Friend, a blond, drops computer 'to make it better.'
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Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Friend, a blond, drops computer 'to make it better.'
She has purchased a new one, but her old HP 6000 sexy white edition holds her multi-thousand photos.
It starts to boot, but only goes to Window's fag-waving stage. 'It will do that for a couple of hours.'
What's the best course of action for this - mostly harmless - charming lady?
Oh, boolox. Not fag waving. Hag-waving, shirley?
Anyway, that waving flag is the only clue I have to the OS ver. That and it's a 6000.
,
It starts to boot, but only goes to Window's fag-waving stage. 'It will do that for a couple of hours.'
What's the best course of action for this - mostly harmless - charming lady?
Oh, boolox. Not fag waving. Hag-waving, shirley?
Anyway, that waving flag is the only clue I have to the OS ver. That and it's a 6000.
,
Last edited by Loose rivets; 5th September 2013 at 22:27.
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Canada
If she dropped it, sounds like she probably broke the hard drive and it can't read some file required to boot Windows. I'd put it in an external enclosure, plug it into another PC and see if you can copy the files from it.

Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Finland
If it doesn't work with MG23 suggestion try the same with a linux system.
You don't have to install linux just run it off an usb stick.
I've found that linux often reaches the other parts that a windows system cannot.
You don't have to install linux just run it off an usb stick.
I've found that linux often reaches the other parts that a windows system cannot.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,569
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From: Florida
If it doesn't work with MG23 suggestion try the same with a linux system.
You don't have to install linux just run it off an usb stick.
I've found that linux often reaches the other parts that a windows system cannot.
You don't have to install linux just run it off an usb stick.
I've found that linux often reaches the other parts that a windows system cannot.
Joined: Apr 1998
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From: Mesopotamos
Friend, a blond, drops computer 'to make it better.'
Does windows still have boot.log, could be a peripheral gone bung inside the laptop and the driver for it is hanging during the boot strap.
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Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Haven't laid hands on it yet. I'd rather gathered the dropping was to cure this particular fault. Not sure now 'you' mention it.
I'd like a stick dedicated to Ubutu, and I see it doesn't have to be empty, which surprises me. One will read up, but I only have one stick that's big enough, so don't want to risk the data on it. I guess I could make her buy a stick, but she'd probably throw it against a wall to make it go.
I'd like a stick dedicated to Ubutu, and I see it doesn't have to be empty, which surprises me. One will read up, but I only have one stick that's big enough, so don't want to risk the data on it. I guess I could make her buy a stick, but she'd probably throw it against a wall to make it go.
Plastic PPRuNer

Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Rochechouart, France
Unlikely she broke the HDD (laptop HDDs are quite tough, 'specially when still inside the laptop) or it wouldn't even start to boot.
Pull the drive and (unless it's encrypted) it should be accessible through Windows or *nix.
Just don't do anything that might write to the drive...
Pull the drive and (unless it's encrypted) it should be accessible through Windows or *nix.
Just don't do anything that might write to the drive...

Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Seattle
Smacking old tube-equipped TV sets used to be one approach to getting them to work. The vibration would re-seat dirty or oxidized tube pins. Perhaps some blond figure their laptop's tubes need to be jiggled.
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: uk
Back in the days of the Atari ST, dropping them (ooer missus) was indeed the favoured method of fixing them.
The chips were socketed and had a tendency to ride up out of the socket. Holding the computer level about a foot above the bench and then dropping it frequently resulted in a 'fixed' computer.
Ching! £30 for nowt.
The chips were socketed and had a tendency to ride up out of the socket. Holding the computer level about a foot above the bench and then dropping it frequently resulted in a 'fixed' computer.
Ching! £30 for nowt.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Well, I downloaded Ubuntu 386 saucy something and am into the HP. But, I can only find a few photos.
I admit I haven't spent all that long learning to drive this OS, but the lady's initials are on one folder loud and clear. No other folder seems to hold the treasured files.
As a quick thought, am I missing the obvious here?
