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how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:28 pm
by tester2
hi guys i already made a UBCD 5.0.3, just i like to know how to make my computer boot up again, my pc already crash because of virus infected and not boot up any more.

thanks

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 12:45 am
by jobz000
Were you running antivirus software? There is no excuse not running one, especially with good free ones like Avira or MSE.

If infection was so serious that it made windows unbootable, I would simply reinstall. Before that, you can use a file manager in ubcd, such as the one in parted magic, and move your files to external hd.

Few times I tried cleaning an infected machine, it took several hours. I usually give up after seeing progress bar move 5% in one hour! Even if you are a patient guy and wait until the end, there is no guaranteed that it will completely remove all viruses, or that windows will be functional again afterwards.

Smart thing to do is to divide your hd into 2 partitions, or have 2 separate hds. This way you can easily make a disk image after setting up windows just perfect. Next time windows becomes infected or hd stop working, you can very quickly restore from image.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 1:20 am
by ady
@Tester2,

How do you know it is a virus?

Could you try booting with UBCD or any other live CD?

If you can successfully boot with UBCD or any other live CD, then your hardware and BIOS might be working fine.

You could use a file manager as suggested, to copy the important data to another HDD for example. If this works for you, then wipe the infected HDD, repartition and reformat it. Then reinstall your OS, install an updated antivirus; check with it the backup you previously made, and copy back the necessary files to the desire location.

Alternatively, UBCD has several antivirus included, but there are specialized antivirus CD's. If the virus is in your boot record/MBR/IPL..., then maybe an antivirus can replace it with a "normal" boot record. Then you could boot again your system and run a complete antivirus check to the whole system.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:34 am
by tester2
jobz000 wrote:Were you running antivirus software? There is no excuse not running one, especially with good free ones like Avira or MSE.

If infection was so serious that it made windows unbootable, I would simply reinstall. Before that, you can use a file manager in ubcd, such as the one in parted magic, and move your files to external hd.

Few times I tried cleaning an infected machine, it took several hours. I usually give up after seeing progress bar move 5% in one hour! Even if you are a patient guy and wait until the end, there is no guaranteed that it will completely remove all viruses, or that windows will be functional again afterwards.

Smart thing to do is to divide your hd into 2 partitions, or have 2 separate hds. This way you can easily make a disk image after setting up windows just perfect. Next time windows becomes infected or hd stop working, you can very quickly restore from image.
Thanks for the answers guys.
I like to know HOW TO MAKE A DISK IMAGE on External HDD or on PARTITION after Install fresh copy of Windows XP, so that next time if any problem then I can QUICKLY RESTORE IMAGE.

Thanks

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:50 am
by ady
Depending on your HDD brand, you may have software available from the HDD manufacturer.

For example, Seagate and Western Digital have some version of Acronis True Image.

In addition, external HDD have bundled/downloadable software.

There are many freeware tools for backup/imaging; several running under windows with special CD/DVD tools to recover from a problematic system. Other tools are so-called "offline tools", meaning they run directly from floppy/CD/DVD, so they don't depend on an OS already running.

Do not confuse backup, imaging, and cloning tools.

Image tools make an exact "image" of your partition/disk. You save the image file somewhere, usually an external HDD or spanning it on several DVD's.

Imaging tools may serve you for cloning and/or for backup.

Cloning means making a byte-to-byte or sector-to-sector copy of your partition/disk to another partition/disk, with no "image" in between.

Backup means making a copy or archive of specific files/folders.

If you decide to make an image of your system, you should know that you can restore the system to that same point; but any updates/upgrades after the image was made are lost and need reinstalling.

So, any data (documents, spreadsheets, photos...) should have a separate backup, so you can restore it in case of problems.

This "data" backup is usually needed, because making a backup of specific files/folders is usually faster than making a new whole partition/disk images again and again, in cases where we are more interested in the most updated data than in the software/hardware.

This type of backup is also usually easier to restore in a different system, in case the original is no longer available. It really depends on your particular use of your system.

I hope this helps.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:44 am
by tester2
hi guys i spend days and hours to do this, i make partitions & format my pc then reinstall windows-xp-sp2 and other necessery softwares and programs. There after i try two ways to clone hole image of winxp partition & hole hdd on another same manufacturar hdd.

i try to clone hole image by using clonezilla live cd, there is no luck at all. i read the instructions step by step and tried but not success at all to clone image on hdd or on partition.

