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Vista BOOT problem!!


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#1 joe77

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 12:48 AM

Hi all!!

I'm new here...so pls be polite even if I'm going to ask you silly questions...lol!

So this is my story....

Last night Windows Update suggested me update my OS (VISTA HOME PREMIUM) with Service Pack 1, prompting me to do so because, according to Microsoft, it was a very important update to implement for the stability of my system.

So I did it immediately with no questions asked but, to my great surprise, after the installation of this bloody update, my Laptop was not able to boot Windows Vista anymore.

Of course, I tried to launch Windows in SAFE MODE or to restore my system to an earlier point in time but in both cases my attempts miserably failed.

Actually I only have one RESTORE POINT which keeps on hanging indefinitely and never completes the final restore whenever I apply it.

So, it appears that VISTA SP1 UPDATE has deleted all previous restore points messing up the entire registry of my PC: how was it possible??

And above all what can I do to solve this issue once & for all?

Of course, I could format the entire OS with my VISTA Restore DVD but if I do that I'll lose all my files and data stored in partition C (Office 2007 for instance).

So the question is: can I use the VistaPE tool to copy my data from this drive to another computer or external device so as to avoid losing all my files there once formatting my PC??

If so, what version should I use?

Is this version of VistaPE fit for purpose??

http://winbuilder.ne...istaPE-CAPI.zip


I would also be very grateful if you could please provide me an updated tutorial of this tool so that I can get the best from it.

I found this guide online but it refers to a previous version of VistaPE:

http://www.themudcra...istapeguide.php


Alternatively, do you know if I can slipstream VISTA SP1 or remove it from my original OS and then do a repair on Windows without formatting my entire system???

Can't wait to hear from you!!


Cheers.

#2 davlak

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 10:39 AM

If you own a Vista Setup DVD you can try a repair install
If not, try to exactly explain the error and\or the behavior that happens during the failed boot.

#3 joe77

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 03:17 PM

If you own a Vista Setup DVD you can try a repair install
If not, try to exactly explain the error and\or the behavior that happens during the failed boot.




Hi dude!!

Thanks 4 ur prompt reply (by the way...I'm from Italy too...LOL!!).

I have a DVD RESTORE VISTA but it's an OEM DVD that I had created after buying my Laptop: so I'm afraid that it cannot help me to solve this issue without formatting the entire system.

The problem is that, since downloading the VISTA SP1 Update, Vista doesn't boot anymore but to make things worse I'm also NOT able to launch Windows Vista in SAFE MODE (even with the Networking and Command Prompt option), so I can neither run any Disk Check nor download and run Microsoft's CheckSUR program (aka System Update Readiness Tool), unless I can boot this tool from a CD (can I do it via BIOS??).

For instance, I've just tried to enter into SAFE MODE using the COMMAND PROMPT Option but once reaching the windows file \Windows\System32\drivers\crcdisk.sys the process hangs on and then stop working, leaving me empty-handed (it says "please wait" but nothing happens afterwards).

And the same thing happens if I try to go into SAFE MODE without the prompt command.

And all of the other options available in the System Recovery Options menu (System Restore, Command Prompt etc... ) and even the STARTUP REPAIR option from the ADVANCED BOOT OPTION SCREEN does not work!!!!

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY ALL THIS MESS HAPPENED AFTER DOWNLOADING SP1 UPDATE??

So it looks like the only way to solve this bloody issue is to format my entire system from scratch and lose all my files in partition C afterwards.

That's why I had asked you if at least I can use VISTAPE to save them onto an external device before formatting the whole HD to make VISTA working again.

Pls note that in the guide of my laptop (Packard Bell EASYNOTE MX51-F-034 with VISTA HOME PREMIUM 32 Bit as OS) they say I could even restore my PC partially so that I can save the personal data and files of my profile(or Account), but honestly I'm not sure if this means saving the files in partition C.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

#4 al_jo

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 03:51 PM

Hi.
Think you shall first get/create a live/pe iso so that you can boot your PC and save your important files to an UFD.
I’ve made a small guide how to make a VistaPE without a Vista install source here:
http://reboot.pro/13...389#entry122389

After the files is saved, perhaps you need something like this:
http://neosmart.net/...-disc-download/

#5 joe77

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 04:55 PM

Hi.
Think you shall first get/create a live/pe iso so that you can boot your PC and save your important files to an UFD.
I’ve made a small guide how to make a VistaPE without a Vista install source here:
http://reboot.pro/13...389#entry122389

After the files is saved, perhaps you need something like this:
http://neosmart.net/...-disc-download/




Hi mate!!

Thank you very much for your message.

So, if I got it right, to recover my files in partition C before applying Step 2 (Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download) I need first to download the last version of Winbuilder (v.080), which is attached in your post mentioned above, and then download the latest VistaPE-Capi project 2010 from here:

http://vistape.winbuilder.net/

Is it like that?

I have also learned, from your small guide on how to make a VistaPE without a Vista install source, that it's possible to make a bootable VistaPE CD using only the Waik as source with a a tiny VistaPE-capi (10MB) project.

http://al-jo.zxq.net...apewaikonly.zip (Winbuilder.exe is included)


So what's the best option for me between the two ones mentioned above?

