hard drive wiped clean...heeeeeelp!

pleeease help me someone, i have come home to find my computer back to day 1, have no recovery cd, getting message windows cannot install,before this happened could get in to see that all files...and i mean all, including software,had been wiped off computer completely,

not sure but i think its reset to factory settings, have i lost everything?
took me 2 yrs to get the thing how i wanted it now everythings gone

...when i swithch on it says windows cannot install then it auto restarts to show same message then...yep u guessed it...auto restarts again..someone help me please????:cry

 

Hello Maria, welcome to Major Geeks.

This must be very worrying but let's back up a bit and take things calmly.

Firstly I think you probably have a slightly different error message so try this.

When you first power up the pc, start tapping the F8 key.
If it transfers to a screen which offers start options choose the first one, called safe mode and see what happens.
If it still won't boot, repeat and look down the list for an option
'last known good configuration.'

If this does not help post exactly whatever error message you get.

If you get it working you will need still need some remedial work so come back for more.

 

studiot is right on asking for this. Without knowing EXACTLY word-for-word what the error message says, there isn't much we can do. If you could also post the make and model of the computer, that would be very helpful.
Don't worry, as long as you don't write any new information to the hard drive, we should be able to 'rebuild' your Windows; at the very least we can probably save most of your data.

 

hi...ok sorry was a bit frantic when i posted last night, ok error message reads

Windows could not complete inistallation,to install windows on this computer restart installation.

Tried to start in safe mode...similar message,

Windows could not complete installatoinin safe mode, to complete installing windows restart computer.

tried last known good configuration...no joy same message,

erm make n model...tower says phillips but bought it from a company called Iqon? OS is windows vista... was windows vista..

sorry if there is anything else you need to know....many thanks studiot n dlb for getting back to me

 

Another Iquon huh?

Was the Vista original or an upgrade?

Is it still under guarantee?

Check again what came with the pc, you are likely to need the recovery DVD. (It's a DVD not a CD for Vista)

 

hi...

no not upgrade it came with vista already installed, the only cd they provided me with is microsoft works 8.5,

i should explain properly what happened, when i switched on comp it was on the pc angel recovery screen, i thought this was strange, but as i hadnt even touched the pc i thought nothing of it, i started windows normally, to my shock horror everything was gone, no files, apps etc, so i thought i would be clever by trying to do a system restore, but it wouldnt let me, so again like an idiot still not getting how serious problem was.

as i couldnt do a system restore i checked in system tools and noticed that under one of my c drives ( I had 2 for some reason) one said missing next to it, i thought if i diasbled this i would be able to go back and open system restore, which i did, but there was no restore points stored. now i know that i had it create restore point auotmatically so when i saw there was no resotre points available i freaked out. I gave the pc to a friend who had a look, so disconnected everything, sent it to him, when he turned it on it would not boot, the message windows cannot complete installation came up, he had a ook said my files were there but i needed the original cd ...dnt have one of these, am confused as to what has happened, had all my anti virus/malware etc software so dnt understand if this is a result of a nasty virus.

am student at uni, have lost everything, i only ever backed up current projects or papers i was writing on a usb, never imagined i would lose everything so never did a full back-up..i know you mite think is realy stupid but honest to god im so devasted. i dnt understand my friend said the stuff is there but i need to be able to boot to recover evrything, but now i cnt boot...argghhhhh please give me hope, should i try to get a cd, how can i do this?..

i bought the pc feb last yr so not sure if under guarantee still but trust me i paid over £650 for it i will have a massive tantrum if they dnt send me one, as this has just happened on fri, due to holidays im unable to call iqon will try them on tuesday.

if my friend can see these files, but annot access them what does this mean?

am grateful for any help on this

 

I don't think this is virus related although it's always possible.

I don't know how you set your windows updates to work but Windows has a nasty habit of sometimes bombing out if you shut down in the middle of installing an update (which you may not even realise is happening in the background). There have been several reports of Vista failing to boot after faulty or half finished updates.

Unless Iquon have installed them on the hard drive (look in you manual for a Function key to activate) you will need a Vista DVD to activate the System Recovery Tools.

Your best bet is to speak to your college IT deptment, as any Vista DVD will do. So you can borrow one. I don't recommend trying the repair yourself, but if you can get the SRT working come back for more guidance on how to use the tool.

 

would booting a live version of linux maybe help her get to see if there are any files on the computer?

anytime dormies say that cant boot their computer i ren a live version with them so they can atleast have copies of all their important files..

 

Very possibly but Maria has already suffered from semi expert friends by the sound of things..

 

it does appear that way. I dont have the solution except what was already mentioned and call the manufacturer. I know there are a ton of live versions with different abilities and programs with them- I dont recommend them(because ive never used them on my own so i dont know the outcome) but still there are a few simple versions that are just the OS that would allow her access to transfer her papers off of the drive until she can get it fixed..

would a live version cause any problems? I was always under the impression that it wouldnt unless you started deleting files and such.. anyway its an idea- not to fix, only as a stop gap?