1)-my winxp instal on maxter 25 gb hdd, then i another same manufacturar 30 gb hdd attached as secondary in same PC, both are in good condition, there are none herdware problem on the hdd's.
so i use clone zilla live cd to clone hole image of winxp hdd on secondary hdd, there after i restart computer winxp boot properly, then check secondary 30 gb hdd, i saw none files copied on this hdd, when i click on it says you have to format again.
my aim is to copy the win xp image on secondary hdd, but not success at all..

2)-now i try on same hdd by making saperate partitions like 12 gb for win xp and 13 gb for second partition in the same 25 gb hdd,. then use clone zilla live cd and follow step by step exactly same, there after restart computer then still same none image copy on second partition of same hdd.

so i like to know what i am doing wrong,. is there any other live cd can make proper image of winxp, please let me know.

thanks for your help full replies.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:51 am
by ady
@tester2,

Have you actually read the posts we wrote for your problem?

Please, read again. After re-reading, then continue here.

The first thing you need to do is actually to decide what you want to achieve.

For example, if you want an exact copy of your source HDD, in a sense that you could almost replace the first source HDD with the second target HDD, then the target drive must have each and every byte (file) of the source HDD copied/cloned to that target drive.

For this option, you use some CLONING program, NOT an IMAGING tool.

On the other hand, an IMAGING tool makes an image file (which is somehow like a "picture/photograph" of the source HDD), and you can tell to the imaging tool where to save this huge image file. One of the options for saving this image file, is your second HDD.

While using an IMAGING tool, the logic is: the image file is a file by itself, so it needs a recognizable target where you can save it. If you choose to save the image file in your second HDD, then this second HDD must be (partitioned and) formatted before starting the imaging tool.

But, if you are using a CLONING tool instead of an imaging tool, then the whole information (meaning, each sector) of your source HDD is going to be copied to your target HDD. In this case, the "target" (second) HDD should be "clean" (meaning "wiped", no partitions, no formatting, no information, only "zeros").

After CLONING a system partition (where you have the OS and you boot to it), you should turn your system off, and the "target" HDD should be disconnected from your system before booting again. Alternatively, the source HDD should be disconnected, and the target HDD should be connected where the source HDD was connected before.

OTOH, in theory, an image file (from an IMAGING tool), can be saved in several different places, and the "target" can be left connected. The image file can be spanned in several CD's/DVD's, or saved more than once in several sets of DVD's, or saved in a second (internal/external) HDD, or even copied to the same HDD that was the source for that image file. There are many options, some better than others.

There are more complex situations, but this is the basic.

So, I'm willing to help you, but you need first to answer what exactly is what you want to accomplish: cloning or imaging?

Or maybe reading the posts here you figured it yourself. In any case, please report back and we'll try to help you.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:20 pm
by tester2
thanks for detail answers.

my aim is to clone hole 25 GB WinXP HDD to another empty 30 GB HDD, sothat when my winXP system spoiled then simply I want to copy back again on my orignal 25 GB HDD. If i clone the HDD then I no need to install WinXP in future any more, when ever i have problem then simply i can recover my winXP system with out wasting lot of time.

So I like to know what i have to do to clone hole HDD. And which bootable CD I need to make again, please let me know.
Which cloning program I have to use to do this thing.

Thanks for your help full answers.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:05 am
by ady
@tester2,

I don't mean to sound rude, and I trully want to help you, but, once again, you need to make a little effort yourself.

I already understood from your previous posts which is your goal. If you READ the whole topic again with detail, I already wrote about your general options.
Do not confuse backup, imaging, and cloning tools.

Image tools make an exact "image" of your partition/disk. You save the image file somewhere, usually an external HDD or spanning it on several DVD's.

Imaging tools may serve you for cloning and/or for backup.

Cloning means making a byte-to-byte or sector-to-sector copy of your partition/disk to another partition/disk, with no "image" in between.

Backup means making a copy or archive of specific files/folders.
YOU need to choose which method you want to use, according to the pros and cons I already wrote. All the 3 methods can potentially accomplish what you want to do. Once YOU choose 1 of the methods, I can help you further.

If you want a CLONING tool, there are several options included in UBCD.

If you want an IMAGING tool, then the Clonezilla live cd you wrote about is ONE of several options available. Additional options available are: a) using the PartedMagic section of UBCD; b) using Seagate's software for imaging your HDD (Seagate owns Maxtor, your HDD's brand); or c) any other imaging tool that includes some recovery CD/DVD/USB "offline" method (there are many options if you prefer this one).

