Windows would not start

[Jess]

So I've ruined my computer again

No idea how

I noticed suddenly that the battery icon had a red x, and the hover-over said "No battery detected". later it said plugged but not charging. I tried many times to make sure it charges but I failed. Then I decided to restart my computer, which was the worst mistake ever.

It won't start anymore. I start Windows normally, then I wait for the log in page but it never comes. it's just a black screen. the mouse appears but that's it.

if I do the set up repair, it'll be at "Attempting repairs" for a really really long time which tells me it'll never fix the repairs.

I told my dad about this and I'm hoping he can fix it, but I hope whatever way he fixes it will NOT erase all my files and stuff.

also when I start it, it seems to make an odd clicking noise and my dad said there might be something wrong with the fan. I thought it was the battery though?

will this even be fixable? I just want that reassurance. even if my dad couldn't, would he be able to go to some repair shop and get it fixed there, without my laptop losing any files/data/information/ANYTHING?

[anonymous53]

If it's an odd clicking noise it could be the hard drive, have you dropped the laptop at all?


If you can try pressing f8 right after the BIOS loads (Splash screen, right before the windows logo) and then press "Safe mode" If that works, let me know and we can go from there.


As per backing up your files, do you have a computer anywhere else in the house? because if possible you could put your laptop hard drive in there (Assuming this is a new laptop with a SATA connection) and backup the files that way, if it is not you can go to "Microcenter" in st. davids if you live around there and pick up a "USB to Sata/ide" adapter, which you can use to make your laptop hard drive into an external drive to back up all of your files first.

[Silicate Wielder]

Most likely expanation... Your computer has a virus. if you boot up your laptop and go into your BIOS before windows begins to boot then select system recovery you can easily fix your computer. And if you don't want to mess your computer up again. install Ubuntu instead of windows. jsut go to Ubuntu.com, follow the instructions on hwo to install (or just buy the disk) you can quickly get your computer up and running again. to run windows applications just install the Wine windows layer (Preferably the latest versions of each part of the setup for most support on windows applications) Thats what I run since my sister has horrible luck with windows and is bound to mess it up if you give her more than 10 mins on it.

[anonymous53]

Most likely expanation... Your computer has a virus. if you boot up your laptop and go into your BIOS before windows begins to boot then select system recovery you can easily fix your computer. And if you don't want to mess your computer up again. install Ubuntu instead of windows. jsut go to Ubuntu.com, follow the instructions on hwo to install (or just buy the disk) you can quickly get your computer up and running again. to run windows applications just install the Wine windows layer (Preferably the latest versions of each part of the setup for most support on windows applications) Thats what I run since my sister has horrible luck with windows and is bound to mess it up if you give her more than 10 mins on it.


Linux is not immune to viruses, nor are macs.

[Silicate Wielder]

Linux is not immune to viruses, nor are macs.
True, but both linux and mac are less likely to get viruses than windows.

[anonymous53]

True, but both linux and mac are less likely to get viruses than windows.

I would like to see some statistics to back up this claim.

No, I'm not a "Windows" fanboi, nor linux ...Alright. I hate Mac OSX, but there's my opinion.

*Trying not to get Jess's thread off topic"

[Dark_Desires]

Trioxis i would like some statistics to plz.I had this happen once from a virus screwing the registry up and then it been removed.If u cant do a safe mode boot like Formido said then that would help us help u.

[Jess]

I don't think I can get into Safe Mode at all...the F8 button is broken...

Could it be the battery? because prior to me restarting it, it said "No battery detected".

[Commander Thor]

So I've ruined my computer again

No idea how

I noticed suddenly that the battery icon had a red x, and the hover-over said "No battery detected". later it said plugged but not charging. I tried many times to make sure it charges but I failed. Then I decided to restart my computer, which was the worst mistake ever.

It won't start anymore. I start Windows normally, then I wait for the log in page but it never comes. it's just a black screen. the mouse appears but that's it.

if I do the set up repair, it'll be at "Attempting repairs" for a really really long time which tells me it'll never fix the repairs.

I told my dad about this and I'm hoping he can fix it, but I hope whatever way he fixes it will NOT erase all my files and stuff.

also when I start it, it seems to make an odd clicking noise and my dad said there might be something wrong with the fan. I thought it was the battery though?

will this even be fixable? I just want that reassurance. even if my dad couldn't, would he be able to go to some repair shop and get it fixed there, without my laptop losing any files/data/information/ANYTHING?

