Posted on 03/28/2014 12:10:27 PM PDT by TurboZamboni
Seems likely : )
If it came with a disc, I can’t find it.
does it matter if mine is service pack 2 or will any Vista Home Premium version work?
It won’t matter.
https://support.toshiba.com/support/viewContentDetail?contentId=2737864
Many Toshiba laptops come with the factory software recovery image stored in a special (hidden) area on the hard disk. From this special hidden system recovery image, you can restore your computer to its factory-fresh software condition by following these steps: (see linky above)
I found Mrs TZ has several different recovery disks for her Dell laptop with Windows 7.
Will this work on my Toshiba or only on the Dell ?
Sorry.
I read through that and it was mostly mumbo jumbo to me.
I don’t want to lose everything on my hard drive.
This will work with most Windows operating systems after XP (i.e. Vista, 7, 8, Server, etc.)
what if you don’t have a disk?
the only disc I could find was for 7 for a another laptop here, but that’s a Dell and mine’s a Toshiba.
I tried my AVG rescue disk (did F12 and went to CD/DVD)
all I got was a message of:
“ISOLINUX 5.01 2013-01-28 ETCDiscolinux: Disk erro 01, AX-426B, drive FE”
I tried a Vista disc that came with another laptop(Dell) and tried the “last known good configuration” tab . when clicking on the “repair my computer” tab, the “system recover option” box was blank...so I clicked ‘next’ and chose the “startup repair” tab. that didn’t work.
should I have chose “system restore” or will I lose data with that?
Don’t do a system restore with a disk created on another computer.
Download a “live” linux (Puppy is a good one) and boot from that. Then copy all you valuable files to a USB drive or CD/DVD. Then do the system restore with the utility on your Toshiba HD. Then reinstall everything that wasn’t part of your original system. This isn’t the optimum, but it may be the only option left.
When you do get the laptop how you want it, back it up. :)
Sorry if I missed it, but what OS? The bootrec command will work on any OS post-XP. If you’re using Vista, the Win7 bootrec command will work to repair the MBR.
Just follow the instructions and try it.
The System Restore option just re-writes system files. In your case, your boot record corrupted. The bootrec command will fix your issues. You might need to run the three commands in the list more than once.
So, for instance, boot into the CD and go to the command prompt. Once in there, type ‘cd sources’ to get to the proper directory. Type:
bootrec /FixMbr [hit enter]
bootrec /FixBoot [hit enter]
bootrec /RebuildBcd [hit enter]
Then reboot. If it doesn’t boot, go back into the repair CD and run it again. I’ve had to run those commands at least twice on many servers in my day. The first run will actually rebuild the boot sector. The second run fixes the boot manager, and off you go.
If this doesn’t work the first time, make sure you’ve run the ‘Startup Repair’ option first. Then go into the command prompt and run the commands. The startup repair will often fix the issue, but if it doesn’t, it will at least point the partition tables to the proper OS folder.
Get a CD to write, and on Mrs. TZ's Windows 7 Laptop goto:
START.
In the search area type 'backup'.
Choose: 'Backup and Restore' when the search panel propagates.
In the side bar of the resulting window, poke 'Create System Repair Disc'.
Insert RW disc and follow instructions to create.
In the stricken laptop, access Bios, set boot priority to CDRom/DVDRom.
Insert created boot disc into drive and boot.
See here.
The two salient tools are 'Startup Repair' and 'System Restore'. If they can't fix it, you really need to stop attempts and get it to a tech for data recovery and repair.
TZ,
Rarestia has given you more detailed instructions on using bootrec. I recommend you follow those their advice since I haven’t had to do this for quite some time.
Vista Home Premium SP2
that seems to have worked! thanks!
now to create a backup disk to avoid this in the future.
I’m plotting a new computer purchase any way. Before doing so, what do I need to move what’s on the old one to the new?
Looking at a new Toshiba with Windows 7 on Amazon.
That’s great news. But FWIW, a backup won’t make this not happen again. This sort of things DOES happen, and to be honest, we see it the most after Windows updates. Sometimes the updates don’t quite finish properly and leave you with a bad bootsector. I’m glad it’s back for you.
Provided you’re going from Windows OS to a newer one, there are plenty of migration tools in the OS. If you’re using Vista, use ‘Windows Easy Transfer.’ It’s the most “Microsoft-friendly” migration tool. If you want to make a backup, you often just need to backup everything your C:\Documents and Settings or C:\Users directory (whichever is applicable to your situation).
And while I’m a regular Win7 user, I will say that Microsoft’s done some decent stuff with operability in Win8. EVERYONE complains about Win8, because the interface is very different; however, it is far and away the most stable (Windows desktop) OS I’ve ever used. If you’re just looking for the same look and feel of your Vista machine, Win7 is the way to go.
Enjoy!
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