Like, not installing Ubuntu but just running it from a stick?
Frustrating. So near and yet so far.
.
I admit I haven't spent all that long learning to drive this OS, but the lady's initials are on one folder loud and clear. No other folder seems to hold the treasured files.
As a quick thought, am I missing the obvious here?
Like, not installing Ubuntu but just running it from a stick?
Frustrating. So near and yet so far.
.
Last edited by Loose rivets; 8th September 2013 at 17:57.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Got it under vague control, but really strugling with the feeling of being lost in a vast town with no map.
Anyway, thousands of photos taken from disc, but the (probably unpaid) time has been horrendous.
What is the best copy of Ubuntu to download for a permanent dual boot? One seems okay, but the one I put on a slow old DVD is better.
It also seemed to be warning of messing with the partitions if I did a real instal. Can't risc that as I don't have all the pics yet, but heck, it would be soooo much faster not having to go to DVD.
Yes, the stick is quicker, but tricky when using that media to convey the files to my own laptop.
I just didn't realize when I took this on. Some 60 Gb of jpg files to save. Just what would she have been charged with a 'normal' company?
Anyway, thousands of photos taken from disc, but the (probably unpaid) time has been horrendous.
What is the best copy of Ubuntu to download for a permanent dual boot? One seems okay, but the one I put on a slow old DVD is better.
It also seemed to be warning of messing with the partitions if I did a real instal. Can't risc that as I don't have all the pics yet, but heck, it would be soooo much faster not having to go to DVD.
Yes, the stick is quicker, but tricky when using that media to convey the files to my own laptop.
I just didn't realize when I took this on. Some 60 Gb of jpg files to save. Just what would she have been charged with a 'normal' company?
Joined: Aug 2007
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Rivits
The Dual install depends on the version of windows - XP Pro + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS 32 Bit has worked for the last 3 years without probs - Dual boot using grub (now old fashioned) (And yes it warns you about installing a EXT3 partition).
Ubuntu can also be installed using something call wubi - where the Unix Sys exists as an application in the Windows partition - Its not as resilient to failures as a separate install. - I have no direct experience of using this. Not to be used under Windows 8.
Now for the gutya's I'm not sure about installing a second partition under windows 7 and definitely Windows 8 - Microsoft has introduced a system of protecting the boot system called secure boot that prevents alteration to the boot record.
From Wikipedia
"Windows 8 supports a feature of the UEFI specification known as "Secure boot", which uses a public-key infrastructure to verify the integrity of the operating system and prevent unauthorized programs such as bootkits from infecting the device" - wubi gets around this according to Ubuntu"
Booting Ubuntu (there are other Linux operating systems) from USB seems a good idea.
Edit: *** Warning *** Wubi is not supported after Ubuntu 12.04 - sorry about that.
CAT III
Ubuntu can also be installed using something call wubi - where the Unix Sys exists as an application in the Windows partition - Its not as resilient to failures as a separate install. - I have no direct experience of using this. Not to be used under Windows 8.
Now for the gutya's I'm not sure about installing a second partition under windows 7 and definitely Windows 8 - Microsoft has introduced a system of protecting the boot system called secure boot that prevents alteration to the boot record.
From Wikipedia
"Windows 8 supports a feature of the UEFI specification known as "Secure boot", which uses a public-key infrastructure to verify the integrity of the operating system and prevent unauthorized programs such as bootkits from infecting the device" - wubi gets around this according to Ubuntu"
Booting Ubuntu (there are other Linux operating systems) from USB seems a good idea.
Edit: *** Warning *** Wubi is not supported after Ubuntu 12.04 - sorry about that.
CAT III
Last edited by Guest 112233; 10th September 2013 at 11:13.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Yes, I imagined that as well when I was on about the fifth hour of messin' with copying files. (using the DVD Ubuntu so had to copy to a rather limited stick [which got warm] )
However, I imagine a pub-type response to calls for large sums of money. The lovely lady's cries of, 'Oh, F
k OFF!' have nearly got us thrown out of the non-swearing pub more than once. We call back to the barman saying, 'It's alright, she's Australian.' Her huge smile usually convinces them she should stay.