If you're looking for reassurance, then the answer is it might be possible. It depends what the clicking sound you heard was. It could be something as simple as the fan, or it could be the hard drive going out. If it is the hard drive, I wouldn't try to use the computer until someone can look at it. Once a hard drive starts clicking, it's basically on it's deathbed, and you need to get all data off of it as soon as possible.
But, pray it's the fan. :P

As far as the battery being bad, it's possible, but I'm not sure it's the probelm here. Batteries don't cause issues like this. However unlikely it may be, you may have just experienced 2 failures at realitively the same time.

[Jess]

I think it's the fan, not the hard drive, because apart from the noise, when I look at the right side, some dust (???) came out...out of some bars or whatever and isn't that where the fan's located?

edit: crap I think it is the hard drive...I found this on google search: "if the drive is clicking, or smoke is coming out of it, there are pretty definitive signs of physical damage."

[anonymous53]

I think it's the fan, not the hard drive, because apart from the noise, when I look at the right side, some dust (???) came out...out of some bars or whatever and isn't that where the fan's located?

edit: crap I think it is the hard drive...I found this on google search: "if the drive is clicking, or smoke is coming out of it, there are pretty definitive signs of physical damage."

Jess, I'd take out the hard drive and turn off the laptop as soon as possible.

Next I'd purchase something similar to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189169
Use that to back up the data if possible.

[Jess]

computer's already off and I have to wait till my dad comes home to take out the hard drive...hopefully nothing bad will happen while I wait..? :/

[anonymous53]

Nah, nothing bad should happen. It should be just fine. :D

[Jess]

k so there's no way my computer can ever be fixed. the hard drive is damaged and I'm waiting for my dad to tell me whether or not he's able to save my files and stuff from it

[anonymous53]

Jess, the computer can be fixed. Modern hard drives can be purchased at the moment for about 60 dollars for a 320gb /500 gb 2.5 inch drive. From there your father would just reinstall the OS.


You have a lot of computer problems :P

[TheMatrix]

Most likely expanation... Your computer has a virus. if you boot up your laptop and go into your BIOS before windows begins to boot then select system recovery you can easily fix your computer. And if you don't want to mess your computer up again. install Ubuntu instead of windows. jsut go to Ubuntu.com, follow the instructions on hwo to install (or just buy the disk) you can quickly get your computer up and running again. to run windows applications just install the Wine windows layer (Preferably the latest versions of each part of the setup for most support on windows applications) Thats what I run since my sister has horrible luck with windows and is bound to mess it up if you give her more than 10 mins on it.
Like I said in my reputation comment: Linux -- especially Ubuntu -- is not the solution to every computer problem. You can't just tell someone to change everything they've been using for the past years to something entirely different.
This issue would have happened regardless of what operating system she was using.

Besides, Ubuntu is overrated. It only screwed up my computer, but that's another story.

k so there's no way my computer can ever be fixed. the hard drive is damaged and I'm waiting for my dad to tell me whether or not he's able to save my files and stuff from it
You may be in bad luck -- sorry about that -- but your files probably can't be saved. You did make backups, right?
Had you noticed this earlier, then there might still have been higher hope.

[Silicate Wielder]

Basically Windows is prone to viruses and there are currently so many virus blockers that its easy to put a fake one in and to claim its a legit copy or that their version works. my sister can easily crash windows in 5 minutes jsut by using it with regular things whiel as ubuntu its hard for her to crash, she just dosn't like the way it looks.


Like I said in my reputation comment: Linux -- especially Ubuntu -- is not the solution to every computer problem. You can't just tell someone to change everything they've been using for the past years to something entirely different.
This issue would have happened regardless of what operating system she was using.

Besides, Ubuntu is overrated. It only screwed up my computer, but that's another story.


You may be in bad luck -- sorry about that -- but your files probably can't be saved. You did make backups, right?
Had you noticed this earlier, then there might still have been higher hope.

Well it depends on your system, before ubuntu 10.10 came out Ubuntu would make my computer slower than the early computers and those issues just go away as newer versions come out. but Yes I knwo ubuntu isn't the solution to everything.

Also if you install CCleaner, you can fix your registery. Trust me, you DO NOT want a really screwed up registery.