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Question

Windows does not load

Dec 10, 2012 4:53AM PST

Hello, here is the issue I'm trying to tackle

Some time last week, I shut down my computer by holding the power button, don't know why I didn't do a complete shutdown but that's what I did. Next day windows won't load. Here's what I have:

My old roommate & I built this machine from NewEgg components about 5 years ago including ASUS motherboard & Western Digital SATA hard drive, running windows XP.

Here's the work & results since the incident:

Normal startup:
(paraphrasing a little) Windows did not start successfully, choose one of the following options
Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Last known good configuration
Start windows normally
All of these options fail and the system restarts


With boot disk:

A:\>echo off
NWCDEX.EXE Version 2.81 CD-ROM file handler.
(copyright information)
Driver not found: 'generic'.
A:\NWEXCD.EXE requires a Driver name wto be specified.
Invalid drive specified
Command or file name not recognized
Command or file name not recognized
Command or file name not recognized
Command or file name not recognized
Command or file name not recognized
A:\>


Following a google search for failure to start safe mode I found this file - ubcd411.exe
startup with this file on cd yielded this:
HD System Type-(00)
Missing Operating System_


Asus hard drive boot disk:
Welcome to Asus Motherboard Make disk for DOS menu rev 1.0
1) NVIDIA SATA RAID Driver Page
2) Silicon Image Sil3132 SATA RAID Driver Page
3) FreeDOS command prompt
Please choose 1 ~ 3:


My concept to solving this is get to a system restore point through safe mode. Failing that a re install of windows or last ditch solution reformatting. Getting these done from here is beyond my knowledge level. I am working off a laptop preferably sparingly, with a DVD burner. I hope someone can help, I'll provide any needed info I can. Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Did you save your files first?
Dec 10, 2012 5:03AM PST

After that I use the old xp reinstall method. Widely discussed so I'll stop here but comment the damage is now sadly common with all those malwares out there.
Bob

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files intact
Dec 10, 2012 5:46AM PST

I have my most critical files backed up, if I loose the rest that will have to be an acceptable loss. My technical knowledge is unfortunately stuck on the issue at hand, can you point me to a resource that will help me perform a system restore, or other diagnosis?

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Since the boot menu items fails.
Dec 10, 2012 5:52AM PST

I know of no way to recover other than the old XP reinstall method. Here's a good so you can use the one you like.

-> https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=xp+reinstall

There are plenty of articles about it and why I don't write at length about it. If there is a step that fails, we discuss that.
Bob

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Data Lifeguard tools
Dec 11, 2012 12:59AM PST

Thank you for your attention to my problem. Before I wipe everything clean, I'd like to lay all the cards on the table. This morning I took a fresh look at my boot disk, it's Data Lifeguard tools from Western Digital. This disk says it covers drive installation & diagnostics. Is there a way I can run this diagnostic tool through DOS? Could that even help me at this point?

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Sorry but that title is not one I use.
Dec 11, 2012 1:20AM PST

I see it's a diagnostic and if the maker does not bother to put a document on its use I would not bother trying it.

From the last time I used that (over 2 years ago) it did nothing to help repair a non-boot Windows XP.
Bob