Q. Hi there! I need some computer help..but let me start by saying that I know NOTHING about computers! I basically know how to turn it on, get to ebay and buy stuff, and that's pretty much it! LoL.
So I have a Compaq Presario v2000 laptop (you're probably wondering if it's the same one the cavemen used to use..and the answer is yes. lol) It was acting really weird so I decided to do a clean install of windows xp. I popped in the disk and installed it and it worked great! then my friend had a bright idea of defragmenting it..? So after I did that it basically shut down. now I try to install it once again. I get to the partition page, I delete the partitions, and i press enter to install it on the C: drive with the available 38146 MB (please dont laugh at my ancient computing machine! haha) and a screen pops up that says "setup is unable to format the partition, the disk may be damaged. You must select a different partition for windows xp. to continue press enter".
So...what does that mean?!? I'v looked on numerous sites for help. Someone suggested I enter the command for setup in the RECOVERY/ repair mode. That didn't work! So then i tried to make a small partition ( C: ) and use the larger partition ( D: ) to install windows on. Someone else said I should get a new hard drive..but i dont want to spend money on a new hard drive if that's not the problem.I'm really confused ...and I should probably just get a new laptop but that's not an option right now. So any advice/comments would really be appreciated! (or if you live in los angeles and want to come fix it for me that would also be great! haha!)
Please help! :-(
Thanks a bunch!
So I have a Compaq Presario v2000 laptop (you're probably wondering if it's the same one the cavemen used to use..and the answer is yes. lol) It was acting really weird so I decided to do a clean install of windows xp. I popped in the disk and installed it and it worked great! then my friend had a bright idea of defragmenting it..? So after I did that it basically shut down. now I try to install it once again. I get to the partition page, I delete the partitions, and i press enter to install it on the C: drive with the available 38146 MB (please dont laugh at my ancient computing machine! haha) and a screen pops up that says "setup is unable to format the partition, the disk may be damaged. You must select a different partition for windows xp. to continue press enter".
So...what does that mean?!? I'v looked on numerous sites for help. Someone suggested I enter the command for setup in the RECOVERY/ repair mode. That didn't work! So then i tried to make a small partition ( C: ) and use the larger partition ( D: ) to install windows on. Someone else said I should get a new hard drive..but i dont want to spend money on a new hard drive if that's not the problem.I'm really confused ...and I should probably just get a new laptop but that's not an option right now. So any advice/comments would really be appreciated! (or if you live in los angeles and want to come fix it for me that would also be great! haha!)
Please help! :-(
Thanks a bunch!
A. it might be as it says it is, your hard drive is on the way out. time to replace.
Defragmenting is harmless unless data blocks on your hard drive are damaged, your friend did not do anything wrong.
Defragmenting is harmless unless data blocks on your hard drive are damaged, your friend did not do anything wrong.
can i RECOVER MY FILES?
Q. in the past months and a half i have had to reinstall windows ( vista ) twice due to pc problems ( long story ) i THOUGHT i had properly backed up all my important documents and personal affects on a dvd, WELL, i guess not because the freaking disc is blank
it is VERY important to me that i recover them, money is no object, could i take it to an expert like maybe best buy or something and could they recover them even after two reinstalls?
note: i used the installation disc that came with my pc to reinstall windows by the way
it is VERY important to me that i recover them, money is no object, could i take it to an expert like maybe best buy or something and could they recover them even after two reinstalls?
note: i used the installation disc that came with my pc to reinstall windows by the way
A. Ok.. I just read some of the posts... do not try and do software recovery yourself. You will only make it more difficult for a professional company to recovery later...
also, moving forward I would encourage you to use:
www.mozy.com
This is a challenge, but since you say money isn't an object I would call one of three companies... in this order... the first two companies are quite expensive. They will charge upwards to $2500 - $3000 to handle a recovery. They are quite good and perceived as industry experts. Drive Solutions is a company in Los Angeles that I have personally worked with.. they are more affordable... $800- $1000.
The bottom line is this, if the data is valuable, don't mess around. The more you ticker with it, the less likely it is too recover. All the companies will charge a minimum amount if they can't recover.
Good Luck...
Jonathon
1) Drive Savers:
http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
2) On Track
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/
3) Drive Solutions
http://www.drivesolutions.com/
also, moving forward I would encourage you to use:
www.mozy.com
This is a challenge, but since you say money isn't an object I would call one of three companies... in this order... the first two companies are quite expensive. They will charge upwards to $2500 - $3000 to handle a recovery. They are quite good and perceived as industry experts. Drive Solutions is a company in Los Angeles that I have personally worked with.. they are more affordable... $800- $1000.
The bottom line is this, if the data is valuable, don't mess around. The more you ticker with it, the less likely it is too recover. All the companies will charge a minimum amount if they can't recover.
Good Luck...
Jonathon
1) Drive Savers:
http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
2) On Track
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/
3) Drive Solutions
http://www.drivesolutions.com/
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