An Article ID: 946532 problem

I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in Afghanistan at
the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is that I
have the problem noted in the article below:
Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the
system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen

But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the command
prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external drive.

Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and replacing
whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all my files
before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?

Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this that
could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see the SP1
fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it before this
happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions online
where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't waited, then
I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!

Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to be able
to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs, because I
loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading out here.
All my family photos, programs, etc...

You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to recover the
data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a new
drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a desktop with
two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
versatile.
Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup option
like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx

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Mark L. Ferguson
..

"montellano" <> wrote in message
news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in Afghanistan
> at
> the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is that I
> have the problem noted in the article below:
> Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the
> system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
>
> But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the command
> prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external drive.
>
> Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and replacing
> whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all my
> files
> before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
>
> Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this that
> could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see the SP1
> fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it before
> this
> happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> online
> where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't waited,
> then
> I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
>
> Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to be
> able
> to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> because I
> loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading out
> here.
> All my family photos, programs, etc...

OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not mention that
in the article.

I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the HP
total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it uses
CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also ordered a
USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it out
through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would really
like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if there is a
way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly for my
off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with work.

"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to recover the
> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a new
> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a desktop with
> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> versatile.
> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup option
> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
>
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in Afghanistan
> > at
> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is that I
> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the
> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >
> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the command
> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external drive.
> >
> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and replacing
> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all my
> > files
> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >
> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this that
> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see the SP1
> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it before
> > this
> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> > online
> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't waited,
> > then
> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >
> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to be
> > able
> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> > because I
> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading out
> > here.
> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
>

If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS partition
should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for you.
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
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Mark L. Ferguson
..

"montellano" <> wrote in message
news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not mention
> that
> in the article.
>
> I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the HP
> total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> uses
> CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also ordered a
> USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> out
> through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> really
> like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if there
> is a
> way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly for
> my
> off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> work.
>
> "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
>
>> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to recover
>> the
>> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a new
>> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a desktop
>> with
>> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
>> versatile.
>> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup option
>> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
>> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
>> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
>>
>> --
>> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
>> interface.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
>> Mark L. Ferguson
>> .
>>
>> "montellano" <> wrote in message
>> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
>> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
>> > Afghanistan
>> > at
>> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is that
>> > I
>> > have the problem noted in the article below:
>> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the
>> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
>> >
>> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the command
>> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external drive.
>> >
>> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and replacing
>> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all my
>> > files
>> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
>> >
>> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
>> > that
>> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see the
>> > SP1
>> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
>> > before
>> > this
>> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
>> > online
>> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
>> > waited,
>> > then
>> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
>> >
>> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to be
>> > able
>> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
>> > because I
>> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading out
>> > here.
>> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
>>

Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if that
is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E drives.



"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS partition
> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for you.
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> ..
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not mention
> > that
> > in the article.
> >
> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the HP
> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> > uses
> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also ordered a
> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> > out
> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> > really
> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if there
> > is a
> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly for
> > my
> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> > work.
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to recover
> >> the
> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a new
> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a desktop
> >> with
> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> >> versatile.
> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup option
> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
> >>
> >> --
> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> .
> >>
> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
> >> > Afghanistan
> >> > at
> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is that
> >> > I
> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer, the
> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >> >
> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the command
> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external drive.
> >> >
> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and replacing
> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all my
> >> > files
> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >> >
> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
> >> > that
> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see the
> >> > SP1
> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
> >> > before
> >> > this
> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> >> > online
> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
> >> > waited,
> >> > then
> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >> >
> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to be
> >> > able
> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> >> > because I
> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading out
> >> > here.
> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
> >>
>

From a Command Prompt, you have the chance to run the command:
CHKDSK /R
to see if you can recover the boot up options. Press F8 during the start
after the chkdsk to see if a "Last known good configuration' start up will
work.
There is also a possibility the BootRec might recover it.
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
Mark L. Ferguson
..

