help! Serious problem loading windows

[Bob_the_lost]

Ok, to boot from another computer over a network is possible but i don't know how off the top of my head.

Easiest way would be to use bit torrent to download an illicit copy of XP, burn it onto a CD and run the repair function. I'll do a bit of reading on booting over a network and see if it's practical.

 

[Louloubelle]

Ok, to boot from another computer over a network is possible but i don't know how off the top of my head.

Easiest way would be to use bit torrent to download an illicit copy of XP, burn it onto a CD and run the repair function. I'll do a bit of reading on booting over a network and see if it's practical.

thanks so much! really appreciated

 

[Jonti]

Good to see that BtL's turned up and is on the case

I don't like using pirated software, but for these purposes I'd make an exception

out of interest why would a cracked version work where a legit version would not?

Because first you make the software; then you add some extra stuff to stop people using it unless they first do what you want. That extra code has a habit of getting in the way and making things harder to use (as you are painfully discovering). So remove it and, voila, usability is radically improved.

But back on topic, do you have access to any of the following
a) another machine you can use
b) a USB stick
c) any functionality at all in the kyboshed kit
d) a liveCD

Also, whereabouts (roughly) are you?

 

[Bob_the_lost]

Does your friend have an XP cd or is willing to download a copy or should i keep looking for another answer?

The XP installation is pretty big, some later versions ommit the repair function for including more options. That is why your other CD didn't work, it've never seen it in illegit copies. (I have legit codes but can't be arsed to hunt down the legit cd that matches, morally i'm fine )

 

[Louloubelle]

Good to see that BtL's turned up and is on the case

Because first you make the software; then you add some extra stuff to stop people using it unless they first do what you want. That extra code has a habit of getting in the way and making things harder to use (as you are painfully discovering). So remove it and, voila, usability is radically improved.

But back on topic, do you have access to any of the following
a) another machine you can use
b) a USB stick
c) any functionality at all in the kyboshed kit
d) a liveCD

Also, whereabouts (roughly) are you?

a) no - apart from my friend's laptop - just called her and no answer - she could be asleep as she has ME
b) yes, I have a few memory sticks
c) sorry don't understand
d) I don't know what you mean by live CD

I'm in Camden Town

 

[Jonti]

What machine are you using to post here?

 

[Louloubelle]

my own pc which is in safe mode

 

[Louloubelle]

Does your friend have an XP cd or is willing to download a copy or should i keep looking for another answer?

The XP installation is pretty big, some later versions ommit the repair function for including more options. That is why your other CD didn't work, it've never seen it in illegit copies. (I have legit codes but can't be arsed to hunt down the legit cd that matches, morally i'm fine )

arghh!

Just lost a long reply

She might have. last night she found what she thinks is a cracked xp disc (not sure what version) but it had no writing on it and she was tired so she couldn't be sure

Out of interest how risky is if to download XP?

Also how big is it?

I'm asking as I got into this whole mess because I didn't have enough space to defrag and I deleted some old programs I didn't regonise that hadn't been used for years, but I now think that they were something to do with the sound card or grafix card, I have done a system restore, but my PC hard drive is very full

 

[Jonti]

OK, thanks for that, please bear with me, I'm the sort who asks lots of questions before trying to fix stuff, the better to understand the whole situation.

What can't you do in safemode? That is, what prevents you from using the machine in safe-mode to meet those looming deadlines?

 

[Jonti]

@ BtL
I can help with a generic, keyfree, XP SP3 CD.

 

[Louloubelle]

OK, thanks for that, please bear with me, I'm the sort who asks lots of questions before trying to fix stuff, the better to understand the whole situation.

What can't you do in safemode? That is, what prevents you from using the machine in safe-mode to meet those looming deadlines?

I just sent you a PM re this

 

[Bob_the_lost]

Out of interest how risky is if to download XP?

Also how big is it?

Not very, if you're using bit torrent you should make sure you're using encryption but even if you don't you're not going to get in trouble over it.

Probably the full 700 meg, so not small.

 

[Jonti]

OK, got that.

Sounds as if all the data is safe, and the best bet to meet the deadlines might be to use another windows machine, ideally one that doesn't pop-up "Windows Genuine Advantage" notices.

 

[Louloubelle]

Not very, if you're using bit torrent you should make sure you're using encryption but even if you don't you're not going to get in trouble over it.

Probably the full 700 meg, so not small.

I have never used bit torrent, always too worried about viruses and I pay for my music downloads (well except the occasional DJ mix)

How do I get started and how do I use encryption?

 

[Jonti]

Can one not use Word and Excel and the rest in Safe Mode? Genuine question!

