Vista won't boot anymore and I can't repair.

[Guest]

Here's my situation: I had Vista working fine on my computer for several
weeks. I ran out of space on my Vista partition so I used a live CD of
GParted to shrink one partition and grow my Vista one. Rebooting, Vista
would no longer boot to the desktop. It would show the boot progress bar and
nothing more. Abandoning that, it would give me startup options, including
the various safe modes. These didn't work either. They would load a number
of drivers and then just hang, saying to please wait. As with a normal boot,
waiting didn't improve the situation. So, I went to try using the
installation DVD to run the repair feature. It loaded files, then went to
the progress bar, and eventually a black screen, and ultimately that's it.
No matter what I try, I can't get anything to load right. But some things at
least try to start. I have no idea what's wrong. I don't know if there's a
key file or driver missing, or what it could be, or what to do to get Vista
booting again.

The Vista partition is exactly the same except larger. It's still got the
same attributes it had before growing it.

I will note something that I don't know how important it is. When I
initially installed Vista, I had a problem getting the installation DVD to
work. I don't know what did the trick, but one I thing I did was I partially
ran XP setup in order to load some harddrive drivers, then abandoned it, then
ran Vista setup and it took. It was sort of vague the whole process because
it was like a plan z attempt and I wasn't paying close attention to the
process. I don't know if this might be useful, but I've a number of
different ways of providing this driver while vista boots or the dvd runs,
and it doesn't help....so I don't even know if it's part of the solution or a
distraction.

Finally, I have data on the partition that I didn't intend on losing and
isn't backed up. No matter how foolish that was of me, if I can repair the
installation without losing it, I very much want to do so. I'd appreciate
any help you could give me.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Have you tried undoing the volume resizing? I suspect you moved the starting
point of the partition instead of expanding into free space at the back end.
If not set correctly, the startup process will get lost because the MFT's
confused on the location of key files.

You likely need to load a SATA driver for the system before tring to run
setup from what you are describing. While IDE's don't require this, some of
the SATA drives do (not all, much depends on the system hardware).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Dr Teeth]

While IDE's don't require this, some of
the SATA drives do (not all, much depends on the system hardware).

Some do! There are cases of Vista not being able to find the DVD from
which it has just booted due to a lack of drivers. Big article on this
issue in a UK computing mag.

Cheers,

Guy

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

 

[John Barnes]

It is also possible that your partition program is not Vista compatible.
Doesn't have the right NTFS version. Been many posts about Partition Magic
and this problem. You could try to install Vista on the other partition as
a temporary measure, depending on what is there, so you could use it to
recover the data you don't want to lose.

 

[Michal Kawecki]

He can recover his data also using Vista installation DVD. I succesfully
tried to run many programs in it's command line environment, for example
Total Commander. It is even possible to run local network access and
Internet acces with command startnet.cmd.

But I think the first step he must done now is chkdsk /f.

 

[Richard Urban]

Wow. It is nice to know that Total Commander will run from the install DVD
command line. Thanks!

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

He can recover his data also using Vista installation DVD. I succesfully
tried to run many programs in it's command line environment, for example
Total Commander. It is even possible to run local network access and
Internet acces with command startnet.cmd.

But I think the first step he must done now is chkdsk /f.
--
M. [Windows - Shell/User MVP]
/before private reply change px with pl in my e-mail address/

It is also possible that your partition program is not Vista compatible.
Doesn't have the right NTFS version. Been many posts about Partition
Magic and this problem. You could try to install Vista on the other
partition as a temporary measure, depending on what is there, so you
could use it to recover the data you don't want to lose.

 

[Michal Kawecki]

Opera works too... . And before any repair we can make image of
damaged partition using very small (200 kB) Drive Snapshot
http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/home.htm . It don't require installation
on hdd, trial is fully functional and works nicely from Vista command
line.

regards,
--
M. [Windows - Shell/User MVP]
/before private reply change px with pl in my e-mail address/

Wow. It is nice to know that Total Commander will run from the install
DVD command line. Thanks!

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

He can recover his data also using Vista installation DVD. I
succesfully tried to run many programs in it's command line
environment, for example Total Commander. It is even possible to run
local network access and Internet acces with command startnet.cmd.

