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Thread: Laptop System Reinstall

  1. #1
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    • Gonball's system
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    Question Laptop System Reinstall

    Hi all

    My wife has a laptop (acer extensa 2304WLCi) that won't boot - reporting a corrupted sytem file.

    It also fails to recover from the partition using recovery disks - reporting corrupted disk image.

    The recovery utility helpfully sugests I contact symantec or the vendor. Of course it is out of warranty, so I would be directed to my local Acer service agent. After a previous infuriating experience with them, I would rather use the unit as a doorstop than put it in their hands.

    I would mainly like to get this unit just functioning again, with data recovery a secondary consideration.

    So what to do with this thing?


    Cheers

    Gonball

  2. #2
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    Re: Laptop System Reinstall

    What is the operating system, which system file is reported as corrupt?



    Depends on what you want to spend and how much time you are prepared to take/risk etc, but on the information given, there these options:

    1. Buy a replacement hard drive and install that and then try installing from the recovery disk - it may not work if the recovery disks are damaged, so you might end up having to buy a new copy of the OS. If it does work, you could put the old drive into an external enclosure and recover any data off that.

    2. Accept that the recovery disks are damaged, and buy a new version of the OS and install that but if the hard drive is damaged, you may end up having to replace that anyway.

    3. Download a Linux live CD and boot off that to see if the disk is readable. That may help you decide what other steps to take.

    If you can post more detail about the error messages and OS, you might get more specific advice.
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  3. #3
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    • Gonball's system
      • Motherboard:
      • AN7 & GA7N400 Pro 2
      • CPU:
      • athelon XP 3200+
      • Memory:
      • 2x500 meg
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80Gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • radeon 9800

    Re: Laptop System Reinstall

    Thanks peterb

    a) The OS is XP

    b) when the fault first arose as I recall the message referred to windows/sytem32 folder.

    But just now when I tried to boot to check the message I got a "double exception" message and subsequently restarts all I got is an error trap:

    TRAP 00000006=====EXCEPTION

    with hex addresses and whatnot etc etc

    It seems the problem has gotten worse. Maybe some other hardware/firmware fault?

    c) I was thinking that the recovery disks did not actually contain the OS but only retrieved it from the partition. If it does have OS then I should be able to format the drive (if it is not US) and reinstall or else replace the drive as you suggested.

    d) I belive that the recovery disks are OK as it appears to function but reports a data corruption of the partition. Why it does not offer the option of a fresh install I don't know.

    e) I have had one drive replaced already and my impression is that the compact drives in laptops are unreliable as I see frequent disk errors.

    Are there reliable drives?

    f) Do you need a dedicated laptop version of windows OS? I tried an XP disk from my PC to see what would happen and it refused to run. Should this install to a blank formatted (funtioning) laptop drive in principle?

    g) If the unit can run on linux I would be pleased to ditch Windows OS altogether. You third suggestion seems well worth trying first in any case. If I can't get this thing going soon the wife will insist on a new laptop and the we will get Vista OS OMG noooo!

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    Re: Laptop System Reinstall

    If the recovery disks to load from a partition, and the disk is damaged, that would implie damage to the disk's logical and/or physical layout.

    There is no difference between XP for a laptop and XP for a desk system, although Acer may supply specific drivers for it. Again if it won't install it might point to a damaged hard drive.

    However, it would be wirth downloading a copy of memtest and burning that onto a CD and testing the laptop's memory - just in case. It is freeware, so apart from a bit of time, it won't cost anything. Leave it running for a while (some people recommend overnight - but a couple of hours should be enough - if there are serious errors, they will show up quickly)

    I have found laptop drives to be pretty reliable - what make is it? Toshiba 2.5" drives used to have a good reputation (and afik - still do) and I have a Samsung 2.5" drive in my laptop.

    Best way to see if the laptop will run Linux is to try! Knoppix has a phenomenal number of drivers (and is always useful for diagnosing Windows PCs too). You may have problems with dial up modems, and wireless (wireless can usually be got working with a bit of effort) but lan connections should be OK - however the main thing with a live CD is to see if the thing boots and mouse, keyboard, graphics and sound and Lan all work!

    KNOPPIX Linux Live CD

    Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
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  5. #5
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    • Gonball's system
      • Motherboard:
      • AN7 & GA7N400 Pro 2
      • CPU:
      • athelon XP 3200+
      • Memory:
      • 2x500 meg
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80Gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • radeon 9800

    Re: Laptop System Reinstall

    Thanks for your help peterb

    i think i can get somwhere with your suggestions.

    i was thinking about trying linux for some time and it seems this event will precipitate some action. I already found the knoppix site in your 1st link following your earlier linux suggestion, and i have downloaded and will try the memory tester in your 2nd link. Though sounds probably like a new hard drive is called for. i think the existing is a mitsubishi (80Gb).

    Many Thanks

    Gonball

    PS do you have any good hex jokes?

  6. #6
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    Re: Laptop System Reinstall

    If only DEAD people understand hexadecimal, how many people understand hexadecimal?

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