MAJOR Computer Problem

[Mike M]

I was rebooting my Compaq computer last night because I installed an update for Norton, and I get this error that says something along the lines of "Disk Boot Failure - Insert Disk and Reboot." The screen is also appearing very blurry. Is this a sign of a harddrive failure? If so, if I send this to a computer repair shop will they back up my files? Someone please help! I'm worried that all my important files will be gone!
 

[lfmusiclover]

What operating system were you using?

[Mike M]

Windows XP Media Center 2005, service pack 2

[TWCToday]

Do you see any indications of your OS starting up? Try tapping F8 after the BIOS screen and see if you get any options to boot in safe mode or last good know configuration. Also how old is your computer?

[lfmusiclover]

Put in your XP CD. Boot from it, and at some point you'll be asked if you want to repair XP or install a clean copy. Do the repair. This will repair windows, but leave all other files intact.

[Mike M]

It's about three years old. All it shows is the Compaq screen with the system recovery/setup/boot menu options on the bottom, then it shows me the system boot error. Also, my computer didn't come with an XP CD (not sure why). It was preinstalled on the computer.

[lfmusiclover]

It's about three years old. All it shows is the Compaq screen with the system recovery/setup/boot menu options on the bottom, then it shows me the system boot error. Also, my computer didn't come with an XP CD (not sure why). It was preinstalled on the computer.

Then try Compaq's recovery option that you speak of.

[jtmal0723]

If only you actually lived near by, I would offer to have you come over to my house and I would fix your computer for free, and probably make it better than it was before, lol... But alas, you don't

I would not recommend what Gary has said, most recovery options would overwrite your C: partition, thus you would lose your files completely.

[Mike M]

Tried that, and I still get the disk boot error.

Well, I live only like a half hour from you (if not less), though probably not close enough that I'd stop over.

[lfmusiclover]

If only you actually lived near by, I would offer to have you come over to my house and I would fix your computer for free, and probably make it better than it was before, lol... But alas, you don't

I would not recommend what Gary has said, most recovery options would overwrite your C: partition, thus you would lose your files completely.

I wouldn't want you to work on my computer. 

Actually, the truth is that recovery programs are not meant to write over your files. Their supposed to recover the operating system back to a usable state.

BTW, I repair and sell computers for a living. So I do have some idea of what I'm talking about. 

[jtmal0723]

If only you actually lived near by, I would offer to have you come over to my house and I would fix your computer for free, and probably make it better than it was before, lol... But alas, you don't

I would not recommend what Gary has said, most recovery options would overwrite your C: partition, thus you would lose your files completely.

I wouldn't want you to work on my computer. 

Actually, the truth is that recovery programs are not meant to write over your files. Their supposed to recover the operating system back to a usable state.

BTW, I repair and sell computers for a living. So I do have some idea of what I'm talking about. 

Even know I know more than the average user, and used to sell computers and equipment in the past, I wouldn't be the one to work on it, I'd invite my significant other of 10 months to do it, since he works in IT and such... My recovery program overwrites my C: partition and I lose all of my files :/ Same for all of the other 2 laptops I have had in the past so I don't know. If you run a repair install of Windows XP, then yes, you won't lose your files.

[Gil]

let's put an end to the ginormous pissing contest before it starts.

I would do what Gary says, but that's just me.


My final statement: Macintosh.

[jtmal0723]

let's put an end to the ginormous pissing contest before it starts.

I would do what Gary says, but that's just me.


My final statement: Macintosh.

I could rebut that response with Linux, but I won't. I prefer Windows over OS X.

[Mike M]

So if using system recovery doesn't work and my computer didn't come with an XP disk, is my only option to send it to a repairshop for service?

[lfmusiclover]

Yeah those seem to me to be your only options. If your lucky they'll be able to save your data. But it may be too late.