Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 52

Thread: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

  1. #1
    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    572
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Well I am posting from the hubby's laptop right now because mine suddenly crashed ( I guess ?) and when I rebooted it says no operating system.

    I don't have a windows disk so do I need to go buy one ? Can I just install a new copy of XP or what ?

    Thanks for any and all help.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    149
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Yes, regardless of the underlying cause, you will need a copy of XP.

    If it suddenly happened, there is a chance that there may be more wrong than simply the "No OS" message. You may have a hard drive problem, which would need to be corrected before you could install the new version of XP.

  3. #3
    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,493
    Thanks
    120
    Thanked 50 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    This is your chance to become a Linux user!

    There is murmurings of a windows virus going around that is destructive after it spreads it's self. Perhaps you are the unhappy recipient of such a beastie.

    You can go out and buy a new copy of windows (thereby you actually paid Bill Gates twice) that is NOT an upgrade. It'll be around 200 bucks.

    One of the reasons I went Apple is because with the laptop, I got the OS DVD. That rarely happens with windows computers anymore. You either send it in or buy windows AGAIN.

    I would be worried about the hard drive though.

  4. #4
    Veteran Member lwtex52's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Dallas, ByGod, Texas
    Posts
    658
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    The same thing happened to me about a year ago, and it was the result of something called the "KAK" virus. You probably should have a professional check your computer.
    My latest conspiracy theory: I am convinced that Dick Cheney is, in reality, Elmer Fudd.

  5. #5
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jan 2005
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    3,786
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    OMG that sucks!!! Can ya call the Geek Squad to come and look at it? Don't know if they're any good but I see those little cars all over these days (assuming you're in the US)

    Good luck...thank God you have another computer or you'd be jonesing for SW by the end of the day!

  6. #6
    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Boston MA
    Posts
    5,670
    Thanks
    35
    Thanked 144 Times in 74 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    First, look in your floppy drive and make sure there isn't a disk in there. If there's a non-bootable floppy in the drive, your system will fail to boot. I can't tell you how many times I've been called because a system "crashed," only to arrive and find out there's a floppy disk in the drive.

    Second, find your System Restore disc, or borrow a Windows XP disc from a friend. There are many, many options for you before you go and do a clean load unnecessarily, including CHKDSK /R and Windows Repair Installations.

    Third, the Geek Squad are a bunch of friggin' hacks. They're great for my business, but it's cruel to recommend them to a friend...or enemy, for that matter.

    PM me if you want more details.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

  7. #7
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    DylanAngel--

    Geek squad.

    INSULT!
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  8. #8
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    3,354
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 57 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Mast could single-handedly beat down the Geek Squad! Mast= Computer God

  9. #9
    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    572
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    I wish I had the restore disk but I bought this used and it didn't come with the disk.

    I am going to be pretty cranky until I get my laptop fixed because I am an such an internet junkie!

    Bleh, this bites.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    77
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    certainly dont spend $200 on OS CD. borrow CD from other computer or someone. if nothing on your laptop needs saving, you can reinstall from cd. Boot from the windows XP cd.


    can you boot of CD?
    can you boot in safe mode?
    can you access the BIOS?

    could be bad hard disk (most likely), bad cmos battery, bad laptop battery, ....

    plenty of advice on the web.
    http://www.computing.net/windowsme/w...rum/44590.html
    http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hard..._21262726.html

    my $.02
    Last edited by goo321; 12-13-2005 at 09:45 PM.

  11. #11
    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2005
    Location
    falling from grace
    Posts
    1,943
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Casual Observer
    Third, the Geek Squad are a bunch of friggin' hacks. They're great for my business, but it's cruel to recommend them to a friend...or enemy, for that matter.
    Indeed, back when they were a 6 man company, they all had some skills. Now it just a bunch of kiddies following scripts.

    My inlaws called a comparable serivce, and ended up getting charged $300 for a new nic. If you knew what my mother in-law did for a living, it would make you sick that they did that.
    Last edited by lunchbox; 12-14-2005 at 08:10 AM. Reason: the moronathon continues...

  12. #12
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jan 2005
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    3,786
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Mast, I'm sorry! I would never, ever insult you!!!

    Like I said, I have no idea about them, it's just that I see those damn little cars all over the place and my man is full of bruises from playing the Punch Buggy game whenever we see them, LOL.

    This was NOT the way I envisioned you guys jumping all over me!!

  13. #13
    God/dess kitana's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2004
    Location
    kentucky
    Posts
    3,582
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Girl you have to listen to Eric.

    He's a God when it comes to Pc's, he fixed me right up with Firefox, and Avast and I haven't had problem one since! *knock on wood*

    Thanks again Eric! *kisses* muah!
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    Quote Originally Posted by ExoticEngineer View Post
    Feel like a damn salt lick at the goats petting zoo!
    <08SM>

  14. #14
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Some wounds never heal Dylan.
    Some never heal.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  15. #15
    God/dess kitana's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2004
    Location
    kentucky
    Posts
    3,582
    Thanks
    49
    Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    I'll fall for that one Mast.

