll have to go with that. As you may have guessed I’m no expert on this so just need to clear a few things up first. Are you saying if I do a re-format from a windows xp cd my data will still be there? To perform the re-install do I just select ‘install a fresh copy of windows without repair’ option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Are you saying if I do a re-format from a windows xp cd my data will still be there? To perform the re-install do I just select ‘install a fresh copy of windows without repair’ option? As Scott says, a re-format is a good fail-safe option. It definitely will delete all of your data though. That's what makes it so thorough: everything gets wiped, so you know there's no nasty software on your PC (because there's no software at all on your PC, full stop. ) Yes, install a fresh copy without repair. The XP installation process will let you re-format the disk in the early stages. It doesn't matter too much whether you choose a quick format or a full format: I'd do full for peace of mind if you've got an hour to spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Cheers bud think I’ll have to go with that. As you may have guessed I’m no expert on this so just need to clear a few things up first. Are you saying if I do a re-format from a windows xp cd my data will still be there? To perform the re-install do I just select ‘install a fresh copy of windows without repair’ option? You can install a fresh copy of windows without formatting any of your drives. This is what I normally do if I want to access all the files easily. All it does is move your current version of windows to a new folder... say windows_old. It does the same with your user folders and your program files IIRC. During the installation of windows simply don't format anything and it will do this for you. Once you are happy that you have everything I would format the lot though. If you only have 1HDD I would suggest creating 2 partitions (during the inital format you can delete and create partitions, this removes all your data also so don't do it the first time). That way, in the future, you can put everything you want to keep into say the "D" drive, and just use the "C" drive for windows etc. When it all goes pete tong its the "C" drive that gets wiped, everything in the "D" drive stays as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Cheers guys I'll do just that you've all been very helpfull. I owe you all a beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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