"montellano" <> wrote in message
news:7D196CA7-8CF2-478C-88D6-...
> Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
> able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
> specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
> thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if
> that
> is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E
> drives.
>
>
>
> "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
>
>> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
>> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS
>> partition
>> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for
>> you.
>> --
>> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
>> interface.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
>> Mark L. Ferguson
>> ..
>>
>> "montellano" <> wrote in message
>> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
>> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not
>> > mention
>> > that
>> > in the article.
>> >
>> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the
>> > HP
>> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
>> > uses
>> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also
>> > ordered a
>> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
>> > out
>> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
>> > really
>> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if
>> > there
>> > is a
>> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly
>> > for
>> > my
>> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
>> > work.
>> >
>> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
>> >
>> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to
>> >> recover
>> >> the
>> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a
>> >> new
>> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a
>> >> desktop
>> >> with
>> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
>> >> versatile.
>> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup
>> >> option
>> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
>> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
>> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
>> >> interface.
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
>> >> Mark L. Ferguson
>> >> .
>> >>
>> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
>> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
>> >> > Afghanistan
>> >> > at
>> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is
>> >> > that
>> >> > I
>> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
>> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer,
>> >> > the
>> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
>> >> >
>> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the
>> >> > command
>> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external
>> >> > drive.
>> >> >
>> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and
>> >> > replacing
>> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all
>> >> > my
>> >> > files
>> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
>> >> >
>> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
>> >> > that
>> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see
>> >> > the
>> >> > SP1
>> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
>> >> > before
>> >> > this
>> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
>> >> > online
>> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
>> >> > waited,
>> >> > then
>> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
>> >> >
>> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to
>> >> > be
>> >> > able
>> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
>> >> > because I
>> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading
>> >> > out
>> >> > here.
>> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
>> >>
>>

OK, This is an area I know nothing about, and I do not want to screw it up
any more than it is, so let me take this slow. One thing I did not mention
so far is that this problem started after I restarted my computer to install
un update to Itunes. I did not think that was important but wanted to throw
it out there. On that first restart, something went wrong, the little green
scrolling microsoft bars would only start their first swipe and hang at the
end, and that was when the startup repair come on automatically. I selected
it, it ran through it's deal and now I get the blank screen with only a mouse
cursor on it.

I just tried bootrec.exe ran it with the ScanOs switch and it came back with
total identified windows installations: 0

That doesn't sound good.


"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> From a Command Prompt, you have the chance to run the command:
> CHKDSK /R
> to see if you can recover the boot up options. Press F8 during the start
> after the chkdsk to see if a "Last known good configuration' start up will
> work.
> There is also a possibility the BootRec might recover it.
> How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
> troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:7D196CA7-8CF2-478C-88D6-...
> > Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
> > able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
> > specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
> > thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if
> > that
> > is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E
> > drives.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
> >> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS
> >> partition
> >> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for
> >> you.
> >> --
> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> ..
> >>
> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> >> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not
> >> > mention
> >> > that
> >> > in the article.
> >> >
> >> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the
> >> > HP
> >> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> >> > uses
> >> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also
> >> > ordered a
> >> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> >> > out
> >> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> >> > really
> >> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if
> >> > there
> >> > is a
> >> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly
> >> > for
> >> > my
> >> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> >> > work.
> >> >
> >> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to
> >> >> recover
> >> >> the
> >> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a
> >> >> new
> >> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a
> >> >> desktop
> >> >> with
> >> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> >> >> versatile.
> >> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup
> >> >> option
> >> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> >> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> >> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> >> interface.
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> >> .
> >> >>
> >> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> >> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
> >> >> > Afghanistan
> >> >> > at
> >> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> >> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer,
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the
> >> >> > command
> >> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external
> >> >> > drive.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and
> >> >> > replacing
> >> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > files
> >> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > SP1
> >> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
> >> >> > before
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> >> >> > online
> >> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
> >> >> > waited,
> >> >> > then
> >> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > able
> >> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> >> >> > because I
> >> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading
> >> >> > out
> >> >> > here.
> >> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
> >> >>
> >>

More information to help!
running bcdedit /enum gives back the following:

identifier bootmgr
device partition =c:
description windows boot manager
locale en-US
inherit <global settings>
default <default>
resume object <8c3[bunch of numbers]c84f>
display order <default>
toolsdisplayorder <memdiag>
timeout <30>


Windows Boot Loader

identifier <default>
device partition =c:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Microsoft Windows Vista
locale en-US
inherit <bootloadersettings>
recoverysequence <current>
recoveryenabled <yes>
osdevice partition =c:
systemroot \windows
resumeobject <8c3[same bunch of numbers from above]c84f>
nx <OptIn>