 

hi studiot, hello sniperhunter, ...have new info ...is it possible my computer whilst booting went on to system recovery, then set back to factory settings through this channel...if so are my files lost forever?

also studiot, im a bit sad to say this but I have no confindence in what the person said to me when he took my tower, im not good at this comp stuff but he said he could see my files but needed the boot cd to get to them, now that ive read what sniperhunter has written do you think it is at all possible to get files the way he said...if so pease tell me how, have stopped crying but now just determined to understand what has happened and hopefully get it fixed...im just not ready to accept that the files are gone forever?

tried to call iqon after 27 mins..thats £41, at £1.50, they told me that there is no recovery dvd available as my comp cam installed with the software which is able to re-install it?...i couldn't do the tantrum thing cos i got a bit happy n thght it was all going to be ok...however, im unable to even access my start menu, can i give you the instructions i have and u tell me if i should try fix it like this...if not then i will try to get hold of dvd in another way?....pls help

ps what is linux?:confused

 

Linux is a free OS- lets just assume its generally not for standard users


I do not want to give false hope or impressions Maria. As much is possible the folk on the forum need as much info as possible as to what has been done, and what was said in refrence to your computer.

linux live may or may not work in your situation. As i have no other way to communicate with those on the forum that are experts, i can only make suggestions to them in public. SO please understand that depending on various factors (what has been done to your computer), my suggestion may not be of any help.

so perhaps now, Just focus on giving more specific details as to what has been done and said. and later perhaps we can talk about Live ok? Hang in there!

 

Since your pc is actually working it may be possible to recover some of the lost files. If it's been reset to factory settings, you should be able to get into the safe mode administrator.

This can be an expensive business, but you could look here for some freeware.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads38.html


The point is (simplified) that any data is stored in a different place on the hard drive from windows and the programs.

Manufacturers restore simply copies a standard copy of Windows into the Windows/program area and may have left at least some of the Data intact.

I still recommend you go to your University IT dept (show them this post) and explain that your work is (was ) somewhere on the drive.

Since Iquon didn't help I wouldn't pay them. They should also have known what I just said.

You still haven't mentioned what it says in your manual. You might have a case against Iquon through trading standards.

 

this is the problem...no one touched the comp...i came home it was on, i did not leave it on, n when i restarted I found everything was gone, honestly no body in the house has come forward to say they touched, although im bit sus abt it, i doubt anyone would be so cruel?...so im left here completely lost and now with yr news probably lost everythnig forever, and whats really annoying here is i dnt have a clue what went wrong, at least if i had steps to trace could guess wat hapnd n try sort it out, im lost here, no clue at all...

i will ait to hear from studiot as im still clinging on to hope here!

many thanx

 

hi studiot..sorry just read message after i posted last reply....

have referred to manual which says to press f10 at boot, which i have done, it brings me to the screen i found when i discovered my computer the other day, the menu gives the following otions of which im not sure what any of them mean as there is no full instructions on this in manual, i think the choices are suposed to speak for themselves but we are dealing with ME here.

I know im asking for help and not able to give you much info, but pls could you tell me which one i could go for to get windos runnig again...

the menu chioces under the pc angel system recovery are:

microsoft system restore

recovery with automatic data backup

full factory recovery

advance options.

now as this is the screen i found when i returned home, im worried that on the list there is a factory restore....again sorry i cnt take you back to beginning...in the dark here to

as always your help is much appreciated

do you know which one i should have a go on to restore windows?

thankyou again

 

ps...if i go for any of these options...will it overwrite any files that might still be there

also...thanks for the link studiot,but which one am i looking at here...there are so many....im so sorry...i need my hand holding here

you were right however, iqon said that they do not supply dvd, the comp comes with vista already installed, and if i needed to re-install i would need to go to system recovery...not very helpful but i guess they are with you guys in that i am unable to give any real info on what exactly was the cause of all of this in the first place...so not in a position to say whats helpful or not as far as iqon are concerned.

i will try to see what uni say but i guess if there is a copy already on here i need some advice on which otion i should go for to re-install

should i have a go at above menu options and see what happens (scared however that if files are still around i will overwrite them)

or should i just give up now......im lost

studiot whats the best time to catch you on here? im going mad talking to myself...pleeeeease?

 

Well the good news is that if this was genuinely the screen you came home to, you have a god chance of getting it all back, which is what I said in my first reply.

The items are a menu so you choose which one you run. So don't worry about factory restore unless you really need it.

the items are arranged in order of aggressiveness so start with the first one

Microsoft system restore.

You will see a screen with a calendar highlighting any dates which the system can be restored to. Choose the nearest one before the bad event and press return. The restore is automatic and will tell you when it has finished and if it was successful. Allow the program to reboot the pc as it wants to.

