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Thread ID: 147454	2018-12-19 23:01:00	Vista on old PC, no boot	Tbird650 (6754)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1456664	2018-12-19 23:01:00	Here we have a Vista PC which I'm trying to repair. After cleaning a large amount of dust out, I found it wouldn't boot and was in a continuous no boot cycle. I've managed to get it to go a little further in the boot up where it shows the mouse on a black screen. It isn't frozen but it won't proceed past. Sticker on side reads Vista Ultimate OEM I have an original Vista Home Premium OEM disk. I have booted from this and got to recovery options where it shows "Operating System" as Microsoft Windows Vista, one partition 953866mb, (C)disk. Startup repair from disk says it can't detect any problems. Memory diagnostic tool: Pass. Won't boot to safe mode either. The questions: Have I got the right disk? What are my options? Ideal would be to not lose any data. If I reinstall, can I simply install on top of the existing Vista and keep all the personal data files. It's been a while since I've done any installing... Thanks	Tbird650 (6754)
1456665	2018-12-19 23:16:00	Last known good configuration did not work either. I have UBCD if could be of any help.	Tbird650 (6754)
1456666	2018-12-19 23:47:00	I found I could run CHKDSK from system recovery options. Recovered orphan files: nv4_mini.sys.mui nv4_disp.inf_loc 7 unindexed files processed Windows made corrections 0 bad sectors Failed to transfer logged messages, status 50 Startup repair finds no problems	Tbird650 (6754)
1456667	2018-12-19 23:57:00	Won't boot to safe mode either. When it gets to that stage, honestly a re-install is often the quickest fix You will loose all your settings , and the best re-install is allways after a wipe (you get that option) . If you wipe, everything will be gone You could try system restore after booting from CD Also, do a full HD surface scan. backup all the data you want before going any further, either with a linux CD or something like Paragon Rescue disk	1101 (13337)
1456668	2018-12-20 00:20:00	Get a linux install disk from mint or ubuntu and boot off that, should let you access the drive and back up any files to an external drive. You can do a repair install over top of the existing install, usually gives you that option if you go through setup and tell it to install to the same location as an existing windows install. In theory that leaves files intact but I wouldn't count on it, or on any software still working. Agree with 1101 that starting over might be best, but you may be in for a lot of updates afterwards. I installed and updated XP a few months back and resolved never to do that again.	dugimodo (138)
1456669	2018-12-20 00:21:00	The PC isn't mine so neither is the data. System restore isn't available. No restore points or similar message. Have done a quick HDD scan with Seatools from UBCD. Perhaps I go back and scan that full and just leave it to run. I have no way of backing up the data. No drives available. Heres a thought. Can I partition and wipe clean a partition just for Windows and leave all the data intact on the other partition? Do I actually have the right disk. Will the sticker key work?? I think I'll install over top of the existing windows if that's possible. Advise the owner they need a backup drive for data and leave it to him to decide. Actually I already know what his answer will be. Not enough funds.	Tbird650 (6754)
1456670	2018-12-20 00:26:00	I decided I'd do ChkDSk again after reading I should use the /R command as well. I only used the /F. Well it's taking forever so hopefully it's doing a thorough job. So CHKDSK found bad cluster. Crawling along at 11%	Tbird650 (6754)
1456671	2018-12-20 00:27:00	No home premium is the wrong disk for ultimate and won't work with the key and OEM disks tend to only have a single versin on them. I spent some time tracking down a vista disk for an old pc early this year and had a hell of a time finding one that worked and that was for a business version of vista. Maybe Wainuitech will know where to get one. You could make a bootable disk from aomei partition assistant (install in on another pc and do it from there) and create a new blank partition - if there's enough free space. You could also use Gparted on the previously mentioned Linux disks to do the same. Then install fresh. It'll probably give you a boot menu for both versions but you can edit that out if you want to later. What's the system specs? is installing windows 10 feasible? they can juts use it un activated and save all this hassle.	dugimodo (138)
1456672	2018-12-20 00:28:00	Bad cluster probably = need a new hard disk.	dugimodo (138)
1456673	2018-12-20 00:36:00	Good thoughts, thanks How can I determine what Vista version is actually installed? I mean forget what the sticker says.. it could be any of the versions for all we know. Yes, disk might be dying. Full scan needed... no doubt about it.	Tbird650 (6754)
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