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Recovery setup screen runs for hours

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Master Green, 2007/10/29.

  1. 2007/10/29
    Master Green

    Master Green Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi,
    I am trying to fix a problem that was suppose to have been fixed by a computer store that I am not so sure was fixed...The computer which is a Windows Xp (Home Edition), approx one year old developed a problem with the hard drive and it was determined the hard drive was failing by tests of some sort...I was not involved in this aspect of it...

    The local computer store claims to have repaired the hard drive which I thought once they fail it was best to replace them than to try repairing ??? Anyways, the owner was advised to get the Recovery (CD's) Disc and to run them and should be all set...

    The owner could not get them to run and called me and I was able to do so. Because of the time factor in running these two Recovery Disc's I left and the next morning the owner called to say the setup page has been running for hours...I went and confirmed it and it won't allow you to do anything else.

    I am not so sure the Hard Drive is still not the issue...Even though you are not suppose to shut the computer off, I figured after approx 16 hours of remaining on the same page that there was nothing to lose...I then tried to access safe mode with no luck...Every time it reboots and goes thru a little process I did notice it stops at the plug & play portion of it and goes no further...May I add it has a Westell modem (from Verizon) and a Linksys router hooked up as well...Stumped & hoping to get a few suggestions.Thanks
     
    Master Green,
    #1
  2. 2007/10/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  4. 2007/10/29
    Master Green

    Master Green Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi PeteC,
    I cannot get on the Internet with this particular computer because it keeps going back to the recovery setup, so testing it will be difficult... I would like to add more info: Before installing the CD's, the computer would boot to the desktop screen, had an IP Address, router and modem appeared to be working fine but that's where it ended...The winsock did not appear to be corrupted...I checked the Hosts file and saw Hosts file backups were done which had atleast 20 spyware listings (all of whom I deleted)...Not sure how that all ended up there ??? What puzzled me is if it was booting up to the desktop, had an IP Address but no Internet connection (despite the proper lights for the modem and router were on) why was the owner instructed to do a recovery confused me...If certain files cruicial to the operating system, wouldn't the recovery reistall them or am I out in left field without a glove on this ???
     
    Master Green,
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  5. 2007/10/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Hence my suggestion to test the hard drive first.

    You can download the diagnostic software from the appropriate manufacturer to any computer - these are not on-line diagnostics. They run from a CD on boot.

    A recovery installation should take no more than 40 minutes, an hour at the most ....
    Straightforward opt out - easy solution from the shop who are either incapable of diagnosing the problem or can't be bothered to. Same with the large OEM's - as soon as their Support script runs out - or doesn't cover the problem their only answer is Recovery :)
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2007/10/29
    Master Green

    Master Green Inactive Thread Starter

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    PeteC,
    Thank you for the info and how to test the hard drive, appreciate it...The question I have is "would it be beneficial to just purchase a new hard drive" and install it of course but with only recovery disc to work with "I'm not sure that will reinstall the operating system or will it" ??? The reason I ask is because I have installed Xp's before but never by using the recovery disc's.
     
    Master Green,
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  7. 2007/10/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    That is a moot point to which I cannot give a totally definitive answer.

    A Recovery disk contains an image of the drive as delivered from the computer manufacturer. Unlike an OEM installation CD which is often tied into a specific set of hardware a recovery CD holds an image which is copied to the drive and will contain all the drivers necessary for the computer hardware, but it will not be looking for a hardware 'signature'. On that basis it should install on another hard drive - of the same type as originall installed, i.e. if the original was a PATA (Eide) drive the replacement must be likewise. In other words I would not expect a recovery disk imaged from a PATA drive to install on a SATA drive as the SATA drivers would not be included in the image.

    On balance I would say - yes.

    If at all possible I would run the disk diagnostics on the drive before making a decision.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2007/10/29
    Master Green

    Master Green Inactive Thread Starter

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    PeteC,
    Okay on that...Thanks again...I will run this all by the owner and post back as soon as the decision is made and mission is completed...May be a couple of days...
     
    Master Green,
    #7

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