If LLB can read and write her files even in safe mode, the deadlines can be met OK. Then the general borkiness can be dealt with at leisure.

Just asking.

 

[Louloubelle]

OK, got that.

Sounds as if all the data is safe, and the best bet to meet the deadlines might be to use another windows machine, ideally one that doesn't pop-up "Windows Genuine Advantage" notices.

yes

but I don't have another windows machine here

 

[Louloubelle]

Can one not use Word and Excel and the rest in Safe Mode? Genuine question!

If LLB can read and write her files even in safe mode, the deadlines can be met OK. Then the general borkiness can be dealt with at leisure.

Just asking.

100s of screenshots all in a grafix format that I need full functioning access to my PC to convert to jpegs so they can be visible when people come to my meeting

 

[Jonti]

hmmm not that much in these days of gigabyte drives but I've never heard of the grafix file format.

Are you using Photoshop for this work?

 

[Louloubelle]

OK, situation is now vastly improved as I can sort out the image files OK

I need ideally to access my old outlook express messages but this is not the most important thing

I really need to fix my PC but I'll just carry on in safe mode until after thursday

thanks again

 

[Jonti]

As I understand it, "The basic idea [of Safe Mode] is to allow the user (or technical support worker) access to the windows interface without loading any unnecessary drivers or software.

"The thinking is that if device drivers or auto loading software (broswer hijackers for example) are causing problems with your Windows installation, the easiest way to fix things is to load a version of Windows that bypasses all but the most basic drivers and will not run any additional software. Windows XP safe mode provides you with a basic graphics driver (enough to display the user interface), access to your drives and windows configuration, and very little else." source

You won't be able to drive fancy peripherals (say projectors or scanners and stuff, maybe not even your printer). But you should be alright to do the necessary work OK.

 

[Jonti]

Ahh, cross posted there I see.

Windows licensing can be a massive headache. If your version does not allow you to repair, but only to reinstall, that is outrageous. All the same, in your position I'd be very cautious about throwing away a legitimate copy of Windows and replacing it with a snide version (for one, that could make security updates problematic).

Equally, I guess, you don't want to have to reinstall *everything*, the operating system, all your programs and all your data.

So now the immediate pressure is off, let's see if BtL can figure out how (if!) one can get to repair the system before taking precipitous action!

 

[Bob_the_lost]

Outlook Express you can pull off the HD, it'll be in a .dbx file. To read it you'll need another copy of express or a 3rd party program to read it.

 

[Bob_the_lost]

Repair i'm pretty much stumped on, you've two paths: XP repair function or linux live cd and hope that'll do the trick.

 

[Jonti]

Yeah, once the panic is over, do get yourself a liveCD ...

...

Longer term, it would probably be a Good Idea to get yourself a liveCD and practice with it a little. Should windows ever get its knickers in a twist again you'll still be able to boot off the liveCD and use your kit (even to read, process and rewrite your windows files!)

Those nice people at Ubuntu's Shippit will even post you a liveCD for nothing. Or they can be bought very cheaply from somewhere like linux emporium (you'll want the version described as Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Live/Install CD).

Having a liveCD handy can be a real show saver to keep you going on those occasions when windows croaks!

 

[Louloubelle]

Yeah, once the panic is over, do get yourself a liveCD ...

The live cd takes weeks to arrive

worth downloading?

 

[Louloubelle]

argh!
Just seemed to have a problem with my keyboard, now sorted

My question is, if I download the CD will I be able to

a) burn it in safe mode
b) fix my PC with it?

thanks so much

*continues biting nails*

Also I cannot use photoshop in safe mode so it's essential that I get this thing fixed soon

also can I buy a live CD from a shop?

 

[Louloubelle]

also I got the CD from my friend, it has win0xp on the cover, inside it has a file just marked I386 and inside that it has lots of files

I clicked on properties and it's attributes are read only

it was created in nov 2002

5,391 files

316mb

not looking like XP is it?
is there any way I can tell?

 

[Jonti]

No, that's not looking like XP.

The linuxemporium folks will post a liveCD PDQ, you'll have to pay a few quid, is all.

I cannot use photoshop in safe mode

That's a drag

PM me your address and I'll put a live CD in the post first class. You'll get it tomorrow morning, with a bit of luck (if that's not quick enough, do say so in your PM -- a bicycle courier is not out of the question )

 

[Jonti]

A liveCD will not itself fix your PC, no.

What it will it will give you all the software you need to carry on with your work, for free, just by booting your system from the liveCD.

 

[Jonti]

LLB, did you manage to establish the license number of the XP Home Edition that is on the 'puter?