Mega computer emergency

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:59 pm

Was working on a very important legal paper on my computer last eve. Woke up this morning - blue screen of death. First time ever. Now it just restarts over and over and over. 20 secs of drive activity, black screen only, and shuts down and restarts again. Tried F8, no luck. Tried a Windows7 recovery disc, same.

Anyone who can help me get into this comp to get my file off gets 2 free bottles of cantilllon and a growler of 6 year old baltic porter.

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:29 pm

If you have access to another computer, I'd look at creating an Ubuntu Live CD, try booting your dead computer from that CD and see if you can gain access to your files that way. We've done something similar in the past, with mixed results.

CorneliusAlphonse · Post by **CorneliusAlphonse** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:30 pm

Yep what Derek said. I might have one at home I'll check tonight

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:33 pm

Going to look now. Any links? [MAN PRAYING TO GOD WITH BEER IN HAND]

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:36 pm

Http://www.ubuntu.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:36 pm

Older computer or newer? CD or DVD drive?

CorneliusAlphonse · Post by **CorneliusAlphonse** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:38 pm

You can install it on a clean USB stick and boot from there, just slightly more complicated

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:47 pm

It's a bit of a Frankenstein that Greg put together for me. Windows 7 with 4 gigs of RAM. Pretty solid machine for the last couple years, never an issue. Unbelievable timing. Speechless....

CartoonCod · Post by **CartoonCod** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:06 pm

You could always try taking out the hard drive and mounting it to another computer. You might be able to grab your files from it at least if the drive is still working.

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:15 pm

No dice with Unbuntu

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:16 pm

CartoonCod wrote:You could always try taking out the hard drive and mounting it to another computer. You might be able to grab your files from it at least if the drive is still working.

Don't have another desktop. :guillotine:

AllanMar · Post by **AllanMar** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:20 pm

mr x wrote:No dice with Unbuntu

Couldn't recover the data, or couldnt get ubuntu to run on the computer? The later is probably a good sign for the data.

mumblecrunch · Post by **mumblecrunch** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:21 pm

CartoonCod wrote:You could always try taking out the hard drive and mounting it to another computer. You might be able to grab your files from it at least if the drive is still working.

This.

It doesn't sound like you're even seeing a boot screen or even a BIOS post. That sort of implies one of two scenarios: the drive is totally fux or there's another problem with the machine's hardware.

In the first case, your only real hope is a drive recovery outfit (assuming it's worth the cost), and the less you powercycle that drive the better their chances of recovering the data are.

In the second case, the drive is fine, your computer is to some degree hosed and you should be able to access whatever's on the drive. In that case what you need is something like this (guaranteed there's a computer shop somewhere in NG that can sell you one) and a working computer to plug it into (anything with a USB port).

Good luck.

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:23 pm

Nope, still just a black screen. Unfortunately, I don't have time to wait on luck. There goes a day or two.

the-mailman · Post by **the-mailman** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:35 pm

I know it's too late for this loss but when you get up and running check this backup software out. It runs in the background and copies all your important files, including new ones, to another computer running the same software, either yours or a friends. Works great and has saved my butt many times when I thought all was lost. It's free too. I'm sure there are others out there but this is my favourite.

https://www.code42.com/crashplan/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AllanMar · Post by **AllanMar** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:35 pm

Got any USB external harddrives? Inside they'll have your standard SATA connection 99% of the time. which should match your HDD in the computer (unless its really really old).

If not, your best bet is to buy an adapter as mentioned above or get someone with a desktop to try the HDD for you.

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:39 pm

Off to see Greg. fingers crossed. Thanks all for the advice so far.

CartoonCod · Post by **CartoonCod** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:52 pm

If your in halifax, a computer guy I work would probably be able to plug in your hard drive tomorrow. I could pick it up tonight and have it back to you tomorrow evening.

GAM · Post by **GAM** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 3:05 pm

I have an external case and we can see id the drive will work in that. I'm off at 5:00.

S

Post by **mr x** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:41 pm

I win!!!!

Thanks all for the offers and advice.

RAMaster Nash stomped the info off the bastard over some Bad Apple APA. Saved my ass fo' sho'.

New brewery coming along well too.

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:43 pm

Excellent!

CorneliusAlphonse · Post by **CorneliusAlphonse** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:13 pm

NASH · Post by **NASH** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:43 pm

That's right dot com #bitches #boom!!!

NASH · Post by **NASH** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:44 pm

Happy I was able to help