My computer has gone completely nuts, and I cannot fix it with a system restore that will backup all my data files. The computer works somewhat. I can access the internet and access just aout everything except my desktop. But I get a million error messages and I can't run my anti-virus or update anything.
I have about 50GB worth of various files that I would like to keep before I do a full system restore.
What would be the best way to save these files so that I can reformat my computer?
2007-08-13 03:05:47 · 7 answers · asked by iswthunder 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Buy an external USB2 hard drive, they are available from about 40G to 500+G now
Move data to that, reinstall windows (www.windowsreinstall.com has good wguides if you need help)
Install Anti virus, connect Ext hdd with files, and SCAN IT immediately
Install antivirus BEFORE anything else and before any significant use of internet.
2007-08-13 03:13:12 · answer #1 · answered by stu_the_kilted_scot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BEFORE you do a reformat, you will have to back up your files to an external device like a dvd or cd burner or an external HD. With your computer screwing up so bad that may be a problem. Back up as much as you can then TRY A REPAIR REINSTALL. You will need your installation CD or one belonging to a friend (you won't be installing new OS you just need it as a source of system files) and you will need to set your computer bios to boot to the CD.
Restart your computer will the windows CD in the drive. When you get to the screen where you get a choice like
To set up windows now press enter...
To bTo repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R
HIT ENTER DO NOT PRESS "R" (the recovery console is to geeky and not what you want)
Agree to the licensing agreement and let windows detect your previous installation. Once it detects the previous installation you will get another chance to press "R" to repair that installation. Now is the time to press "R". This will reinstall critical system files then reboot. On this reboot do not "press any key to boot to CD" let it startup on its own then remove the CD. Your system will have refreshed system files but your applications and files will not be changed.
THIS MAY FIX YOUR PROBLEMS. Now would be a good time to run your antivirus program and scan your system for spyware.. some free options are below
Antivirus http://free.grisoft.com/
Spybot http://spybot.com/
2007-08-13 10:28:04 · answer #2 · answered by Fremen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends upon what capabilities you have lost. If you have Windows, I would try transferring them to an external hard drive. There are external hard drives that will cover 50 GB and do not cost that much. They plug into a USB port.
If your files are in "My Documents", right click and click on "Send To". Somewhere you will find your external hard drive listed by a letter. On my computer it is Drive M. On your computer, it may be different, depending upon the number of drives and devices you have attached.
Good luck, I hope you get everything important backed up.
2007-08-13 10:17:14 · answer #3 · answered by kg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can, burn them to dvd's.
Another option is to get a second hard drive and copy them to there.
If those aren't an option, figure out what files you really need. If its stuff you got off the internet, then delete those, because you can download them again.
If they are documents, zip them up, the 50 Gig, will compress into like 25 gig.
Another way, if you can get online, there are sites, like xdrive.com that you can upload your files to.
If you have another computer, or a friend with a computer, you could take your hard drive out, and slave it in the other computer, and copy what you really need.
2007-08-13 10:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by George P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With that much I would buy another hard drive, plus there is a chance your old hard drive is going bad if your getting a lot of error messages...just depends on what the messages are saying. So either buy another hard drive and transfer the files or start burning them to a dvds.
2007-08-13 10:12:59 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reboot your computer, press F8, enter Safe Mode. Plug an external hard drive, and backup your 50 GB of files in there.
2007-08-13 10:15:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you may need another hard drive, 80GB will do just to put the operating system. reformat the drive, then, make this drive your "master" then your old drive your "slave". after the reformat, 80GB drive will become Drive C then your old HDD will become Drive D, then copy all you files to drive C. now your files has been backed up, just reversed the proceedure to return to your old hard drive after you reformat it.
2007-08-13 10:37:30 · answer #7 · answered by Japoy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