Laptop Trouble

[Lesley_tech]

Hey there edugeeker's

One of the laptops installed a windows update yesterday and done the usual reboot but now it gets as far as putting in the boot password - Click enter and thats it black no more loading the hard drive light flashes once. I have tried Safe Mode, Last Configuration etc and nothing will work. Does this mean I got to do something with the hard drive! I hope not!!!! Please Help

[kmount]

Hi Lesley,

Do you know which windows update it was?

Depending upon the information held thereon, I'd just reimage/install it again, or try a linux bootcd to recover the info from it.

[Lesley_tech]

I think it was just a security update.. Not sure! Thanks

[kmount]

Is the info on there important?

[Lesley_tech]

yeah the info on the laptop is reasonably importaint =( Eek

[kmount]

Either a bootable CD to access the hard disk or take the disk out and put it into a usb caddy.

[lionsl2005]

ERDcommander will help you to preboot to OS. you can access the necessary files.

[imiddleton25]

ERD is a great tool as not only can you access files but you can remove the updates from there as well and hopefully get the laptop working again.

[Brpilot99]

Try booting from an xp disc .... say yes to everything (dont ask it to go to the repair console) .. go past where it asks you to press f8 ..
the next screen should give you an option to repair windows ...
If that options not there then windows is smashed in a big way ... if it is then use that option and it will re-install loads of system stuff and hopefully get you back in shape !!

Ive used this numerous times and it always gets me out of trouble !!

[Brpilot99]

P.S Assume its XP?

[Lesley_tech]

Thanks All! Will be trying all of the methods you have given me- And yes its an xp laptop )

[Michael]

Hi Lesley,

By the sounds of things the laptop is booting and you're able to see the XP logo, (as well as advanced options pressing F8) but then do you see the logon or Welcome screen?

[Lesley_tech]

Hi, I dont even see the Windows xp logo just does all the bios and boot check etc and then black screen.

[Lesley_tech]

That aint going to format my system or anything tho is it? lol

[Michael]

Can you boot from an XP CD, get into the Recovery Console and then type:

fixmbr

It sounds to me as if this is possibly corrupt stopping Windows from loading.