However, I imagine a pub-type response to calls for large sums of money. The lovely lady's cries of, 'Oh, F
k OFF!' have nearly got us thrown out of the non-swearing pub more than once. We call back to the barman saying, 'It's alright, she's Australian.' Her huge smile usually convinces them she should stay.
Joined: Aug 2007
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Yep
Been there - Worn the Wet tea Shirt.
People do not actually realise how much A'Ache recovery actually requires - PS I forgot a gotya - Under Linux, you can reliably read from NTFS (windows) and write to FAT32 (like a USB stick) writing back to NTFS formatted drives can be problematic.
I do not think this is "Folk Law" - to be confirmed,but you can get big 32 Gb USB's I got a 16 GB and you can get 64 GB ones for £25.00 Quid.
CAT III
Edit: If you are felling brave ? Install NTFS Configuration Tool and Read/Write on NTFS Drivers (Ubuntu/Linux Mint) - Noobs on Ubuntu, Mint and Debian, HD Wallpapers, Tutorials
People do not actually realise how much A'Ache recovery actually requires - PS I forgot a gotya - Under Linux, you can reliably read from NTFS (windows) and write to FAT32 (like a USB stick) writing back to NTFS formatted drives can be problematic.
I do not think this is "Folk Law" - to be confirmed,but you can get big 32 Gb USB's I got a 16 GB and you can get 64 GB ones for £25.00 Quid.
CAT III
Edit: If you are felling brave ? Install NTFS Configuration Tool and Read/Write on NTFS Drivers (Ubuntu/Linux Mint) - Noobs on Ubuntu, Mint and Debian, HD Wallpapers, Tutorials
Last edited by Guest 112233; 10th September 2013 at 12:10.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Huh! Having copied 50Gb of pictures onto my laptop and then to DVDs, I risked putting in my Sony (dual boot) Visa backup disk (first one of two only) and went through a quick repair of the OS. It worked. It would have been so much easier to have done that in the first place, but then, 4,000 photos at risk, I guess I did the right thing.
Now, here's another thing. I now don't need her password to get into the computer. It can't be that easy . . . can it?
The Centrino Visa combination is a trial of patience anyway, but with over 4Gb - yes, gigabytes of cookies and stuff, it was difficult to download CCleaner.
I see CC now has an intelligent search for most used applications, so it saved some of the cookies. How clever is that? Well, unless there's an ulterior motive.
Time to make some recover disks. Any tips on the best way, and can they be made to not go back to a virgin setup?
Now, here's another thing. I now don't need her password to get into the computer. It can't be that easy . . . can it?
The Centrino Visa combination is a trial of patience anyway, but with over 4Gb - yes, gigabytes of cookies and stuff, it was difficult to download CCleaner.
I see CC now has an intelligent search for most used applications, so it saved some of the cookies. How clever is that? Well, unless there's an ulterior motive.
Time to make some recover disks. Any tips on the best way, and can they be made to not go back to a virgin setup?
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity

Joined: Jun 2001
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Posts: 3,383
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
The photos are now on two computers and 8 DVDs. What is the best way I can send these to the lovely lady in Aus?
50Gb seems to be about right, and I feel there must be a way to do this as we often receive large upgrade downloads. However, said lady is not a computer expert by any means. She would need a reasonably easy way to flow them into her kit as .jpg files.
She is willing to buy a USB drive, but would USB memory sticks be stable/reliable, given the drive would have to be bubble wrapped?
What think you?
50Gb seems to be about right, and I feel there must be a way to do this as we often receive large upgrade downloads. However, said lady is not a computer expert by any means. She would need a reasonably easy way to flow them into her kit as .jpg files.
She is willing to buy a USB drive, but would USB memory sticks be stable/reliable, given the drive would have to be bubble wrapped?
What think you?



