Toshiba Satellite won't start up

gerrymadden1

I'll try to keep this simple... (For my sake )

Yesterday my Toshiba Satellite would not start up.

Starting Windows 7 > Please Wait > Select User > Welcome

So far everything appears fine. Graphics look fine etc.

Then I get a blank screen. No text, no error message. Just a blank blue/purple screen.

Anyone know what might be happening? Can it be fixed?

If I do "control, alt, delete" I get options to Lock Computer, Switch User, Log Off, Change Password & Start Task Manager. I also get the Shut Down option.

Thanks

mp22

Hold down F8 on start up when the menu appears select "Last Know good configuration"

gerrymadden1

Thanks... Tried it... No joy!!

mp22

F8 and safe mode?

gerrymadden1

Can get into Safe Mode but very limited functionality.

Am currently having the data salvaged from the hdd. While doing this we noticed that all references to Windows seem to have disappeared???

A strange one indeed.

Hopefully once the hdd is reinstalled we will wipe down the laptop & reinstall the operating system. I'm going to lose a lot of programmes / software though.

Bummer.

newfrontier

gerrymadden1 wrote: »

Can get into Safe Mode but very limited functionality.

Am currently having the data salvaged from the hdd. While doing this we noticed that all references to Windows seem to have disappeared???

A strange one indeed.

Hopefully once the hdd is reinstalled we will wipe down the laptop & reinstall the operating system. I'm going to lose a lot of programmes / software though.

Bummer.

remember to image you drive next time can prove very useful if you find yourself in a similar boat

excollier

Before this ever happens again, be prepared and download a linux os called Parted Magic. It's free, and harmless to Windows.
When it's downloaded burn it to a cd or dvd or even a usb stick.
Should you then run into this problem again, you can salvage your own data with it, saving you a few quid, or even for friends / family with similar problems.
I would recommend that you do it as soon as you get your computer back, and learn how to use it (it's very simple) by setting your computer's boot order to cd/dvd then usb then hdd last. That way you can boot from your Parted Magic cd/usb and access all your drives / partitions when Windows throws a strop again (it will eventually) and you will be ready for it.
Here's the link:
http://partedmagic.com/doku.php#.UX0-36pEwg2
very easy to use, I knew nothing of linux six months ago, now I have salvaged data from a couple of computers for friends.
It also has a very good anti-virus program (ClamAV) that you can use to scan your Windows partitions, and a patitioning tool, GParted, to manipulate partitions with.

gerrymadden1

Nice one... Much appreciated.

Celly Smunt

Happened on my own about a year ago,turned out to be the ram.