If you want to use an IMAGING tool, as I already wrote you will need to format your second HDD first, and then run the imaging tool (Clonezilla, Seagate's version of Acronis True Image, or any other you prefer).

If you want a CLONING tool, as oppose to an IMAGING tool, then instead of "formatting" your second HDD, you should "wipe" it. After wiping your target HDD, you run the cloning tool. Finally, you disconnect your target HDD (you can't use it simultaneously).

The last 2 paragraphs are general steps. Each method, imaging or cloning, has its pros and cons. Both methods can accomplish what you want to do.

According to your system, your needs, your resources, you need to choose which method you want to use. I have my own preferences, according to my needs (if you prefer to just use my own preferences, just say so; but I think it is better for you to decide according to your own resources/preferences). Once you choose a method, considering their pros and cons, then we move on to the specifics.

I know that maybe for a "first-timer" the concepts of cloning, imaging and backup sound "the same".

"If you ask, your ignorance will last several minutes. If you never ask, you will be ignorant forever".

So ask whatever you don't understand and I'll try to help you. But read carefully the previous posts first, so eventually you can make a decision.

Eventually, your questions will help others too.

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:51 am
by tester2
Question)-If you don't know the exact model of your HDD, then there are software tools available for that purpose in UBCD.
My Answar)-i check the HDD's the orignal 25 GB HDD manufacturar is Maxtor (in this hdd winxp is there).
And another HDD secondary 30 GB manufacturar is Quantm (my mistake this is not Maxtor, please make correction).

Question)-Also, do you need the second HDD for something else?
My Answer)-I want to use in same computer this 2nd hdd, when my orignal HDD infected by virus then i want to clone back on my orignal 25 GB HDD.

Question)-Do you intend to use the second HDD in the same system simultaneously with the first HDD after saving your backup?
My Answer)-I want to use 2nd HDD only when my PC crash. In case if i can not over write back on my Orignal 25 GB HDD from 2nd HDD (i mean cloning back on 1st HDD from 2nd HDD)

Question)-Do you have a CD or DVD writer?
My Answer)-yes i got cd/dvd writer in my PC and i know the use also.

Question)-Do you have an external HDD or an external case for an internal HDD?
My Answer)-yes i got external HDD case also.

Thanks

Re: how to recover crash PC which is not booting windows

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:33 am
by ady
tester2 wrote:Question)-If you don't know the exact model of your HDD, then there are software tools available for that purpose in UBCD.
My Answar)-i check the HDD's the orignal 25 GB HDD manufacturar is Maxtor (in this hdd winxp is there).
And another HDD secondary 30 GB manufacturar is Quantm (my mistake this is not Maxtor, please make correction).
The reason for asking the exact model of your HDD, is to know if the software I can suggest for you is supporting your exact model. By knowing the model, I can tell if the cloning/imaging tool supports the type of connection, size...

Additionally, if, for example, your HDD exact model has jumpers, I can tell you how to set it if there is any need to.

Part of the tools to clone/image don't support specific configurations. Instead of asking you each and every parameter, I asked you the exact model.

Both Maxtor and Quantum are supported by Seagate's software. Depending on the exact models, I can tell you which specific software version supports it.

To know the exact model of both HDD's using UBCD, try with Seagate Seatools for DOS 2.20. If that doesn't work, then try with Seagate Seatools for DOS 1.10, Maxtor PowerMax 4.23, or Maxtor PowerMax 4.09, in that order. Alternatively, you will have to open your case and try to read all the parameters/exact model from the HDD's themselves.
Question)-Also, do you need the second HDD for something else?
My Answer)-I want to use in same computer this 2nd hdd, when my orignal HDD infected by virus then i want to clone back on my orignal 25 GB HDD.
That's already clear. The question was if you need it for any additional task/use, and if you are planning to have it connected simultaneously.
Question)-Do you intend to use the second HDD in the same system simultaneously with the first HDD after saving your backup?
My Answer)-I want to use 2nd HDD only when my PC crash. In case if i can not over write back on my Orignal 25 GB HDD from 2nd HDD (i mean cloning back on 1st HDD from 2nd HDD)
Ok, so this second HDD is not going to be used for anything else, and is not going to be simultaneously connected in the same system as your "source" HDD after the clonning process.
Question)-Do you have a CD or DVD writer?
My Answer)-yes i got cd/dvd writer in my PC and i know the use also.

Question)-Do you have an external HDD or an external case for an internal HDD?
My Answer)-yes i got external HDD case also.

Thanks
If you want help, CHOOSE between IMAGING or CLONING. I think :roll: I already explained the differences.