But I think the first step he must done now is chkdsk /f.
--
M. [Windows - Shell/User MVP]
/before private reply change px with pl in my e-mail address/

It is also possible that your partition program is not Vista
compatible. Doesn't have the right NTFS version. Been many posts
about Partition Magic and this problem. You could try to install
Vista on the other partition as a temporary measure, depending on
what is there, so you could use it to recover the data you don't
want to lose.


message Here's my situation: I had Vista working fine on my computer for
several
weeks. I ran out of space on my Vista partition so I used a live
CD of
GParted to shrink one partition and grow my Vista one. Rebooting,
Vista
would no longer boot to the desktop. It would show the boot
progress bar and
nothing more. Abandoning that, it would give me startup options,
including
the various safe modes. These didn't work either. They would load
a number
of drivers and then just hang, saying to please wait. As with a
normal boot,
waiting didn't improve the situation. So, I went to try using the
installation DVD to run the repair feature. It loaded files, then
went to
the progress bar, and eventually a black screen, and ultimately
that's it.
No matter what I try, I can't get anything to load right. But some
things at
least try to start. I have no idea what's wrong. I don't know if
there's a
key file or driver missing, or what it could be, or what to do to
get Vista
booting again.

The Vista partition is exactly the same except larger. It's still
got the
same attributes it had before growing it.

I will note something that I don't know how important it is. When
I
initially installed Vista, I had a problem getting the installation
DVD to
work. I don't know what did the trick, but one I thing I did was I
partially
ran XP setup in order to load some harddrive drivers, then
abandoned it, then
ran Vista setup and it took. It was sort of vague the whole
process because
it was like a plan z attempt and I wasn't paying close attention to
the
process. I don't know if this might be useful, but I've a number
of
different ways of providing this driver while vista boots or the
dvd runs,
and it doesn't help....so I don't even know if it's part of the
solution or a
distraction.

Finally, I have data on the partition that I didn't intend on
losing and
isn't backed up. No matter how foolish that was of me, if I can
repair the
installation without losing it, I very much want to do so. I'd
appreciate
any help you could give me.

 

[Don]

Here's my situation: I had Vista working fine on my computer for several
weeks. I ran out of space on my Vista partition so I used a live CD of
GParted to shrink one partition and grow my Vista one...

I don't have the facts, but I suspect that GParted probably doesn't yet
know about Vista's new flavor of NTFS. XP doesn't either, so you must
be very careful what tools you use.

If you are primarily interested in recovering your data (rather than
trying to rescue your Vista install) I'd suggest following the previous
advice to try a fresh install of Vista and use that to access the data.

If you don't have spare disk space for a clean install, I'd consider
buying a new hard drive if your data are important enough. I would
strongly discourage any more manipulation of partitions on your existing
disk until you have tried the above.

 

[Guest]

Thank you guys, for your replies. I have some general questions about your
suggestions. First, I can't get the installation DVD to a point where it
will let me repair the drive, or access a command line or really anything. I
believe it's supposed to run, ask me for my language or something, then ask
if I want to install, repair, etc. It never gets that far, it just runs the
progress bar, goes to a black screen, and nothing else. I've let it sit for
a long while as well. I've tried pressing enter, and other keys, thinking a
selection screen is active but not visible. None of that does anything.

As far as loading drivers, what is the correct way of doing this if the
installation DVD never prompts me for any drivers or discs before it hangs?
Do I just make sure I've got it on a floppy, in the drive, when I try to run
the DVD? Is there a way to load the drivers beforehand? As I said, I had to
provide drivers to get Vista to work initially, but trying to repeat this
process has failed for me. I would like to know the correct procedure so I
know I'm doing it right or not.

And should these SATA drivers be from the harddrive manufacturer (Western
Digital) or the motherboard manufacturer (ASUS)?

As far as the partitioning program not being compatible with Vista, I have
been told it's worked for people to do what I've done. In fact, I used it to
set up the partition I initially installed Vista on. I was also advised to
try resizing the partition to it's former size, which I'm going to try. I
don't have a lot of faith it will work, so I'd appreciate any further help
you can give me.

The other thing I'll eventually try, if nothing else works, is set up a
second partition, try to install Vista, and see if I can't access the data
before starting over from scratch. I'd like to avoid this if possible. Not
to mention if I can't get it to work now, I might have the same problems
attempting this. Thanks guys.

