Author Topic: I Need Some Serious Computer Help..... (Read 230 times)

flaxattack · « **on:** April 11, 2013, 03:27:14 PM »

Thanks in advance.
i own an 8 yr old HP Pavillion Tower with 32bit Vista.
Some dumbass closed his defrag while it was still in progress. Yes i should always wear glasses.
So i got wiped out. first msg is a cannot start the computer etc. Next it tells me to back up my files.
ok 10 dvds = 64 cds. ok done
start up load my recovery discs. takes about 4 hours to be able to access the net.
i start loading the file discs in like a good boy.
Final one finishes over night. i come home.
Where are my files? i have nothing but folders but i saw it downloading my itunes folder.
i check it- nothing there. no files, just folders.
is there a way to get back the memory?
i had like 300gb.. oh the horror....
the one thing i loved was vista having to do 130 updates..my lamp work....gone?
damn shame is i dont have hard copies of some of my programs.
I'm on the edge guys......lol

jbybj · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2013, 04:05:24 PM »

I always thought that 5-6 years was a lot to ask for a computer to stay relevant. If you didn't already have a good backup regime in place, and you are relying on your last minute backup, then it's time to put a plan into action.(when you recover from your current crisis.) Perhaps a new computer will manage your last minute, Hail Mary, backups better.

Good luck.

flaxattack · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:14:02 AM »

thanks for your useless assistance

tncaveman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:47:34 AM »

You can probably take the hard drive to someone to recover files. Not sure how much they can recover, but it's probably more than you think. But it's time for a new one. I have 3 hard drive back ups. I keep needing a bigger one, so the photos / videos are mostly on all 3. I'm past due for a new one too.

Good Luck,

Stephen

rustyg61 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2013, 05:02:11 AM »

I just bought one of these adapters to plug an internal hard drive to a USB port on another computer to transfer data from the hard drive to another computer. It works great! You may be able to recover your files. Most likely your aborted defrag damaged some of your Windows files & now your computer won't run, but your saved pictures & other files may still be intact & if they are you can hook the hard drive up to another computer with this adapter & open it up in My Computer to see the files then just copy & paste them to the new computer.

http://www.frys.com/product/5466019?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:12:45 PM »

Drive Savers can possibly help you Jeff !

http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/

Rusty's idea is prudent . I own such a device and transfered files while installing and setting up a new operating system to a different computer. On an Apple Computer I have done many hard drive transplants by just removing the hard drive from one computer to install in another . I have never failed in this procedure.

Wolf

flaxattack · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2013, 08:03:03 AM »

thanks guys- update
am up and running. i loaded a product called libre
which is a free office compatible program that a tech guy in a repair store told me to try since i was running ms office 07. the program loaded. my word docs etc now show the file size.BUT when i go to open the folder, i am getting an access denied message.
my main 2 issues are needing to replace office and photoshop 8.
the question is IF i reinstall the program files and then reinstall the back up dvds, will they go to the program they belong to . for example. i reinstalled i tunes, my library is not there.. Will all my itunes library reinstall? i did see plenty of downloads on those back up dvds
i dont want to reinstall the back up dvds again and lose any ground.
feel free to email me direct at jsf5653@att.net

ps- caveman- when you say get a new one. are you talking a hard drive or a new pc?

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2013, 08:04:38 AM »

Flax:

Sorry to hear about your problem. I just went through a bunch of computer mishegas myself. Some suggestions:

1. Like others have said, a good tech may be able to pull info off the lunched HD.

2. I picked up a WD My Passport 1 terrabit external HD. It's small, about $100, and makes an easy and convenient backup device.

3. Can the Vista and go back to XP or forward to 7. 8 looks like it was designed for tablets with touch screens. You don't need the best and latest (latest isn't always the best).

For example, IMHO Wordperfect 5.1 for DOS (do I hear some gasps out there?) is the best word processing program ever designed. But it doesn't run well on anything newer than Windows 98. After propping up my old 98 machine for years, I recently had my tech install a virtual HD running 98 on my not so new Dell running XP. It all works fine for my purposes.

Rebel against planned obsolescence!

Good luck with your recovery.

Bill, tgo

flaxattack · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2013, 02:16:59 PM »

well i decided to call in the troops. called HP.
paid 120 for 6 months support. that was the min.
guy was really good. he took over the computer.
he restored my docs. had me download openoffice instead of Libre. i had that for powerpoint so i knew its free and good.
restored my itunes library, was able to move my contact list back into outlook mail. gave me access to editing my photos. he took the time to research and call me back. told me to call back to try and recover my website. he also said that hostmonster should be able to help me. so i spent the rest of the afternoon reloading my programs
off the net.
The only thing i will need to buy is photoshop. i had 8. ebay 40$ bin and one auction in progress.
i will have to give them a call and get more control. too many secondary websites popping up
its not the pop up control. i know that.

playing itunes on shuffle. hows this for a harmony hat trick
country girl- warmth of the sun- attics

i really enjoy brian wilson. saw him at the beacon a few years back. a fantastic show.

jon_jackson · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2013, 05:41:13 PM »

Glad you were able to get your stuff back Jeff. Scary.
Jon

Bradley Young · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2013, 06:55:31 PM »

Please, please use backups.

Use local and cloud backups: I use backblaze, which is $50/year for unlimited backup. Takes forever on the initial backup, but once you're synced, you're good.

Bradley

hankster · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2013, 08:17:07 PM »

Good news. Losing data is a major headache, and heartache.

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2013, 11:06:40 AM »

Sounds like the basis for a 21st Century country song! lol

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2013, 11:52:41 AM »

Bill ,
Here is that 21st Century Country & Western Song !

Well I got drunk the Sunday night my computer crashed at sundown,
and I went had a tantrum in the rain.

On Monday morning I took to the shop in my pickup truck, but the sign said will be back at 1:00 PM.

Well I hung around until he opened ,and drank twelve beers just to pass the time.

And I don't care if I have to go to prison, any more, just to get my data back on line.

sparechaynge · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2013, 12:38:30 PM »

better hurry up and copyright that, Wolf! In today's market you could be a superstar overnight.