The power went off for a minute when starting up this morning and now it won't load up. It gets to a screen where it gives you the choice of starting windows normally or using the system restore option. Neither seems to work.
I tried F8 and restarting in safe mode and last safe configuration but no dice. I think I'll have to contact a professional.
"Neither seems to work" = what exactly happens? You need to be more specific dude.
Quote from: Caliga on July 21, 2009, 10:47:31 AM
"Neither seems to work" = what exactly happens? You need to be more specific dude.
The little bar at the bottom of the load up screen just keeps going and going and it never gets to the next screen.
When I tried safe mode and last safe configuration the screen kind of flashes and then it resets to the default screen that asks "start windows normally or use the system restore option"
Pop your XP or Vista install CD in, make sure the boot order is set to boot from CD drive first, and run the system repair utility on the CD.
Quote from: Caliga on July 21, 2009, 10:56:31 AM
Pop your XP or Vista install CD in, make sure the boot order is set to boot from CD drive first, and run the system repair utility on the CD.
I can't find my disk. :(
:pirate :contract: :mad:
Get the Windows 7 RC.
Your computer won't start?
Yet it still can't keep you away from here. :p
And yes. :pirate:. Get TinyXP.
Quote from: Caliga on July 21, 2009, 11:19:52 AM
:pirate :contract: :mad:
He should read Treasure Island? The CD may have slipped into the book? :unsure:
:rolleyes:
Dude, no... he should check his stack of Pirates of Penzance sheet music. -_-
Did you check if it was plugged? Or maybe the included cup-holder is broken. :lol:
This is starting to get annoying. I'm gonna call my uncle and see if he has a disk, if not I'll have to call someone to fix it. I want to start out sending resumes.
Quote from: Caliga on July 21, 2009, 11:30:47 AM
:rolleyes:
Dude, no... he should check his stack of Pirates of Penzance sheet music. -_-
This is Tim we're talking about, he's far more likely to own Treasure Island.
[beeb]Buy a Mac.[/beeb]
I have trained you well, young Padawan. :macjedi:
Gonna take the geek squad 3-4 days to fix it. <_<
:blink: I'm assuming that was an overestimate just to be safe on their part.
With an XP/Vista install disc I could definitely fix your problem in less than an hour, as could most other tech-inclined Languishites.
Quote from: Caliga on July 22, 2009, 10:56:51 AM
:blink: I'm assuming that was an overestimate just to be safe on their part.
With an XP/Vista install disc I could definitely fix your problem in less than an hour, as could most other tech-inclined Languishites.
They had a bunch of computers on their docket ahead of mine.
You're insane to give your computer to Best Buy.
Support your local shop.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 22, 2009, 10:54:05 AM
Gonna take the geek squad 3-4 days to fix it. <_<
Well, at least that's what they're gonna charge you for.
:lol:
we all should volunteer and write up Tim a new resume. :)
They said my hard drive was dying and that's what was causing the problems. :(
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
They said my hard drive was dying and that's what was causing the problems. :(
Get one of the Linux Live CD's, and you can boot from the CD and have at least a little computer functionality next time your HD dies.
Hell, the ones I've used even saw my network.
I used Slax.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
They said my hard drive was dying and that's what was causing the problems. :(
What kind of HD do you have and how old is it?
Quote from: Caliga on July 27, 2009, 10:19:09 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
They said my hard drive was dying and that's what was causing the problems. :(
What kind of HD do you have and how old is it?
I don't know, whatever came with the Dell in May 2007
They just called me to say my data was unrecoverable and that they'd be refunding me that portion of the bill. :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
They said my hard drive was dying and that's what was causing the problems. :(
Did they offer you to rust-proof your new hard drive?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 01:05:19 PM
They just called me to say my data was unrecoverable and that they'd be refunding me that portion of the bill. :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
It's unusual for data to be totally unrecoverable. As them what specifically the problem is.
Data is always recoverable it's just that sometimes it cost 100k$ to get it back.
Quote from: Caliga on July 27, 2009, 01:39:38 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 01:05:19 PM
They just called me to say my data was unrecoverable and that they'd be refunding me that portion of the bill. :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
It's unusual for data to be totally unrecoverable. As them what specifically the problem is.
If it's so bad they're refunding my money, I don't see the point. I'm strapped for cash and can't afford to spend much more than I was going to pay them.
