Can the computer be saved?

Skyknight · 27-06-2017 10:23pm

Spear wrote: »

Time to assume the disc is dud and burn another copy.

Sorry about that ....It does sound Like it alright. :P

XsApollo · 27-06-2017 10:23pm

It's an iQon PC , 12 minutes isn't very long in iQon time :-)
I have nothing to add to help but an iQon was the first PC we got in our house.
Wasn't particularly quick if I remember .

Spear · 27-06-2017 10:24pm

pjohnson wrote: »

What do I do with the computer. Can I turn it off when its like this?

Should I buy new discs? Is the machine/photos still safe?

You can leave it while the replacement is burning, but it's safe to just power it off or hit the reset button.

Skyknight · 27-06-2017 10:24pm

Yeah, pretty much. Wait until you have the new disk burned and retry it .

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 10:25pm

Rightso. To the laptop.

yermanoffthetv · 27-06-2017 10:29pm

It can take 30 mins or even up to an hour depending on how old your machine is. Excruciating I know but it could just be working very slowly. If its still not moving after that, try a new disk.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 10:34pm

yermanoffthetv wrote: »

It can take 30 mins or even up to an hour depending on how old your machine is. Excruciating I know but it could just be working very slowly. If its still not moving after that, try a new disk.

Be worth leaving overnight? The machine itself is well over a decade old, possibly 15 years? XP was new and top of the range.

yermanoffthetv · 27-06-2017 10:37pm

pjohnson wrote: »

Be worth leaving overnight? The machine itself is well over a decade old, possibly 15 years? XP was new and top of the range.

Nah an hour is long enough after that its possibly because of a corrupted or scratched CD.

Edit: to set your mind at ease, if you got this far its fixable.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 10:39pm

yermanoffthetv wrote: »

Nah an hour is long enough after that its possibly because of a corrupted or scratched CD.

Edit: to set your mind at ease, if you got this far its fixable.

Going by my posts here its at around the 45 minute mark.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 10:55pm

Right 11pm time for the new cd

duibhneach · 27-06-2017 10:56pm

There is an option to just get your photos and so on off the old computer: Hirens' Boot CD

I've been using Hirens for years for just this kind of task. It is a swiss army knife type of CD. It has a thing called "Mini XP" on it that would allow you to copy pictures and other files off your old disk onto a USB stick. It doesn't fix your old PC, it just boots into a "portable" copy of XP that allows you to back stuff up.

/* I'm a new user, so I can't post links, you will have to add the "http" bit to the links below manually :-( */

Download the zip file from this page to your laptop. Green "Download" button on the left hand side of the following page:
downloads.tomsguide.com/Hiren-s-Boot-CD,0301-51033.html

If you are worried about if it is not a dodgy download, you can read reviews of Hiren's Boot CD here: community.spiceworks.com/products/56768-hirens-bootcd

When you download it, unzip the file and go into the "Hirens" folder. Then put a blank CD into the laptop drive and double-click "BurnToCD".

When it is burned to CD, you should plonk it into the CD drive of the old PC and reboot like you did with the Windows one. You get a menu option like here: cdn-1.rmprepusb.com/_/rsrc/1352993082871/tutorials/hirens/hbcd15.2menu.jpg

Use the down key to select "Mini Windows XP". It will look a bit odd, but it should allow you to find your photos on the C Drive and save them to a USB stick.

duibhneach · 27-06-2017 10:58pm

Forgot to say, Hirens download is about the same size as Windows ISO: 650 Mb or so. And it is completely free.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 11:01pm

At this stage I'm in such a desperate state I'd pay any amount to get someone out to bloody do it. I just want it back.

Miike · 27-06-2017 11:04pm

pjohnson wrote: »

At this stage I'm in such a desperate state I'd pay any amount to get someone out to bloody do it. I just want it back.

This is easily fixed and the files can recovered by anyone with a little tech know how. You need to relax, all is NOT lost.

The post above about Hirens Boot CD is a good suggestion. Do you have any friends or anything who would be able to help?

duibhneach · 27-06-2017 11:07pm

If you search for "How to create and run the Hiren's BootCD 15.2" on YouTube it will show you how to use it.

degsie · 27-06-2017 11:08pm

duibhneach wrote: »

There is an option to just get your photos and so on off the old computer: Hirens' Boot CD

This was suggested back in post #12, OP is not a techie so may be a bridge too far. Getting to bios was a struggle enough.

Spear · 27-06-2017 11:10pm

pjohnson wrote: »

At this stage I'm in such a desperate state I'd pay any amount to get someone out to bloody do it. I just want it back.

For the majority of us on this thread, this kind of thing would normally be a 5 minute annoyance to sort. There's no grounds for panic or desperation.