"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> From a Command Prompt, you have the chance to run the command:
> CHKDSK /R
> to see if you can recover the boot up options. Press F8 during the start
> after the chkdsk to see if a "Last known good configuration' start up will
> work.
> There is also a possibility the BootRec might recover it.
> How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
> troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:7D196CA7-8CF2-478C-88D6-...
> > Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
> > able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
> > specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
> > thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if
> > that
> > is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E
> > drives.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
> >> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS
> >> partition
> >> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for
> >> you.
> >> --
> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> ..
> >>
> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> >> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not
> >> > mention
> >> > that
> >> > in the article.
> >> >
> >> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the
> >> > HP
> >> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> >> > uses
> >> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also
> >> > ordered a
> >> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> >> > out
> >> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> >> > really
> >> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if
> >> > there
> >> > is a
> >> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly
> >> > for
> >> > my
> >> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> >> > work.
> >> >
> >> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to
> >> >> recover
> >> >> the
> >> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a
> >> >> new
> >> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a
> >> >> desktop
> >> >> with
> >> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> >> >> versatile.
> >> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup
> >> >> option
> >> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> >> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> >> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> >> interface.
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> >> .
> >> >>
> >> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> >> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
> >> >> > Afghanistan
> >> >> > at
> >> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> >> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer,
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the
> >> >> > command
> >> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external
> >> >> > drive.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and
> >> >> > replacing
> >> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > files
> >> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > SP1
> >> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
> >> >> > before
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> >> >> > online
> >> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
> >> >> > waited,
> >> >> > then
> >> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > able
> >> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> >> >> > because I
> >> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading
> >> >> > out
> >> >> > here.
> >> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
> >> >>
> >>

I did try the Last Known good configuration and it does the same thing. I
think maybe the update was corrupted?


"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> From a Command Prompt, you have the chance to run the command:
> CHKDSK /R
> to see if you can recover the boot up options. Press F8 during the start
> after the chkdsk to see if a "Last known good configuration' start up will
> work.
> There is also a possibility the BootRec might recover it.
> How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
> troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:7D196CA7-8CF2-478C-88D6-...
> > Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
> > able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
> > specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
> > thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if
> > that
> > is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E
> > drives.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
> >> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS
> >> partition
> >> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for
> >> you.
> >> --
> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> ..
> >>
> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> >> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not
> >> > mention
> >> > that
> >> > in the article.
> >> >
> >> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the
> >> > HP
> >> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> >> > uses
> >> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also
> >> > ordered a
> >> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> >> > out
> >> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> >> > really
> >> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if
> >> > there
> >> > is a
> >> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly
> >> > for
> >> > my
> >> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> >> > work.
> >> >
> >> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to
> >> >> recover
> >> >> the
> >> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a
> >> >> new
> >> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a
> >> >> desktop
> >> >> with
> >> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> >> >> versatile.
> >> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup
> >> >> option
> >> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> >> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> >> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> >> interface.
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> >> .
> >> >>
> >> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> >> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
> >> >> > Afghanistan
> >> >> > at
> >> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> >> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer,
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the
> >> >> > command
> >> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external
> >> >> > drive.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and
> >> >> > replacing
> >> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > files
> >> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > SP1
> >> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
> >> >> > before
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> >> >> > online
> >> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
> >> >> > waited,
> >> >> > then
> >> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > able
> >> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> >> >> > because I
> >> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading
> >> >> > out
> >> >> > here.
> >> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
> >> >>
> >>

I also did a setupapi.app log and pulled it out to my desktop. It is too
long to post here, but there are a lot of exit status: failure! in the log.
I am not quite sure what to look for though. Here is a sample failure entry:


>>> [DIF_SELECTBESTCOMPATDRV - PCI\VEN_1180&DEV_0843&SUBSYS_30CF103C&REV_12\4&11E 13B16&0&2A40]
>>> Section start 2008/04/19 20:46:19.372
cmd: winpeshl.exe
dvi: No class installer for 'Base System Device'
dvi: No CoInstallers found
dvi: Default installer: Enter 20:46:19.372
dvi: {Select Best Driver}
! dvi: Selecting driver failed(0xe0000228)
dvi: {Select Best Driver - exit(0xe0000228)}
! dvi: Default installer: failed!
! dvi: Error 0xe0000228: There are no compatible drivers for this device.
<<< Section end 2008/04/19 20:46:19.372
<<< [Exit status: FAILURE(0xe0000228)]





