[wytewidow]

yea its not working

it's on a DVD because it says RECOVERY DVD

i have set the laptop to boot the DVD but nothing happens so im kinda in another rut. sigh

EDIT: managed to get it to work. thing im afraid of now is that theres a disclaimer saying that all files will be lost during the recovery process which is what i do not want to happen. is it 100% that it will wipe my information or are they just saying that to cover their ***. I know that it will access my harddrive and then hopefully it will turn the laptop back to the last restore point. I dont want it to reformat everything

[markomus]

Ugh!!! I feel just TERRIBLE this didn't work!

Yes, it probably will delete your files. To rescue your files, we're going to try to boot up into a different operating system, copy your files to a USB drive, and transfer them to another computer:

(1) Download and burn to a CD a copy of the latest Linux Ubuntu so that you have what's called a Live CD.
(2) Boot your laptop with that CD, but DO NOT choose to Install. Choose "Try Ubuntu...." This won't do anything to your system. It loads a session of Ubuntu into memory.
(3) Once Ubuntu is loaded, there should be a place in the task bar called Places. Click on that and then select xxxGB Media (Where the xxx corresponds to your HD size. That should be your HD).
(4) Once you've done that, it will "mount" the hard drive so you can access it and open a dialog box. You'll start to see familiar file folders.
(5) Next insert your USB drive. This should be automatically recognized by Ubuntu. If not, of course, post back and we'll drive off that bridge if we have to.
(6) With the USB drive automatically detected and added to the list, right click on it and choose "Open in a new window."
(7) From here, you'll go into your Documents and Settings (on your hard drive), find and open the user name you use, then look for My Documents and any other folders/files you might want to back up.
(8) Copy the files/folders to the USB drive. As it fills up, of course, remove it and dump to another computer.
(9) Once you have your files backed up and verified you can reinstall using your recovery cd.

Again, I'm SO sorry this didn't work! Usually that solves things (for me). I hope that you are successful in recovering your files.

[TBH-LSVC]

Looking back at the 27th post where I told you that you need to backup your files through a live OS before using the recovery disc in order to reinstall windows because everything on the laptop would be deleted. Now that markomus covered for you how to make a bootable live cd and backup files, you only have then to insert the recovery dvd, and follow the steps. If you find problems downloading large files for Ubuntu you may try connecting the HDD into another computer and backing up files, or using a PE live cd.

[wytewidow]

well i went to get a USB to SATA portable case then basically just unscrewed the laptop took the harddrive out then fixed it to the case and im currently transferring all the information out. im unwilling to take anymore risks with regards to the software issues. haha sorry guys but i thought this would be the faster + safer option

cheers

its taking forever but at least it's working

[markomus]

It is the better option--I just wasn't sure if you were tech savvy enough to do it, so I opted for something I thought ALMOST anyone might be able to do.

[wytewidow]

i wasnt sure i could do it ether but im transferring the files as we speak :P

hey how do i access the files that were on my desktop and in my documents folder. it says i need some security privilege and then when i press continue it just takes forever and nothing happens. pfft.

thanks for posting everything though i appreciate it

[markomus]

You need to take ownership of the folder and all subfolders. I forgot the exact sequence for doing this, but you need to right click on the folder and get into the security section to do it. I can always manage to do it when I'm on the job, but try and get me to spell it out and I'm lost. Needless to say I haven't ever won any spelling bees.

[wytewidow]

im just trying to brute force my way in by copying the entire folder without doing the security section. but now you mention it. if my stuff is still not inside. ill do that. it's such a pain in the *** because it's really effing slow.

[TBH-LSVC]

Hey wytewidow, how is backup going?

[wytewidow]

Originally Posted by TBH-LSVC

Hey wytewidow, how is backup going?

Heya TBH-LSVC, I backed up everything and put the HD back into the laptop. Using the Recovery Disk, I got it to only work on the OS part of my HD because it was partitioned into 2 parts. So basically 1 side of my HD was untouched which was a pleasant suprise

all in all took about 5-6 hours to download everything out and reinstall the drivers everything is working now!

still looking to buy a new laptop tho. i was thinking the m51 by asus. it's going at slightly less than a 1000AUD dollars you think its worth it?

[TBH-LSVC]

Glad to hear problem solved!
Well, the m51 is fine, especially with Geforce 9500, but I see that you like Asus. Have you seen reviews of other brands, such as HP, Dell, Sony? Not that Asus are not good, they are good, but just have a look.