First of all, hi there.

Next, I've got a bit of a problem. My sister's computer appears to be a bit messed up. Basically, every time it turns on, it goes to the 'error/safe mode' screen. On every option there (safe mode/safe mode w networking/safe mode w command prompt/last known working configuration/start windows normally), the computer goes to the XP loading page, but then resets before it reaches the desktop. I've tried numerous times, and it always resets itself.

It's a Packard Bell machine, a few years old, I could probably find the details if really required.

Basically, I want to know how (if at all) I can fix this, and if it will be possible to save the data on the system. My sister had a lot of work and photos on the machine and it would be a terrible shame to see them lost.


Thanks in advance for any help, it's greatly appreciated

I have exactly the same problem as this, except on a fujitsu siemens, it will be interesting to see if it is possible to fix....

sorry i couldnt help, i have a thread going on at the moment about this problem. Hopefully somebody can help to sort it out!

the damsel

Getting the specific Packard-Bell model will help. We can then lookup specific Recovery options:

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/

Do you have Recovery disks?

In a worse case scenario you can slave this drive in another computer to extract the data before reloading XP but there might also be some Recovery options on your Packard-Bell disks.

It's the packard bell iMedia 5091

packard bell iMedia 5091

http://support.packardbell.co.uk/uk/...&pn=P660400601

Where is the Windows XP Installation CD?

http://support.packardbell.co.uk/uk/...ppn=P660400601

With the Packard Bell Recovery Program you can restore the computer to its original state as when you acquired it. At the same time, it offers you the possibility to maintain the current configuration and personal data. This recovery process does not require any CD and it only takes approximately 10 minutes. You can start this process by pressing <F11> at start-up, or by clicking the appropriate icon in SmartRestore. Please refer to the chapter on Recovery in your User's Guide.

Well, I tried doing the stuff the website and recovery programs said, but apparently my computer's more damaged than before. When I turn it on it says 'Operating system missing'. When I turn it on with the recovery disk in it won't work at all. So basically, it looks pretty screwed.

Anything I can do, or it is worth investing in a new PC or even a laptop?

So you ran the Recovery Program via F11?

And then the boot said: Operating System missing?

Where did this Recovery disk come from? Had you created a Master DVD as shown in that link?

Are you sure that the BIOS is set to boot the DVD/CD drive prior to the HDD?

Can you access the Recovery program again (F11)?

This is pressing F11 right at Power on.

If this process is indicating no OS then the Recovery partition might have been damaged.

Again you can slave this drive to extract any data you want.



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