If this works out (most likely) you will not have lost any data, just any programs you have installed since the date you restored to.

The next option also works without loosing any data, but some programs, particularly antivirus, will be 'broken' these will need to be uninstalled and reinstalled.

With the factory restore you will loose data and programs, without very special recovery techniques.

I doubt the advanced options will be of much use to you.

By the way, your data is th output of your programs, spreadsheets, drawings or whatever you do for your studies.

Let us know how you get on.

 

tried the first one...the only date available was 2 days ago...after it all went wrong...will go on and try second one

can i just clarify

if i restore to factory settings...all my data will be gone, but does this mean there is no software out there that will help me to get it back or is this a forever thing?

 

errr...scrap that have just read again what you said about freeware link...im going to have a go at second choice on menu..if this fails i will try to factory settings re-install OS then try to recover data...

i cant afford to send to proffessional, im stuck here unless i have a go..the worst thing that could hapen is i lose data i have almost resolved having already lost...sooo...if it comes good yay..if not...shoot me:cry

many thanx for all the advice

 

Hold on, if you do a full factory reinstall it will be harder to get back your data.

I don't have Vista but when you go to My Computer and look at the C: drive how large is it? How much space is used? I'm curious because you said you had two C: drives.

 

i cant look at my c drive unless i can boot...which is why im considering re-install as i have no dvd for the vista, manufacturers told me it comes already installed, but its not booting, when i could get in before this guy took my comp, i cld see 2 drives with c:/ next to it one said missing, as i couldnt get into system restore i disable it, now i know this is not the cause of vista failing as it was still working afterwards...

i know data retreval is hard...how hard is what i need to know...because without being able to get vista running, i have no chance anyway, not to mention the fact that the comp is now useless, at least if i get vista running, i can try to get data back after, websites all say its not lost forever, but i think studiot as saying if i go this route i may need specialist help...but i did not get if he menat proffesionals...or software...

 

What happens with option 2

'recovery with automatic data backup'?

Let's not worry about a full reinstall unless it's proved you actually need to do one.

 

Also try this

When you power the pc
up start tapping F8. (note not F10)

What options appear?

In particular do you see something called

'startup repair'

 

I don't want to interfere, but I just want to explain how data recovery works.

Think of your HD as an apartment building. With each apartment being a piece of information. If you write a term paper it may be stored in 6 different apartments. Your computer keeps track of which apartments your paper is in and in which order to get the information and put it back together when you open the file. It does not care which floor the information is on. So your paper may be in apartment 1A, 4F, 6E, 12L, 3B and 7M. In other words, spread out over the whole building.

If you reformat and reinstall, the new installation will take up the first 4 floors of you apartment building because it is a fresh install. If you then try to put your term paper back together you can never get the parts 1A, 4F and 3B--they are lost forever.

So the trick to data recovery is to make as few changes to the HD as possible until you get what you need off of it. Programs can be replaced but if you have personal work on the computer you should consider taking the HD out and connecting it to another computer as a slave drive to copy the files before reformatting. It is the safest way.

*********
I still can't quite believe that your computer could take you back to factory settings without any keyboard input. There are usually several warnings during the process. That is why I am in this thread, I'm wondering if something is going on and your original installation is still there.

 

got a glimpse of a message that flashed on screen but disappeared too quickly but it said that backup failed.......something something...

i have checked the options under f8 and there is no start up repair
but there is repair your computer...which takes me to the pc angel system recovery center.

i have safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt

a bit further down is all the enable/disable stuff not sure if relevant

Sach2 thnaks for the advice, dnt think i could pull that off, dnt have second tower either just a laptop.

already running around in the dark, asking for help and expecting others to run around in the dark with me....i will allow myself to laugh at this one b'cos ive almost had it...

sach2 i also agree that there is really a slim chance this just happened out of the blue, someone touched it, but if i have no confessions, i have no info as to what they did..and so the mystery continues...thats really the big problem with my problem...cnt fix it till i now what got unfixed????

 

Did you try starting in safe mode? I'd like to know how much space is being used by your c: drive.

 

yes i have....will not start in safe mode see my other post for the exact message that comes up....

tried last good configuration, tried microsoft system recovery...

think ive tried whatever options that are the least drastic...but it looks like the problem may be quite big...complete system failure i dnt now anymore.....
Im hanging on because evertime i log in there is a new route to take so i want to keep on in case one of them works...

everyone trying to help but as i said in last post its like the blind leading the blind here...by the end of this thread we might have a full manual of troubleshooting for other users!!!

the only thing i have not yet done is full factory reset which im not sure if it will make things harder, i have read instructions on how to re-install OS but its been advised that this should be last resort...i have to keep trying all other options, keep missing everyone and often im on here every chance i get..still missing everyone...so its a slow process because i dnt want to do anything on my own...how sad...but im no good at this stuff....

really the comp is useless at mo. cnt even boot in safe mode:cry