Is anywhere here local to Galway who could pop round?

duibhneach · 27-06-2017 11:10pm

degsie wrote: »

This was suggested back in post #12, OP is not a techie so may be a bridge too far. Getting to bios was a struggle enough.

Ah, yeah. Didn't see it.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 11:11pm

degsie wrote: »

This was suggested back in post #12, OP is not a techie so may be a bridge too far. Getting to bios was a struggle enough.

It wouldnt work anyway. I get stuck on loading screen. I checked the video. I need an expert.

spurious · 27-06-2017 11:13pm

pjohnson wrote: »

It wouldnt work anyway. I get stuck on loading screen. I checked the video. I need an expert

You don't need an expert as such. You just need someone who knows a little bit more than you. I'm by no means any techie expert and I could do it. I'm in Dublin unfortunately.

The main thing is your photos are still there, they can be recovered.

degsie · 27-06-2017 11:17pm

It's entirely possible you may have a hardware problem other than a corrupt hdd. You need to start thinking of removing the drive and using an adapter to connect to your laptop via usb.

yermanoffthetv · 27-06-2017 11:21pm

I'm in Dublin too. I'd happily call over if I was in Galway and do it for you. Look power it down tonight and attack it again another day. This is a fixable issue and your data can be recovered so don't worry about it. Well sort this one way or another!

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 11:24pm

degsie wrote: »

It's entirely possible you may have a hardware problem other than a corrupt hdd. You need to start thinking of removing the drive and using an adapter to connect to your laptop via usb.

So the machine is doomed but the photos safe?

I dont know how to go dicking around with drives and taking bits out either.

Spear · 27-06-2017 11:26pm

pjohnson wrote: »

So the machine is doomed but the photos safe?

That is one possibility. The point where the XP load fails is where it loads the drivers and attempt to take control of the hardware for the OS, and thus a hardware fault could be causing it to hang. This scenario would mean the files would be safe at least.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 11:28pm

Spear wrote: »

That is one possibility. The point where the XP load fails is where it loads the drivers and attempt to take control of the hardware for the OS, and thus a hardware fault could be causing it to hang. This scenario would mean the files would be safe at least.

And those iQon recovery things are bad?

The photos get priority but be a shame fod the machine to just end up in the shed.

yermanoffthetv · 27-06-2017 11:31pm

pjohnson wrote: »

So the machine is doomed but the photos safe?

I wouldn't say doomed, its more like a bios setting needs to be changed or something minor, I don't think you have broken hardware if you can boot and get loading screens up. Your photos are safe. Hard drives don't delete data as such just overwrite pictures and documents with other data. If its not overwritten it can be recovered.

Spear · 27-06-2017 11:32pm

pjohnson wrote: »

And those iQon recovery things are bad?

The photos get priority but be a shame fod the machine to just end up in the shed.

It's still too early reach to any definitive conclusions in that regard.

pjohnson · 27-06-2017 11:33pm

Ok. Well I'm throughly beaten for tonight. Wont be able to sleep but, Just have to try when I get home tomorrow.

TheChizler · 27-06-2017 11:37pm

pjohnson wrote: »

Ok. Well I'm throughly beaten for tonight. Wont be able to sleep but, Just have to try when I get home tomorrow.

Don't stress about it. I had a machine which was partially blown up by lightning and we got all the data off it no problem.

Skyknight · 27-06-2017 11:40pm

Always best to approach the problem in a Clear(er), less stressed state of mind.

yermanoffthetv · 27-06-2017 11:48pm

Forget about it for tonight. I've a few ideas what it could be like a controller option setting. I'll subscribe to this thread and get back to you. Plenty of tech savvy people on boards so well get to the bottom of it one way or another.

Metric Tensor · 27-06-2017 11:51pm

OP - tell us where you are in Galway roughly. I'm not there myself at the moment. It's a big county - a bit more precision and there might be someone nearby!

Suckit · 28-06-2017 12:19am

Sorry, had to run out unavoidable.
If you have a USB key OP you could download any distro, Hirens, Ubuntu many more.
to save any heartache, Download Etcher or Rufus.
Change the first boot priority in BIOS to USB drive, and boot from that.
Hopefully it will boot from USB, it may be called "OnChip PCI Device" or "USB 2.0 Support"
You have to enable either of them first in "Integrated Peripherals" in BIOS, you will see it there.

FanadMan · 28-06-2017 12:39am

I would have suggested Hirens hours ago but last time I did I got a chewing from the mod on duty cos it was dodgy. Mind you that was years ago when XP was still going strong lol.

I'm going to be spending a few days in Galway but unfortunately it's in going to be 3 weeks till I'm there

Would have been more than happy to sort it out.

There has to be some boardsies about that's in the area that can sort it. Come on - we all try and help each other in here.

Spear · 28-06-2017 1:45am

Hirens was dodgy in the early years, and they cleaned it up. The only elements without permission now are the MS components and tools, and MS have stated that they don't object to their use.

