Scottish Executive computers - reinstalling the software

[NickB]

I see no-one has posted here for a long time . . . I would like to believe that this is because no-one has any computer problems, but I fear this is not hte reson . . .

I know that some of the 'free' Compaq computers on the island have apparently been failing to boot up and coming up with the 'blue screen of death'. Error messages vary, but 'unmountable boot volume' is one common one.

If this happens to you the machine can be restored to its original state using the Compaq restore CDs you got with your PC. Simply start the machine with Restore CD 1 in the CD drive and follow the onscreen prompts.

You will also need to reinstall any other software that was on the machine and set up a new internet connection or restore your old account. Please note that all your documents (Word files, e-mail etc) will be lost. This is why it is important that you back up anything you do not want to lose. This can be onto a floppy, to an online backup service or onto a CD writer if you have one installed or have an external one.

If the machine will not restore successfully like this it may be necessary to manually reformat the hard drive. If anyone thinks they need to do this then post here or PM me for further instructions.

- Nick

[Chippy]

I Nick

I'm huvin hellava problems way ma PC. Drivin me mad the dam thing.
Whits ta be done wae it. That blue screen when it starts.

I don't want to lose me files but don't hae a backup.

I like ta dae things me sel. Can you ge me some tips on how to start fixin it.

Yere a gid man



Chippy

[NickB]

Hi Chippy,

Your PC can almost certainly be brought back from the dead.

You probably need to re-install everything.

But - you need to back up your files first.

To do this you need to get your PC booted then copy your documents onto a removeable medium. Floppy disk has too small a capacity, so best bet is either a writeable CD drive or a pen drive (which is a wee cheap thing you plug into the USB port).

If you can't get booted try to do it in safe mode - press F8 repeatedly at the start of the boot sequence then select 'safe mode' when the menu comes up.

Once you are happy you have your docs backed up then use the Compaq Restore CD that came with your PC.

Sometimes this doesn't work . . . then you need to manually reformat the hard drive and then run the Restore CD. To do this you need to boot from CD or floppy and run a program called fdisk. Delete all existing partitions then create a new primary DOS partition using all the space on the drive. Once you have done this run the Restore CD again.

If you need more help I would be happy to come and take a look. My flat rate for onsite technical assistance on the island is a bottle of malt, whether it takes half an hour or two days.

Let me know how you get on anyway - good luck!

- Nick

[Chippy]

I ur a good man Nick.


I think there is somethan wrong wur ur PC as it say you replied at 3 in the morning. Yae would huv tay be daft to be usin yur PC then.

The wife is a member O the free Kirk and Whushkay is no allowed at all at all.

I canny get me PC to boot even to safe mode. So how dey I get it it to transfer the wifes files to a pen drive when I canny talk to the hard drive.

I just canny wurk it oot. I like to dae it mu self if possible.

Chippy

[NickB]

I sometimes stay up late . . .

Can you get as far as the "Welcome to Setup" screen using the Recovery CD? If so you might be able to use the Windows recovery console. To start the Windows Recovery Console press F10 or press 'R" to repair at the "Welcome to Setup" screen and take it from there.

If you can't get this far but the files on the hard drive are still OK then you can still get them by booting to DOS. You need to boot from a CD or (more likely) a floppy (eg Win95 or Win98 Start-Up disk - I usually use a Win95 start-up disk for this) then use DOS commands to copy the files.

Have a look HEREfor disk images you can download to make boot disks.

Problem is if you only boot to DOS you won't have the USB driver loaded, so the pen drive won't work. You would have to copy the files onto floppies, which could take a while.

Other thing is to get an external USB hard drive caddy (cheap on Ebay) and turn your existing HDD into an external drive then copy the files onto another machine.

Hope this helps . . .

- Nick