URGENT - LAPTOP Cannot Boot UP

[Byte]

Hi Team.

I have some serious problems and hope you can help out here.

I have a 1 yo ASUS A8J laptop with Vista Home Premium installed onto it.

Here is what happened:
1 - Working on it happily and let sit for a while.
2 - Came back 6 hours later and begun to work on Laptop.
3 - All frozen up and cannot access anything.
4 - I cold booted.
5 - Error message (Wondows cannot start, select Windows Recovery or Start Windows)
6 - I tired both - only Recovery option worked when I installed the suppleid recovery disk into CDROM.
7 - Recovery disk load in files and suddenly stops.
8 - Big message in red "ERROR" with some smaller text "Cannot load imagex 0 from SRC WIM file."
9 - Repeated CD ROM - Same.

I am heartbroken and worried about losing everything - yes, i know "you should have backed up elsewhere....."

PLEASE HELP.

Byte

First message

[mandc]

As I don't use Vista, I can't help with your immediate problem.
If, however, you get to the point where a re-format or new HDD is needed, you can possibly get some or all of your data off the lappy HDD by putting it into a usb mini external HDD case [about $25].

I was able to get most needed data off a stuffed lappy HDD using this method and periodically whacking the case to keep the HDD motor spinning...harsh but it did work!

[fandtm666]

if you cant get it going get a copy of windows pe load it up then save what you want to a usb stick

[Byte]

Mandc - Ar eyou meaning - remove the hdd from from the laptop and put in inside a usb mini external HDD case?

Fandtm66 - What is Windows PE? Do I load it up with CDROM?

Why can't my Windows Recovery CD work?

Byte

[fandtm666]

[mandc]

Mandc - Ar eyou meaning - remove the hdd from from the laptop and put in inside a usb mini external HDD case?


Why can't my Windows Recovery CD work?

Byte

That's exactly what I mean. I did a quick look at the forums and your problem with asus error is mentioned a few times with no solution found. It is not looking too good. Asus just say return it for service but they often don't give a stuff about your data, just getting it working again.
Hopefully your lappy has an easy access plate to get the HDD out. The one I did [not an Asus] had one screw to remove and it popped open.

[Byte]

What is a usb mini external HDD case and can u show me some rec. links?

Isn't Windows PE differnet to BArtPE?

Byte

[mandc]

What is a usb mini external HDD case and can u show me some rec. links?
Byte

is an example of an ide case. You need to know if your HDD is ide or sata and choose the correct case. Mine is plastic and cheap and cost $25 but works fine.
Most computer shops have them.

this one is $19

[Byte]

Thansk Mandc.

I have already got one of these cases but don't use at moment.

I bought for a standard IDE HDD for a desktop.

Will my laptop HDD be OK to use in this case i bought?

Byte

[Byte]

And, why should the lappy HDD work in a usb mini external HDD case when it doe snto work in the lappy ?

Byte

[mandc]

And, why should the lappy HDD work in a usb mini external HDD case when it doe snto work in the lappy ?

Byte

It is used as another drive in another computer which reads it as a normal usb drive. It does not need the original computers bios or operating system to work.
You then search your new usb drive and remove all the data you need....providing the HDD has not had a massive failure

[Byte]

Thansk Mandc.

I have already got one of these cases but don't use at moment.

I bought for a standard IDE HDD for a desktop.

Will my laptop HDD be OK to use in this case i bought?

Byte

[tagg]

Thansk Mandc.

I have already got one of these cases but don't use at moment.

I bought for a standard IDE HDD for a desktop.

Will my laptop HDD be OK to use in this case i bought?

Byte

Well if its a 3.5 case no it won't it has to be a 2.5 case designed for laptop drives not for pc hard drives.

Tagg

[z80]

Thansk Mandc.

I have already got one of these cases but don't use at moment.

I bought for a standard IDE HDD for a desktop.

Will my laptop HDD be OK to use in this case i bought?

Byte

Take it to where you bought it from.

pay them to fix it, before you stuff it completely mate.

[Byte]

I will get a 2.5" case shortly.

In meantime, when i try to bootup now - it says "Cannot find Boot Manager", "Press Ctrl + Alt + Del" to restart..

My qeustion is - what went wrong so the boot manager could not be found?

Is this a serious problem - terminal irrecoverable HDD failure?

Byte

[fandtm666]

[Byte]

Thanks Diavlo.

I sthis a very seriosu error message?

Can i copy BCD onto a usb stick and plug it into the lap top on this occassion?

Can I use Hiren's Boot CD as well?

Byte

[Byte]

Easy BCD needs a verison of windows to run it.

When I tried to install a verison of XP on my m/c, it says it will overwrite existing verison of windows - yet I make sure i install it on the partition that does nto have VISTA - what shoudl I do?

[Byte]

How do I operate BartPE if i cannot open windows on the laptop??

[mandc]

As I said earlier, you don't need vista or booting to recover data if the HDD is in an external usb case attached to a second pc.
Also, as z80 said, if you are not sure what to do, get it done by experts before you lose all your data.