Richard

 

[John Barnes]

Thank you guys, for your replies. I have some general questions about
your
suggestions. First, I can't get the installation DVD to a point where it
will let me repair the drive, or access a command line

Try Shift/F10 to get to command line.

or really anything. I

believe it's supposed to run, ask me for my language or something, then
ask
if I want to install, repair, etc. It never gets that far, it just runs
the
progress bar, goes to a black screen, and nothing else. I've let it sit
for
a long while as well. I've tried pressing enter, and other keys, thinking
a
selection screen is active but not visible. None of that does anything.

As far as loading drivers, what is the correct way of doing this if the
installation DVD never prompts me for any drivers or discs before it
hangs?
Do I just make sure I've got it on a floppy, in the drive, when I try to
run
the DVD? Is there a way to load the drivers beforehand? As I said, I had
to
provide drivers to get Vista to work initially, but trying to repeat this
process has failed for me. I would like to know the correct procedure so
I
know I'm doing it right or not.

And should these SATA drivers be from the harddrive manufacturer (Western
Digital) or the motherboard manufacturer (ASUS)?

The SATA drivers should be from the HD controller mfg. Usually they are
supplied by the mobo mfg, but usually very late.

 

[Don]

Lt. Washburn wrote:
....

As far as the partitioning program not being compatible with Vista, I have
been told it's worked for people to do what I've done. In fact, I used it to
set up the partition I initially installed Vista on.

As I've already posted, I don't have the facts so I can only guess:
I don't think GParted understands Vista's new flavor of NTFS. No, I
don't know this for a fact, but it's a very likely candidate for all
of your troubles.

I was also advised to
try resizing the partition to it's former size, which I'm going to try...

If you can possibly wait, please don't do it until you have tried the
solution you describe below...

 

[Michal Kawecki]

Thank you guys, for your replies. I have some general questions about
your
suggestions. First, I can't get the installation DVD to a point where
it
will let me repair the drive, or access a command line or really
anything. I
believe it's supposed to run, ask me for my language or something,
then ask
if I want to install, repair, etc. It never gets that far, it just
runs the
progress bar, goes to a black screen, and nothing else. I've let it
sit for
a long while as well. I've tried pressing enter, and other keys,
thinking a
selection screen is active but not visible. None of that does
anything.

Hi.

Do NOT resize this partition as it can only get a things worse. It's
NTFS structure is very probably damaged. If you can make a copy of this
partition then do it now, GParted will be a good tool for this, DFSee
too. BootIt NG http://www.terabyteunlimited.com can image partition and
write this image immediately to DVD-R/RW.

Before doing it do NOT make any repair on this partition.

So, if you yet have a copy or image of partition, then:

First method: Download bootable CD image from
http://www.dfsee.com/dfsee/cdrom.php , boot from it and recover your
data. You can also check your NTFS file system from here.

Second method: run install DVD now but disconnect first your damaged
disk. After booting to command prompt connect it again to SATA
interface. Windows should recognize it. If not, then run diskpart.exe
and it's command rescan, eventually assign to it some letter. Then
recover your data using copy/xcopy/robocopy commands. Or simply run
notepad.exe ==> file ==> open to get Copy/Paste commands.

If your install DVD or DFSee do not recognize that SATA disk then put it
into USB case and connect it as described above to recover your data.

P.S. If you can run DOS somehow now then please run a Partinfo tool and
paste here results of scan.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html

 

[John Barnes]

I, also, agree with Don and Michael as I have posted before. Whether you
have lucked out and had something work temporarily is beside the point.
Now, you have hit the wall and need to consider the facts. Partition Magic
also seemed to have worked properly for those dozens who had posted about
losing their systems, but all (that posted) eventually had their systems
made unusable because of partition problems.

 

[derek.sh.c]

Coincidentally, I just experienced the same problem today.
I attempted to expand Vista's partition and would no longer completely
boot.
Surprisingly, the issue was completely fixed using the xp cd.
All of my files are intact. Maybe I just got lucky, but try giving
this a shot:

1. Boot with the Windows XP cd.
2. After it loads, enter the XP setup.
3. Locate the partition you installed Vista on and select it from the
list.
4. Select the option to leave the current file system intact (the last
one).
5. When it is finished, reboot and insert the Vista DVD.

You should now be able to make repairs to the installation,
and after a few more reboots it should be up and running again.

 

[Guest]

Can you advise which magazine that is, Guy, and whether they have a solution?
It sounds very much like the problem I'm experiencing: that Vista gets about
3% through expanding files (second stage of installation) and then gives up
with a driver error message (after which the DVD drive is not available). if
it's a known issue and there's a workaround I'd be a very happy individual.