computer not working

Hi all
Looks like computer will not boot up as well running xp getting the splash screen
Only thing that's happening is black screen and a white flashing small line in the top left corner

Ok managed to get the knoppix onto a cd but when I run it it sees the hard drive and only some files but no image files am i missing some thing.I keep all my images in a folder called my photos and have them divided into sub folders called macro,landscape etc and have the folder on the desktop.

http://its.uiowa.edu/support/article/1255

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/diy-it-guy/diy-rescue-and-recover-systems-with-...

http://debian.uni-duisburg-essen.de/misc/Knoppix/knowing-knoppix_2004-12-30.pdf

http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm

If I may give a word of advice on the subject of failures like this - before you do ANYTHING much with a new Windows PC when you get it, PARTITION the disk into AT LEAST 2 partitions:

- one (Your "C" drive) for the Operating System

- another (Probably becoming your "D" or "E" drive depending on whether there is a DVD drive installed with one of those drive letters installed in the machine) for all your data files and preferably the actual applications where you have a choice of which drive to install them on
(I go a step further and make 3 partitions with the 2nd for the applications and the 3rd for my data).

THEN, make sure you DO NOT store your data files in anything like the default "My Documents", "My Photos", "My Music" folders as these are generally (always, I think!) on the "C" drive - which the one which gets comprehensively clobbered when you do a major Operating System Recovery or re-installation exercise.

This way, if you have to do a major recovery or OS re-install, you will a) not lose your data files and b) retain the folders structures on the "D"/"E"/"F" partitions, which makes it easier to remember what s/w you had installed and where it was!

THIS WORKS - as I had the recent misfortune to have to re-install my W7 Ultimate upgrade of W7 Home Premium on the machine on which I am typing this post - Yes, it took a bloody long time to return the machine to good operating condition (reinstall, on-line upgrade to Ultimate, and 200+ s/w updates for W7 and Office 2010, and so on) BUT I lost no data files (including last year's photos!) because they were/are still on the "F" partition which remained totally untouched during the whole process!

BTW I use Acronis Disk Director 11 Home as the partitioning s/w on most of the W7 machines - works well and reliably, and is not expensive. You can use Windows' own Disk Management utility but it does not do a very good job, and some of the free partitioning software ain't bad (Paragon Disk Manager, EASEUS and so on) but I have had problems with them over the years.


BTW2 - you can also partition the disk when there is more data on it, but the process is more time-consuming and complex, and the available space on the "D"/"E"/"F" partitions may be noticeably less (will explain why if needs be)

BTW3 - the one caveat I have on this process is that you may lose access to the "Recovery" partition installed on most Windows machines to allow the system to be reinstalled after a major OS failure.
Therefore I would strongly advise that you have the correct genuine Windows installation DVD and Product Key to hand, or you might have to buy the same again if you do have an OS failure!

John

BTW4
To install applications on a drive other than the "C" drive use the "Custom Install" option where available.

BTW5
On your D or other drive, work out a consistent folder & sub-folder structure to store the files for each application - makes particular files easier to find.

Another option is allow all your files to save to the default Windows location as it is the standard and you don't have to remember it. BUT... change the location of these folders when you first install Windows to the alternative location, I would go a step further and locate them on a different disc entirely.
You do this by right clicking on each folder in turn and choosing Properties and then the Location tab. Simply change the drive letter at the beginning of the path i.e. D:Users[username]My Documents

Very interesting! Thanks (but still needs an external disk as well, or a partitioned internal disk).

Also, most people will be using a pre-installed version of Windows and so would not have the option you mention - any solution for that situation?

A Windows 8.1 Warning (not sure how far it applies to other Windows versions):

Just come across the following in this week's MicroMart mag (one of my "must haves" every week - a very informative & interesting mag):

""Windows really doesn’t like it if you move your user profiles, and it can cause serious problems when you come to perform maintenance on your Windows installation, including updates. Microsoft doesn’t beat about the bush with this and steadfastly advises users not to mess.

In fact, although there are official methods used to relocate profiles within Windows, even posted on Microsoft's own website, these are accompanied by caveats including, from the page on relocating he profile directory:

"This setting should be used only in a test environment. By changing the default location of the user profile directories or program data folders to a volume other than the System volume, you will not be able to service your Windows installation. Any updates, fixes, or service packs will fail to be applied to the installation. Microsoft does not recommend that you change the location of the user profile directories or program data folders."

This pretty much sums up Microsoft's standpoint on the moving of profiles, and means there’s no easy way out.

It would appear that many - if not most - users have had success using the built-in method of moving the My Documents folder (now called simply 'Documents' of course). This can be done by riqht-clicking the Documents folder and using the Location tab. This will redirect your Documents folder while keeping the rest of your profile data on the OS drive, as Microsoft demands""

That's what my method does, it simply creates the folder structure x:users[username]documents or pictures etc. your, and everyone elses, profile remains in the same place.

Replace the HDD with an SSD faster more reliable and relatively easy.