"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> From a Command Prompt, you have the chance to run the command:
> CHKDSK /R
> to see if you can recover the boot up options. Press F8 during the start
> after the chkdsk to see if a "Last known good configuration' start up will
> work.
> There is also a possibility the BootRec might recover it.
> How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
> troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> news:7D196CA7-8CF2-478C-88D6-...
> > Hm, well I still haven't tried the backup yet for lack of disks, but I was
> > able to go in via the command prompt and xcopy out a few files from a
> > specific location deep within the bowels of c:\users\etc...\etc... onto a
> > thumbdrive. So stuff must still be in there and findable. I wonder if
> > that
> > is good news and I still have a partition? I see an C, X, D, and E
> > drives.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> If data recovery works, do it. I'm not sure the article you quoted is
> >> completely right if you can do that, though. Failure of the NTFS
> >> partition
> >> should make all data unrecoverable by normal means. I hope it works for
> >> you.
> >> --
> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> ..
> >>
> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> news:6D0EAA22-B4D4-4367-B562-...
> >> > OK, I have lost my partition. That is the problem? It does not
> >> > mention
> >> > that
> >> > in the article.
> >> >
> >> > I still have an option to back up my data available to me through the
> >> > HP
> >> > total care. Would that work or not? I haven't tried it yet because it
> >> > uses
> >> > CD's, I have to see if I can scrounge up enough of them. I also
> >> > ordered a
> >> > USB/IDE adapter cable to use in transferring the data if I can't get it
> >> > out
> >> > through the backup method. I think I can get my data out, but I would
> >> > really
> >> > like to keep my programs intact. not the end of the world, but if
> >> > there
> >> > is a
> >> > way, that would be great. The laptop is a secondary machine, mostly
> >> > for
> >> > my
> >> > off-hours time, but it does have a lot of nice programs that help with
> >> > work.
> >> >
> >> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You have lost your partition. There are rather expensive ways to
> >> >> recover
> >> >> the
> >> >> data from such a drive, but the basic point is that you would need a
> >> >> new
> >> >> drive to put in there while that was done. If the system were a
> >> >> desktop
> >> >> with
> >> >> two drives this would not be a problem, but a laptop is just not that
> >> >> versatile.
> >> >> Not to seem like a lecture, you might have a look at a good backup
> >> >> option
> >> >> like 'skydrive' for critical or precious data.
> >> >> The Windows Experience Blog Windows Live SkyDrive :
> >> >> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...hes-today.aspx
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> >> >> interface.
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> >> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> >> .
> >> >>
> >> >> "montellano" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:66F3213A-A302-4A77-A1EA-...
> >> >> > I have a few problems, one of them is that I am stationed in
> >> >> > Afghanistan
> >> >> > at
> >> >> > the moment and have no access to my CD library, but my main one is
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > have the problem noted in the article below:
> >> >> > Article ID: 946532: When you start a Windows Vista-based computer,
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > system may stop responding (hang) at a black screen
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But, through the wonder that is HP total care, I can get to the
> >> >> > command
> >> >> > prompt, open up notepad, even hook up and 'see' a USB external
> >> >> > drive.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Is there any way to repair from this problem by finding and
> >> >> > replacing
> >> >> > whatever corrupt file is bad? And/or, is there any way to grab all
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > files
> >> >> > before trying to recover from this massive pain in my butt?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Brief RANT:I cannot believe that Vista would have an error like this
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > could happen and the only recourse is to reload vista. I also see
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > SP1
> >> >> > fixes this, but it came out through WU too late for me to grab it
> >> >> > before
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > happened. I guess that is what I get for following their directions
> >> >> > online
> >> >> > where they said, just wait till it comes out on WU. If I hadn't
> >> >> > waited,
> >> >> > then
> >> >> > I would have had the update and this wouldn't have happened!
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Anyways, if someone out there could please help me. I would love to
> >> >> > be
> >> >> > able
> >> >> > to recover from this error without taking it back to factory specs,
> >> >> > because I
> >> >> > loaded this laptop with everything I could think of before heading
> >> >> > out
> >> >> > here.
> >> >> > All my family photos, programs, etc...
> >> >>
> >>