[Bullfrog]

Hello... I'm having problems with my laptop.
Specs and issue follow:

Specifications provided by CNET

COMPAQ PRESARIO F730US

• Part Number:GR967UA#ABA

General

• Recommended Use Home use
• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers , Wireless LAN antenna
• Width 14.1 in
• Depth 10.1 in
• Height 1.6 in
• Weight 6.6 lbs

Processor

• Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-55 / 1.8 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Chipset type NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150

Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 512 KB

RAM

• Installed Size 1 GB / 2 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• RAM form factor SO DIMM 200-pin
• RAM configuration features 2 x 512 MB

Storage Controller

• Storage controller type Serial ATA
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

Optical Storage

• Type DVD?RW (+R DL) / DVD-RAM
• Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology

Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

Display

• Display Type 15.4 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features BrightView

Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150
• Video Memory Shared video memory (UMA)
• Max Allocated RAM Size 288 MB

Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio output compliant standards Sound Blaster Pro
• Audio Output Features Altec Lansing speakers
• Audio Input None

Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard , Touchpad , QuickPlay

Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps

Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data link protocol Ethernet , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , Fast Ethernet
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g

Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin
• Interfaces 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A , 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11 , 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 , 1 x Display / video - S-video output - 7 pin mini-DIN , 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1 x Docking / port replicator , 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm

Power

• Power device form factor External

Battery

• Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1

Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista , Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Software AOL , RealRhapsody , Microsoft Works , Adobe Acrobat Reader , HP Photosmart Premier , Roxio DigitalMedia Plus , Microsoft Internet Explorer , Muvee autoProducer DVD Edition , Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 days subscription) , Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (Trial)

Environmental Standards

• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
• EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes

Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year , Technical support - Software - 1 year

I'va had Vista running for about a year without any problems, I also had DeepFreeze and Norton 360 installed for virus protection. One day, I "unfroze" DeepFreeze, rebooted and let Norton 360 do a virus and spyware scan (Norton told me to, lol) while I configured my FireFox bookmarks. I had finished my bookmark configuration and shut down FireFox, Norton was still running. I checked back about an hour later only to find my PC had froze.

UH OH!!!

I held down the power button until the PC shut off, then I rebooted and everything loaded fine, until the logon screen... I typed in my password and hit enter, Welcome came up with the throbber. That loaded for SIX HOURS! Finally, took me to my desktop, but only showed half the taskbar... no icons or background. No controls worked.

I thought back to when Norton was running... I think it said, 1 problem found. But also said 1 problem fixed. I didn't have time to look at it because the system froze.

I rebooted and tried to log in about five times, then just said screw it... I shut down and ran DBAN under Autonuke mode and an hour later that finished. Then I ran my Windows Vista Home Premium System Recovery DVD I received from Compaq. Came with the laptop. That booted like normal, ran normal, wiped my drive, and installed Vista. Now, it tells me to reboot, which is normal. As I did.

(I have run this DVD millions of times before to fend off the guilt of not having a fresh install, No scratches on the disk either.) Now the system usually runs, reboots, runs, reboots, just installing software... it's normal. About a half an hours time to finish.

THIS TIME WAS DIFFERENT...
I rebooted, and took the DVD out, then waited for the little screen to come up where it tells me "Installing Software, do not shut down your computer." The PC cycled through about two normal shutdowns, then reboots me to a black screen... FUKC!

The black screen stated:

    Windows Boot Manager
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause.
To fix the problem:

1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next"
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disk, contact your system administrator
or computer manufacturer for assistance.
           
File: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
           
           Status: 0xc000000f

           Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because
the application is missing or corrupt.

So what happened?
Why was my PC running slow in the first place (not letting me log on)?
Why is this screen coming up?
How do I fix it?

I have searched Google but found nothing, called Micro$hit and Compaq but nobody wants to help, the techs are retarded too... Anyway, I've taken the time to do my research, and I spent an hour typing this here for HOPEFUL help.

I'm usually pretty tech savvy... so hit me with some terms. I'm DEFINATELY not illiterate or new to computers.

I'm running Ubuntu right now, thought I'd stick with it, but I miss Vista.
I liked it...

PLEASE HELP!!!
Bullfrog @ www.bullfrog.110mb.com

[aka Brett]

I wouldnt talk about torrents on here ..this is a pure legal site.
Anyway..why not just start over with the vista dvd?
Delete the partiton and start over

[Bullfrog]

Originally Posted by brett888

I wouldnt talk about torrents on here ..this is a pure legal site.
Anyway..why not just start over with the vista dvd?
Delete the partiton and start over

<sarcasm>Hmmm, I wonder why I didn't think of that...</sarcasm>
Don't know if you noticed, I'm kinda trying to... I get errors, that is the point of this thread.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by Bullfrog

<sarcasm>Hmmm, I wonder why I didn't think of that...</sarcasm>
Don't know if you noticed, I'm kinda trying to... I get errors, that is the point of this thread.

I read your post like you had tried to install vista then got the error and didnt try to install it again.
It is possible to get a hiccup along the way installing an an os.

[Bullfrog]

Yes... this is my third try, each time running DBAN before restoring.
I AM able to successfully install and run Ubuntu, XP and 7 with NO problems.

I just REALLY need this copy...

[aka Brett]

I use an xp cd to do my partitioning even if i an going to put on vista.
There is something retarded about vista and it doesnt read the entire drive when booted into the dvd..mixing up letters and so on.

Not to familiar with DBAN.

if you do have a problem with your dvd ..i use toothpaste and a t shirt to buff down the scratches.
have fixed many a games the same way that looked good..but if the scratch is just right it makes the lazer shoot crooked