Power to building was cut of, now its back, computer wont work

[Ravioli]

So the power went out so the computer just turned off just like that. When we fixed the power problem and i started the computer it gives me an error saying that it cant find the windows files, usually caused by the computer turning of the wrong way or power faliur. I can choose to run windows normaly or run the last know good settings. Either way, the computer just restarts and gives me the error again. When i choose one of them it shows me the windowsXP logo and the loading bar but no little bars that shows its active, for about 2 seconds its just the WindowsXP logo and then it restarts, showing the same error again.

Why is this happening? Is there a way to fix it? I have very important stuff on there.

Thanks in advance /a very pissed of person who has crashed 3 computers in a row thanks to power related problems (powersupplyes frying, powersupplyes over heating)

 

[giant384]

try running in safe mode

 

[Ravioli]

I think that was one of the options, but it just shows the WIndows logo and restarts and gives the error again no matter what option i choose.

Or is there a way run safe mode with some command or button?

 

[Maxi]

Harddisk got curropt.

 

[Ravioli]

Harddisk got curropt.

any way to fix it? Can i format it and re-install Windows XP with my CD?

 

[giant384]

just reinstall windows DONT FORMAT

 

[Ravioli]

just reinstall windows DONT FORMAT

How do i do that without formating? Reinstalling windows cleans out the whole harddrive right? It always does that whenever i reinstall Windows.

 

[giant384]

when installing just press restore or reinstall w/e its called instead of formatting partition im sure you should see it

 

[Ravioli]

ok, i choose the option "Repair" and it brought me to a console. I asked this computer guy i know what to type and he told me a command (dont remember what) and i typed it and the computer started working (repairing i guess) and he told me it could take days, its at 60% now, going slower and slower. Hopefully it will work when i wake up.

Thanks for the help! I will come back tell you guys if it worked.

 

[giant384]

well you should have clicked install windows then click restore but ive never used repair so idk it might work

 

[sinkoman]

If your HDD partition was corrupt, reinstalling windows and leaving the old data isn't going to fix anything :/

BTW, is your PC on a surge protector?

 

[hungryduck]

How do i do that without formating? Reinstalling windows cleans out the whole harddrive right? It always does that whenever i reinstall Windows.

no, reinstalling windows doesn't clear the HD......unless you reformat during the installation.

 

[giant384]

If your HDD partition was corrupt, reinstalling windows and leaving the old data isn't going to fix anything :/

BTW, is your PC on a surge protector?

if the partition was corrupt it wouldnt even get to the windows xp screen

 

[mr spoon]

It just corrupted the Windows files, as that was what was running when it lost power. Repair simply checks the files on the hard disk against those on CD and replaces any that are corrupt. The other alternative solution here would have been to install Windows on a second hard disk, and copy the data over from the first - if the repair failed.

 

[sinkoman]

It just corrupted the Windows files, as that was what was running when it lost power. Repair simply checks the files on the hard disk against those on CD and replaces any that are corrupt. The other alternative solution here would have been to install Windows on a second hard disk, and copy the data over from the first - if the repair failed.

PFFT! Doubt it.

When your HDD partition goes bunk, the all your data will star acting up, not just what was running.

The non windows files that are corrupt will just either spread, or conflict with working programs.

And GiantNumbers, you know what I meant.

 

[Ravioli]

ok guys, i did the system REPAIR. The computer could boot up windows but i couldnt log into any account exept one which was the Adminstrator. But the internet didnt work, the sound didnt work, no videos worked, however, games worked but no sound. I cant move files and foldiers either, and i cant copy them. Also, i cant burn files to CDs/DVDs. I also cant create or delete new accounts.

So i was a bit smart and plugged in my external hardrive, to make backups, but since i couldnt move anything i just right clicked on the stuff i wanted to save, chose "archive" with winRAR, and choose it to save the RAR file in the external harddrive. So i got my backups now (relifed)

Anyway, the problem remains. So this time when i booted up the computer with the WindowsXP CD, i chose to FORMAT and completely remove everything and install a fresh windows XP, which its doing the moment im typing this. Hopefully it will work.

However, im a bit worried its a hardware problem, because everytime i start the computer it beebs telling me that something is wrong. Also, when i tryed to play music files it told me that the output for the SoundCard didnt work :/

Anyway, i hope my formation will work, il report back. Thx for the help.

 

[Asus]

Try running Check disk. Maybe set it to run while Windows XP is booting.

Go to RUN (Windows key + R) and type chkdsk.

 

[sinkoman]

You're probably going to have to format either way.

Even if your windows critical system files are fine, the rest of your files sure as hell aren't.

And i'm pretty sure that the corrupted files will spread :/

 

[Ravioli]

I formated and installed XP again and it worked fine. Then i just copied my backup files back into the harddrive and everyone is happy. I dont know what went wrong with my comp, a power surge has never done this to any computer i have worked with.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Try redownloading all of your drivers that might fix the sound problem atleast.
Also if you haven't got a surge protector i strongly recomend you get one. Last time the power got cut on my old pc the power pack blew the Hard drive got corrupted it was never the same after that.