And don't you think I'd better first download the Vista Recovery ISO file (120 MB), before creating the VistaPE CD, so that I can gain access to Partition C of my Laptop should the recovery Disk fix the problem?

I'm asking you this bcs unfortunately I don't have a broadband connection where I am now (just a damn 56k dial up connection), so it would be much better for me to download the smallest possible ISO file size.

Finally...does this method work for XP and Windows 7 as well??


Can't wait 4 ur feedback!!

Edited by joe77, 20 February 2011 - 05:49 PM.


#6 al_jo

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 05:34 PM

Sorry, you will need a Waik iso anyway. Perhaps you already have one available?
Then you only need this too:
http://al-jo.zxq.net...apewaikonly.zip (It’s not a ready bootable iso!)

The final burned iso will boot any bootable PC.

#7 joe77

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 06:52 PM

No I don't have any WAIK ISO available.

But do you mean I need it even for the Vista Recovery Disk ISO file?

Ok, to recap the STEPS I have to follow are the following ones:


1. Download Waik ISO from here:

http://www.microsoft...A5-5B50C657DE08


2. Download Vista Recovery Disk Torrent (MB 120) from here:

http://neosmart.net/...-disc-download/


3. Download VistaPE ISO FILE (MB 80)using only the Waik as source with a a tiny VistaPE-capi project (MB 10) from here (but only if Step 2 failed to fix VISTA boot problem):

http://al-jo.zxq.net...apewaikonly.zip


Is it like that?? Pls clarify on this asap.


Finally, I've also found this link and was wondering if this procedure may work or not:

http://www.vistax64....isk-chkdsk.html



What do you make of it?

Hope to hear you soon.


Thanks for your consideration.

#8 al_jo

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 09:27 PM

Again:
If you want to save your valuable files/documents you need a bootable PE so that you can reach your files.

STEP1:
Download the WAIK!
http://www.microsoft...A5-5B50C657DE08

STEP2:
Download the Vistape files:
http://al-jo.zxq.net...apewaikonly.zip

Do as I already have described with the two files above.


AFTER you have saved your files:
Make a Recovery Disk and try to ”repair” your faulty VISTA.
http://neosmart.net/...-disc-download/
You do NOT need waik with this recovery disk!

If that does not work:
Use your VISTA Restore DVD!

#9 joe77

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 01:41 AM

Ok I'll do what you said even though WAIK is a massive 1GB and I cannot download it here without a broadband connection (but could go to a friend of mine to download it).

That being said... how about Slipstream Service Pack 1 and then do a repair on Windows following the steps described here??

http://www.briteccom...sta-sp1-update/


Ever heard about this method??

#10 QBall

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Posted 28 February 2011 - 10:24 PM

Not to knock any WinPE's but there is an even quicker, less painful way to go to just recover your lost personal files.

I'm assuming you have access to a computer that can download as well as burn discs, since you are online with this problem.

A quick way to get to your personal data to copy it over to another drive is not using any windows-based OS but a linux OS. It is SMALL and can boot to RAM, so nothing is installed. IT allows you to access Windows drives to do whatever you want with them. The quick OS I mention is Puppy Linux.

All you have to do is download it and burn it to a CD, reboot your computer (& do whatever you have to do to boot to the CD or DVD drive), answer the few prompts (asking about the language & keyboard setup you use and the screen/font size).

Then when you get to the desktop, click on the drive icon at the bottom of the screen that matches your windows drive (if you're not sure, just click on one after the other...assuming there are more than one), then when all drives are mounted, you can copy / paste your data to the other drive.

Now you can re-install your Windows 'safely' (without worry of losing your personal data). Once it's installed, you can just copy / paste all your stuff over to your new Windows.

As for the Windows SP1 problem, you may have just had a corrupted download?

Hope that helps (and I hope that I haven't 'stepped' on anyone's toes, suggesting another ('quick-boot') OS here just to help someone with a problem?

I would like to have a Live Windows CD / DVD to use as an everyday OS, like the above Puppy Linux! I don't know if anyone here has tried Puppy Linux (or any other similar Live Linux OS) but, unless you install it to your hard drive, the OS itself remains in RAM & won't be / can't be corrupted. It allows you to save your preferences and downloaded/installed programs to disk &/or disc (if you have burned it to a CD using the 'multi-session' option) & 'boot to a prinstine OS' every time ... if something gets corrupted, it'll only be in your saved file(s)!

I'm hoping that the WinPE thing is like this, as so many programs I use are Windows-based and won't work (or at least not very well) on a Linux-based OS...like some games I enjoy playing (like BigFish hidden object games). I want to try it out and see what it is like...also, I've had problems with my Windows getting corrupted to the point where it won't reboot properly and I end up having to re-install it; if anyone has had to re-install windows a few times will know that after the 2nd time(? or 3rd?), Windows won't accept the PID that came with the disc anymore and requires one to buy Windows again! :cheers: :happy_dance2:

Thanks y'all for this site and any (future) help I can get along the way... :white_flag:

QBall

Edited by QBall, 28 February 2011 - 10:32 PM.





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