It's a very powerful tool, but overkill for someone who's not that tech savvy. Many of the items in it could make things spiral into an unrecoverable state.

28-06-2017 2:00am

Pjohnson,

Im going home to galway for the weekend. If you are any where near Athenry I can meet you and have a look at it. I used to run a PC Repair business in that area half a million years ago. The fact the machine is getting to a driver load error on the screen tells me the system is definitely salvageable. At the very least, we can back up the photos and other files on the system assuming the hard drive wasn't damaged.

Send me a private message on here, and we can arrange some thing.

-=al=- · 28-06-2017 2:50am

Just happened to see this thread and gave it a read since something similar happened to me a few years ago on an old XP machine and it worked out ok so hang on in there.

I think I ended up downloading windows xp onto a usb and repairing the machine from that. Looking back I'm not sure how I managed to do it or figure it out but it worked out ok in the end!

The machine I mentioned recently had issues starting up, it would turn on but the fan would just whir until I turned it off and no boot screen or anything. Just the light on and the fan on.

I did leave it for a few days unplugged and it managed to turn on again but not every time

Now I don't want to steal the thread but is there anything I can do to make sure it runs every time? It's running Windows XP and is the machine is 13 years old... you guys seem to know a thing or two about a thing or two so just thought I'd ask

Good look OP!

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 5:27am

I'm trying again but just waiting on the blue screen again.

Dampsquid · 28-06-2017 7:06am

If it were me, i wouldnt be trying to recover the computer. The 1st thing to do is secure the photos.

That involves getting the HDD out of the computer, plug it into an external caddy and copy them to another computer. Make 2 copies at least on different systems/media.

At that point, if you need to get your PC up and running, you can go through the steps to recover the operating system, but the more attempts you make, the more chance you do something wrong or the HDD finally fails.

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 7:56am

That Hirens thing froze at the same point as the others. Maybe its the CD's I'm burning to. This is hopeless. I give up.

Theres no chance I can fix this with a screwdriver and pulling out random bits. I should never have bothered. Its gone beyond fixable levels.

Metric Tensor · 28-06-2017 8:08am

No - it's not beyond fixable. You just need to take up one of the many kind offers from here. I'd say there is a 90%+ chance of getting the photos at a minimum.

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 8:13am

Metric Tensor wrote: »

No - it's not beyond fixable. You just need to take up one of the many kind offers from here. I'd say there is a 90%+ chance of getting the photos at a minimum.

I've tried everything I can. I guess I can try with the screwdriver later and see if I can pull out the right bits.

MoodeRator · 28-06-2017 8:21am

Where in Galway are you?

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 8:35am

MoodeRator wrote: »

Where in Galway are you?

PM'd you

Metric Tensor · 28-06-2017 8:40am

You've tried everything that you can do. Plenty of people here have offered to come and sort you out using their tools and expertise which are beyond yours!

I'm from North Galway myself but I won't be down there for a few weeks. I am happy to have a look at it then if you are still in trouble.

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 8:42am

Metric Tensor wrote: »

You've tried everything that you can do. Plenty of people here have offered to come and sort you out using their tools and expertise which are beyond yours!

I'm from North Galway myself but I won't be down there for a few weeks. I am happy to have a look at it then if you are still in trouble.

I'm pming those who ask the village I'm near I'm just not posting it in the public area. Its along the main Barna to Inverin road in West Galway.

Metric Tensor · 28-06-2017 8:44am

That's perfect. I'm sure there are lots nearby that will help. I think the data is definitely salvageable based on what you said here.

Once the data is safe then you can try more things with the computer itself.

Good luck with it!

pjohnson · 28-06-2017 10:52am

After thinking things through, I've now decided to wait until someone can provide me assistance, BUT I think I may have figured out a possible issue I could fix.

Last night it was mentioned that my blank disc may be faulty. After thinking I realised that while I may not have been using the blank discs as often I probably purchased them about 10 years ago. Is it likely that a ten year old blank disc simply wont be of use now and have become corrupted over that length of time?

Should I try buying a new disc to see if it will work or should I just wait for someone to assist me?

Spear · 28-06-2017 11:07am

10 years is plenty enough time for a blank to degrade.

It's a lot quicker and more reliable to use a USB stick these days. Any disc ISO image can be applied to a USB stick just as equally.

bonzodog2 · 28-06-2017 11:21am

Spear wrote: »

10 years is plenty enough time for a blank to degrade.

It's a lot quicker and more reliable to use a USB stick these days. Any disc ISO image can be applied to a USB stick just as equally.

True, but the OP's machine may not support USB stick booting. I have a more recent system that will boot from USB HDD/DVD but doesn't like sticks.

Can the computer be saved?

Comments