Question Computer problems... again

[RangerPL]

After installing SP3 a few weeks ago, my computer ran fine until my brother started up Battlefield 2. My computer immediately froze up and now does so in between the windows boot screen and the windows startup screen. Safe Mode doesn't work either and I'm out of options that I can think of.

Are there other solutions I can use (besides doing a clean re-install)?
Can I find some way to access my computer to back up what I need?

 

[RisingFury]

You can use Linux to back up your data.

Just download and burn a copy of Ubuntu onto a CD, boot from that CD and select the option to run your Ubuntu from CD without installing anything. Then you can use your flash drives / external hard drives / additional DVD burners the way you usually would.

 

[RangerPL]

I haven't thought of that actually. I'll do that. Hopefully this isn't a hardware thing though.

EDIT:
The problem is either a corrupted install of windows or a bad HDD.
Ubuntu starts just fine, but it takes a long time (is this normal?), so windows must be messed up.

 

[Biscuit]

I recently had a problem with my computer ... a memory stick went bad, corrupted my Windows install really bad.

Do you still have your Windows install disk?

Have you tried an in-place upgrade? ... takes a while, but it fixed my problem. Didn't lose any data, didn't even have to reinstall any software ... just had to reinstall a few drivers ... make sure you reinstall SP3 right after Windows loads and gets stable.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

Worked for me ... but your mileage may vary.

 

[garyw]

After installing SP3 a few weeks ago, my computer ran fine until my brother started up Battlefield 2. My computer immediately froze up and now does so in between the windows boot screen and the windows startup screen. Safe Mode doesn't work either and I'm out of options that I can think of.

Are there other solutions I can use (besides doing a clean re-install)?
Can I find some way to access my computer to back up what I need?

Clean install and restore your data from backup.

Best way to be sure that you aren't bringing over any rubbish you don't want.

 

[Kozak]

Are there other solutions I can use (besides doing a clean re-install)?
Can I find some way to access my computer to back up what I need?

1.You can try a "safe mode w/command string" (don't remember how it sounds in the english version), that loads up only a command line interface. Then use Chkdsk /F /R /X [disk]: on all the drives
2.You can do a system restore from the install disk. This way all the programs installed and all the data are preserved, while you may need to reinstall the SP3 afterwards
3.You can boot up from a LiveCD, as RisingFury suggests. Though a Windows liveCD will be better.

Don't forget to run a full drive check in any case. And enable system restore.

 

[RisingFury]

I would back up my data before messing around with it further, especially if I didn't know what I was doing.

 

[RangerPL]

My windows install was corrupted, I managed to fix it without loss of data, using my WinXP CD.
I have a small problem now, whenever I restart my computer, the theme resets to Windows Classic. Any way to fix this?

I'm also getting an external HDD tomorrow to back up my movies, keep orbiter there as well as my other stuff.