    Want me to kiss them and make them feel better? Just show this nice lady where it hurts....
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    Quote Originally Posted by ExoticEngineer View Post
    Feel like a damn salt lick at the goats petting zoo!
    <08SM>

  16. #16
    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    572
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Quote Originally Posted by goo321
    certainly dont spend $200 on OS CD. borrow CD from other computer or someone. if nothing on your laptop needs saving, you can reinstall from cd. Boot from the windows XP cd.
    Will a XP from a Dell computer work on my Gateway ?

    Thanks to everyone for all the advice and help.

  17. #17
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    77
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Quote Originally Posted by TarynJolie
    Will a XP from a Dell computer work on my Gateway ?

    Thanks to everyone for all the advice and help.
    not sure. but give it a try. i am going to guess it will work. sounds like other people here have more experience.

    if you dont care about anything on the old computer/hard disk may be simpler to format the hard disk and install windows from scratch. installing without reformatting also a choice.

    (other people suggested -chkdsk /f to fix hard disk.
    -make sure no floppy disk.
    -bad bios settings because bios battery bad causing hard disk to not be found.)


    to save some files or favorites, boot from floppy and copy files to floppy or other computer.

    how old is the laptop?
    //for my very old laptop i had to buy a new hard disk
    Last edited by goo321; 12-14-2005 at 04:13 PM.

  18. #18
    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Posts
    2,495
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    I had something similar happen to my Dell and I needed a new motherboard. Of course I had to deal with 2 billion ignorant tech support guys until they finally sent a qualified guy out to fix it. Fuck dell's tech support!

  19. #19
    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Syracuse
    Posts
    5,921
    Thanks
    369
    Thanked 419 Times in 290 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    make sure the restore disk is the right version -- home, professional, multimedia are common different versions of XP

    likely the flavor of the OEM disk wont affect anything, unless you need a complete restore and then it might

    did you have up to date VIRUS protection before?
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

  20. #20
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    77
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    if you install from scratch (remove everything from hard disk) any operating system should work.

  21. #21
    Featured Member WiseGuy_TX's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Houston,Tx
    Posts
    1,522
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 136 Times in 79 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    ...always a chance the drive has hardware failure in which case XP will not install and all data will be not be recoverable.
    "Peter, did you take Stewie to a strip-club? He smells like sweat and fear." - Lois and Stewie (Family Guy) ... "Through early morning fog I see, Visions of the things to be, The pains that are withheld for me, I realize and I can see..."

  22. #22
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    521
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    As Deogol suggested, you could try Linux, but what I would specifically recommend is a "Live Linux" CD, which runs directly from your CD-Rom drive without being installed on your computer's hard-drive. If you and your husband havve DSL or cable, go to

    http://www.knoppix.org

    then click on "EN" and find the download link. Then download the CD version, not the DVD file, whiche are provided in the ISO format. I'm guessing both your and your husband's laptop can burn CD-Rs. I've had good resullts burning ISOs with a program called "Deep Burner," without having to pay to unlock all of the special features. I can't recall which service I used to download it. It might have been download.com.

    Burn two ISOs, in order to have one spare, and then boot up the Knoppix CD-R and you should be able to surf the Net if you're on DSL or cable. It is somewhat more involved on a dial-up connection.

    This is just a temporary suggestion, while you're looking for a way to restore Windows. But it will give you the ability to surf while you're looking for another solution. The caveat is you will not have IE, but Mozilla instead, the big brother to the Firefox browser. And the KDE desktop provided has some similarities to Windows in how it behaves, but will look much different.

    There are also smaller versions of "Live Linux," for very old computers but they have much more of a "Learning Curve" than does Knoppix.

    Good Luck!
    Last edited by PhaedrusZ; 12-14-2005 at 10:04 PM. Reason: Added one item of information

  23. #23
    Veteran Member girlnew156's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    262
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deogol
    This is your chance to become a Linux user!
    Well, linux has come a long ways, but to each his/her own.

    My favorites.

    http://www.xandros.com/

    http://lycoris.com/

    It has been a while, I used to download and would burn the image files
    onto a disc and voila, nearly instant operating system, more like chop suey.

    Maybe you can still obtain some free, I have no idea.

    Go here to find your free copy.

    http://distrowatch.com/

    But beware, the old saying don't look a gift horse in the mouth, applies here.

    Good luck. Hey, in terms of convienience, Xp is hard to beat.

  24. #24
    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Syracuse
    Posts
    5,921
    Thanks
    369
    Thanked 419 Times in 290 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    If you run from a LINUX boot CD, you will NOT have the full use of your mother board's capabilities. You might not even have drivers for some of your hardware such as sound and ethernet and modem etc. On Unix and Linux, there are no universal drivers. Lack of drivers is one of the problems with unix and the like. Still.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

  25. #25
    Chicagoeditor
    Guest

    Default Re: HELP ! No operating system ? Computer crash ?

    I'm just now trying to put freeBSD onto an old Sony Vaio (formerly running Win95). I've got the kernel on there and this weekend may try and load a GUI and some apps.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-08-2009, 11:30 AM
  2. Computer crash please help!
    By desavirsire in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-28-2008, 10:43 AM
  3. MINIX 3 Operating System
    By LoveSexMoney in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10-15-2007, 02:05 PM
  4. Dancer tricks or Standard operating procedures
    By Niceguy in forum Customer Conversation
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-14-2005, 10:43 AM
  5. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-21-2005, 09:47 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •