Harddrive issues. Please help.

[Spec-Kie]

alright guys, Just a quick question?. Thing is i have a laptop at home it my brothers. Acer Aspire 5551 a series, Thing is he brought it to me saying that windows would not boot, I have tried start up repair, no luck gets stuck on start up, and i cant try anything else as i can access windows, Thing is i basically said that we will have to back it up and then format the drive?. thing is when i put it into a caddy to back the few files that he needs, it say system reserved, and then F:/ but when i go to access it it wants me to format it that is there any way i can access these files?? Cheers guys..

 

[jonbanjo]

Try a live Linux CD.

Knoppix has been a sort of favourite for rescue tasks but you could try any distribution that offers a live version.

 

[Spec-Kie]

i have gparted will that work?

 

[jonbanjo]

GParted is a disk partitioner. I don't think it has anything in it that would enable you to read files.

It is one of the tools on the Knoppix (and other) live linux CDs. btw.

 

[Spec-Kie]

right i have dont every thing i need to with knoppix, The hard drive will not format through windows install, what do i format my drive at through gparted? i am install windows 7 hp x64, cheers.

 

[jonbanjo]

That's the last resort.

I'm assuming the disk ntfs. If the disk is corrupt, you could try ntfsfix

If it can't be fixed for Windows, you might still be able to read and write files. Try opening a file manager. You may be able to replace a broken file or save some stuff to a USB drive.

 

[jonbanjo]

Actually, reading again, I think I misread your last post. Perhaps I should have said, yes, if you've done all you need with Knoppix, go ahead and partition with GParted and reinstall Windows.

 

[Spec-Kie]

yeah all sorted now thanks guys that knoppix is a cracking tool to have, Thank you guys, all sorted now cheers.

 

[unnamedny]

are you sure its a hard drive? sounds like some system files are missing pr you had a virus. Reinstalling your windows is not going to erase everything unless you choose to format ypur disk/partition first.

 

[Spec-Kie]

unanmedny, i had to do a full wipe and reinstall on it was propa messed up like. All sorted now though,

 

[Davdi]

And now it's running Windows again, you are running Anti-Virus and a decent firewall.... aren't you?

A/V software - Avast or AVG free
Firewall - Comodo Free
plus Spybot Search & Destroy - These will give you a Basic free security pack