I interviewed a data recovery guy once who worked for Best Buy at some warehouse center south of Louisville. He was the angriest man I ever interviewed. He actually had a short-sleeved shirt with a tie on and looked like Michael Douglas from 'Falling Down' (glasses, same style hair) except his hair was black and he had a bigger nose.
Anyway, he was so angry that within two days of his nonstop calling and yelling he told us to "never contact him again" (even though he was the one who was calling) and that he was going to the media to tell everyone how dishonest we are. Keep in mind that we never charged the guy a dime for anything.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 01:46:02 PM
If it's so bad they're refunding my money, I don't see the point. I'm strapped for cash and can't afford to spend much more than I was going to pay them.
Ok. A cheaper solution would almost certainly have been for you to buy a new HD yourself and install it, but that would have required you to have the Windows install discs. :bowler:
Quote from: Caliga on July 27, 2009, 01:46:41 PM
I interviewed a data recovery guy once who worked for Best Buy at some warehouse center south of Louisville. He was the angriest man I ever interviewed. He actually had a short-sleeved shirt with a tie on and looked like Michael Douglas from 'Falling Down' (glasses, same style hair) except his hair was black and he had a bigger nose.
Anyway, he was so angry that within two days of his nonstop calling and yelling he told us to "never contact him again" (even though he was the one who was calling) and that he was going to the media to tell everyone how dishonest we are. Keep in mind that we never charged the guy a dime for anything.
Did you hire him?
Quote from: Caliga on July 27, 2009, 01:46:41 PM
I interviewed a data recovery guy once who worked for Best Buy at some warehouse center south of Louisville. He was the angriest man I ever interviewed. He actually had a short-sleeved shirt with a tie on and looked like Michael Douglas from 'Falling Down' (glasses, same style hair) except his hair was black and he had a bigger nose.
Anyway, he was so angry that within two days of his nonstop calling and yelling he told us to "never contact him again" (even though he was the one who was calling) and that he was going to the media to tell everyone how dishonest we are. Keep in mind that we never charged the guy a dime for anything.
The one's I've interacted with seem totally normal, the guy I talked to seemed very apologetic that they couldn't fix the problem.
Quote from: DGuller on July 27, 2009, 01:48:40 PM
Did you hire him?
I was told by him to "never contact me again" so I'm not sure how I would have delivered an offer even if I'd wanted to. :huh:
Oh, this guy also told me he used to be in the telephony business and had invented some sort of protocol that was worth tens of millions, but a partner stole everything from him and ran him out of the business. His story sounded fishy, so of course I googled the company name on his resume and nothing turned up. It's funny how job applicants think interviewers are not capable of, or willing to do, basic research. :D
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 01:48:54 PM
The one's I've interacted with seem totally normal, the guy I talked to seemed very apologetic that they couldn't fix the problem.
You were likely talking to one of the Geek Squad desk guys, not one of the data recovery guys. The desk guys are hired more for their 'customer service skills' than anything else.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2009, 01:05:19 PM
They just called me to say my data was unrecoverable and that they'd be refunding me that portion of the bill. :bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
That portion, but not all? Are you sure they actually did anything?
Wasn't there a Geek Squad video posted a bit ago, where they unplugged the hard drive and sent it in, and they all said the hard drive was broken and tried to sell them a new one?
Look, these guys make like $9 an hour and the onsite 'management' maxes out at $12. What do you really expect to get with that sort of a pay scale?
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on July 27, 2009, 02:07:17 PM
Wasn't there a Geek Squad video posted a bit ago, where they unplugged the hard drive and sent it in, and they all said the hard drive was broken and tried to sell them a new one?
They lost $130 by not being able to back up my data.
Quote from: Caliga on July 27, 2009, 02:11:41 PM
Look, these guys make like $9 an hour and the onsite 'management' maxes out at $12. What do you really expect to get with that sort of a pay scale?
Really? How can you hire and retain competent workforce at these rates? Don't you need to be at least moderately intelligent to diagnose computer problems, which makes you eligible for better paying jobs?
Quote from: DGuller on July 27, 2009, 02:22:01 PM
Really? How can you hire and retain competent workforce at these rates? Don't you need to be at least moderately intelligent to diagnose computer problems, which makes you eligible for better paying jobs?
I don't know. You'll have to ask Best Buy that question. I think nearly all of those guys are hoping the job is going to be a stepping stone, as you elude to. Most of the ones I met were working on CompTIA and/or Microsoft certs, typically on the hardware side (i.e. A+, MCSE-track).