Windows Did Not Start Successfully (Will All Files Be Deleted?)

Sorry, this question has been asked a lot, but I really need help. I don't
know much about computers (I'm fourteen, and this is the first time I'm
asking for help here).

"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully.
A recent hardware or software change may have caused this."
I have tried all options, but it brings me back to that screen.

It was during the night that I updated Internet Explorer 6 to Internet
Explorer 7. It asked me questions about updating Windows or something (I
barely remember). After that I restarted my Windows XP computer, and it was
fine. I then downloaded installed Adobe Photoshop Elements, then uninstalled
it right after I realized I didn't need it. I don't think Adobe was the
reason that my computer "crashed." Then the next day, that error message
appeared (and my life was ruined).

I want to know if all the files in my crashed computer will be gone. How do
I prevent that from happening? The CPU is at my uncle's house, but if ever
he's not able to fix it, how do I get back the files? I really need them for
school. Help, please! And thank you.

P.S. I hate being responsible for a "crashed" computer, especially if all
the files will be gone. I hope there's an easy way to get them back or to
prevent them from being deleted.

Lionheart wrote:
> Sorry, this question has been asked a lot, but I really need help. I don't
> know much about computers (I'm fourteen, and this is the first time I'm
> asking for help here).
>
> "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully.
> A recent hardware or software change may have caused this."
> I have tried all options, but it brings me back to that screen.
>
> It was during the night that I updated Internet Explorer 6 to Internet
> Explorer 7. It asked me questions about updating Windows or something (I
> barely remember). After that I restarted my Windows XP computer, and it was
> fine. I then downloaded installed Adobe Photoshop Elements, then uninstalled
> it right after I realized I didn't need it. I don't think Adobe was the
> reason that my computer "crashed." Then the next day, that error message
> appeared (and my life was ruined).
>
> I want to know if all the files in my crashed computer will be gone. How do
> I prevent that from happening? The CPU is at my uncle's house, but if ever
> he's not able to fix it, how do I get back the files? I really need them for
> school. Help, please! And thank you.
>
> P.S. I hate being responsible for a "crashed" computer, especially if all
> the files will be gone. I hope there's an easy way to get them back or to
> prevent them from being deleted.

If you do a destructive reinstall from an OEM copy, the files will be
gone. If you can do a repair install that doesn't warn that all data
will be deleted, you will most likely be able to salvage the files. You
can put the hard drive in another computer and copy the needed files,
then replace the hard drive, reinstall Windows.

Before doing any of these, post what error messages you get; it's
possible there's another way around this.

--
Joe =o)

[angs5]

My son tried downloading the zune software....he said that the computer still wouldnt recognize his zune, i asked him if he restarted the computer, he said no and when he restarted it I was left with the blue screen ...ect.... It went into recovery copied files... and now Ive lost all my demolition and trucking company files....is there a way go back?

"angs5" <angs5.3atgrg@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message news:angs5.3atgrg@DoNotSpam.com...
|
| My son tried downloading the zune software....he said that the computer
| still wouldnt recognize his zune, i asked him if he restarted the
| computer, he said no and when he restarted it I was left with the blue
| screen ...ect.... It went into recovery copied files... and now Ive
| lost all my demolition and trucking company files....is there a way go
| back?
|
|
| --
| angs5
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------
| angs5's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/51376.htm
| View this thread: Windows Did Not Start Successfully (Will All Files Be Deleted?)
|
| http://forums.techarena.in
|
You need to give a bit more information:
What are "recovery copied files"?
Did you mean the restore disk provided by, or made from, the pc maker? (What brand of computer?)
If you used the restore disks made by most "big name" computer manufactures, you most likely lost
your personal data.
At least you have learned the two basic rules of computing:
Rule 1. Backup your personal data on a regular basis.
Rule 2. See rule one.

If your hard drive did not crash, then the data is still on the disk.
There are companies that will recover data from hard drives but it can be
expensive. There are also data recovery programs that can be purchased. Do a
search on "data recovery" and decide what you want to do.

"angs5" wrote:

>
> My son tried downloading the zune software....he said that the computer
> still wouldnt recognize his zune, i asked him if he restarted the
> computer, he said no and when he restarted it I was left with the blue
> screen ...ect.... It went into recovery copied files... and now Ive
> lost all my demolition and trucking company files....is there a way go
> back?
>
>
> --
> angs5
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> angs5's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/51376.htm
> View this thread: Windows Did Not Start Successfully (Will All Files Be Deleted?)
>
> http://forums.techarena.in
>
>

[drone_wolf]

From what ive seen on my computer ive gotten the blue screen atleast 5-10 times and ive never lost data of anything? oh and angs5 cant you just do a system restore i mean you updated and something screwed up so well system restore; restores all files to what they were in the past...

It's looks like from the information you provided that the C partition was
where Windows was last installed.
I'm providing info on how to do a 'Clean Install', in your case just delete
and reformat the C: partition,
after Windows is installed you can see what is on those other partitions and
decide if they are of any value to you.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:

Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_in...windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video
card, sound card, Etc.
Try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including software
Key codes
and Devices you will need Drivers for.

If you are doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already
Installed:
Verify your CD Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for your
existing install.
Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop
and may not match the factory installed key.

Note:A number of vendors now supply restore CD(s) or have a restore
partition on the hard drive
and usually do not supply a Windows XP CD.

JS


"drone_wolf" <drone_wolf.3aujnd@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message
news:drone_wolf.3aujnd@DoNotSpam.com...
>
> Well i have got to the point where im tired of my computer problem not
> being fixed because i dont know why lol. So im just going to reinstall
> windows XP but when i get to the screen where you push the key to
> install there are some partitions already there. It kind of setup like
> this
> :...........mb space
> :c partition[FAT]....mb space
> .............mb space
> f: partition[nfts]....mb space
> partition[fat2]......mb space
> ........mb space
>
> That may not be exactly how it looks but enough that you get my point.
> Im wondering well do i delete any of them because im totaly reinstalling
> windows xp, and if so which ones do i delete...And finally where do i
> select for windows xp to be installed. my first guess would be under C:
> but i just want to make sure i do this right so it want happen again.
> thanks.
>
>
> --
> drone_wolf
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> drone_wolf's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/51128.htm
> View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=984474
>
> http://forums.techarena.in
>

angs5 wrote:
> My son tried downloading the Zune software.. he said that the computer
> still wouldn't recognize his Zune, I asked him if he restarted the
> computer, he said no and when he restarted it I was left with the blue
> screen, etc. It went into recovery, copied files, and now I've
> lost all my demolition and trucking company files. Is there a way to go
> back?

If an OEM CD reformatted and removed all data when reinstalling, you may
still be able to salvage the files. Here's how:

Download and run Restoration or another Undelete program. The more you
use the hd with the deleted files, the more data you overwrite, so you
should download the program to a flash drive, or floppy.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/restoration.html
http://www.recuva.com/

--
Joe =o)