Problems loading Vista

[JacqueR]

I have a Satelitte L305 and it wont load up Vista..It says windows starting but nothing happens. I dont have the cd to reboot. Startup repair wont repair and I've tried all diagnostics on there. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jacque

 

[Beezy]

I have a Satelitte L305 and it wont load up Vista..It says windows starting but nothing happens. I dont have the cd to reboot. Startup repair wont repair and I've tried all diagnostics on there. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jacque

after you press power, and the screen is black, but BEFORE youd normally see Windows start to load, hit F8 on your keyboard rapidly..try booting into safe mode. IF it hangs there too, id say it sounds like a failing HDD or corrupt install files. how old is the laptop/hdd inside?

 

[JacqueR]

Yes I tried F2 F8 and F12. I took updates before all this happend. Its 4 years old

 

[JacqueR]

I was told to use paragon startup repair kit..but I cant find the right key to get in to BIOS to run disc

 

[Beezy]

Yes I tried F2 F8 and F12. I took updates before all this happend. Its 4 years old

At 4 years i already have a new SSD waiting for replacement . it really sounds like a failed HDD. You can at least install Linux for free, or just use a LiveCD to access important files? im no linux expert but i know its for the more tech savvy

 

[JacqueR]

Thank you Breezy for your replies! Think i'm gonna have to take it to someone! Dont want to lose all my pics on there!

 

[Beezy]

I was told to use paragon startup repair kit..but I cant find the right key to get in to BIOS to run disc

Sometimes delete and spacebar can get you into the BIOS. try holding
f1,2,3,4 but acutally holding it down as you turn on your device. with all possible combinations, if you take it somewhere youll find its probably a better idea to invest in a new computer!

 

[JacqueR]

Yes will try that! Yes I know but I want pics off 1st if poss! And Xmas is coming so who knows!!
Thanks again!

 

[Beezy]

Yes will try that! Yes I know but I want pics off 1st if poss! And Xmas is coming so who knows!!
Thanks again!

IF you get into the BIOS, and change the boot priority to make the CD drive first or USB, you might open some windows to getting your pictures off the drive and onto a backup CD, USB or external HDD! theres a lot of free software and good tutorials out there on how to do that kind of stuff, with linux too (a liveCD wont wipe off your hdd, it will run on the CD itself.)

 

[JacqueR]

Ok didnt know that! Will get on to it this afternoon! Thank you Beezy! great help!

 

[Beezy]

Ok didnt know that! Will get on to it this afternoon! Thank you Beezy! great help!

post your results! make sure to have nothing connected to the device, except a keyboard (if PC)

 

[JacqueR]

Will do its a laptop!!

 

[JacqueR]

I ran a CHKDSK in bios..took about 18 hours and at times I thought it had crashed, but it was fixing bad clusters! It finished and restarted computer and i am in the process of taking off all my pics and documents.I will reformat computer back to factory settings!

 

[Beezy]

Good. This time around keep everything backed up regularly. That hddd might work for a little while but its likely nearing its end