Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

BSOD w/ unable to use recovery

by Dawg Monitor Apr 24, 2009 10:43AM PDT

System specs:
Laptop HP dv9700
Core 2 Duo 2.00 Ghz
Vista x64
4 GB RAM

So here's the thing, after updating about a bunch of updates on my computer I've get a BSOD a day or two after. It describe the following:
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
with technical info:
*** STOP: 0x00000050 (0xFFFFF980D0A4A2 54, 0x0000000000000001, 0xFFFFF8000E446CB9, 0x0000000000000005)

Haven't recently installed any new software besides updates. Using safe mode, repair and system recovery (CD and built-in partition) both oddly bring me to the OS loading screen then attempt to load the log in screen with a batch suddenly open up before an error.
Lastly, I've tried to recover files possibly from Ubuntu, however I cannot access the hard drive because a strange reason its "Unable to Mount". Theses file are important, but as important as safe recovery.

Any instructions on what should I do? Do I have to reformat the hard drive and attempt to use the recovery CD again? I'm experience with Vista however not as great in XP.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Was SP1 installed?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 24, 2009 11:21AM PDT
- Collapse -
SP1
by Dawg Monitor Apr 24, 2009 11:39AM PDT

I believe so, I've checked the setting before and it was Vista SP1. Still, can't go pass into OS or recovery.

- Collapse -
First, recover those files...
by John.Wilkinson Apr 24, 2009 4:20PM PDT

If you move your hard drive to another computer running Windows 2000/XP/Vista, you can browse the contents natively without going through the mounting procedure from an Ubuntu Live CD. Just make sure you take ownership of the files/folders in order to access their contents, then copy them off your hard drive, just in case.

Once the files are backed up, I would see if you or a friend has a retail Windows Vista DVD. If so, you can boot to it and choose the Startup Repair option after clicking on the "repair my computer" link. You do not want to attempt installing Windows Vista from the DVD if you are borrowing a friend's, but the Startup Repair feature, lacking in most OEM recovery systems, may help you gain entry into the operating system again.

Let us know.
John

- Collapse -
Other options
by Dawg Monitor Apr 25, 2009 5:40AM PDT

Could I just wipe the hard drive (quickly) then reinstall with the recovery CD? Will there be issues if I do that?
I've tried asking for a copy of Vista from my friend, but he told me it was a installation CD, not a retail version. There's no possibility for me to take the laptop HDD to my desktop and recover and right now those files on the laptop aren't that important (I'll use a recovery problem later).

- Collapse -
Two remarks.
by Kees Bakker Apr 25, 2009 5:44AM PDT

1. You can put the laptops hd in an external enclosure to get your data off. That's simple and cheap.
2. After running the OS recovery it's uncertain (to say the least) that you will ever be able to recover your data.

My choice would be clear.

Kees

- Collapse -
To clarify...
by Dawg Monitor Apr 25, 2009 6:07AM PDT

The main issue is that I cannot use the system recovery CD or the built-in partition because after loading it would being me back to the loading screen and the BSOD (shouldn't it load own software without the OS?). So my thought is to format but would that be effective to solve that issue and what tool should I use to format the HDD?
Oh yeah, I can't take the HDD out because I don't have a enclosure to use. Doesn't matter now I guess.

- Collapse -
If you do not care about the data...
by John.Wilkinson Apr 25, 2009 2:48PM PDT

Then yes, using the recovery discs would 'solve' the problem, restoring your computer to the point at which you bought it. The discs themselves can reformat the hard drive, and will automatically during Windows' reinstall, but you need to change your BIOS settings such that the primary boot device is the optical drive the recovery disc is in. Your system booting to Windows every time is an indication that either this has not been changed or the recovery disc is bad.

John

Back to Windows Vista forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info