HELP!! Laptop Won't Come On

[jbbrown211]

I have an Asus G2S laptop and just had to do a hard shut down.

When I rebooted, it gave me the option to
1. Launch Startup Repair (Recommended)
2. Start windows normally

If I enter option #1, the screen flashes and the same screen with options 1 & 2 comes back on.

If I enter option #2, it start to reboot with the Asus logo, then also comes back to the same screen.

I find the same results even when booting with any of the Safe Mode options. Not sure what to do to get it back on.

[rjfvillarosa]

My first step would be to run the harddrive manufacturers diagnostics. Do you have access to another machine that you could download the diagnostic software to and burn it to a CD? does that laptop have a CD or DVD drive?

[jbbrown211]

I'll give that a shot. When I get the software burned to a CD, how to I get it to boot up from the CD when I start the laptop?

[rjfvillarosa]

If you dont see a menu for entering setup or changing the boot order on the BIOS splash screen then it will be trial and error as to what key to press to enter setup, it's usually one of the lower F number keys, the Esc key or sometimes the Delete key.

[jbbrown211]

Just talked to the Asus tech...they said windows has some fundamental issue that isn't even letting it start in safe mode, etc. They basically told me I had to reformat.

However, I need to get the info off my hard drive before I do that. They suggested taking the HDD out, getting an adapter, and connecting it to another machine to dump my data onto...then putting it back into my notebook and do a clean reformat.

My hard drive is a Hitachi 7K200-200
Model# HTS722020K9SA00

Question 1: What adapter/enclosure can I get that is inexpensive and will fit that hard drive.
Question 2: Is it still worth trying the hard drive diagnostic boot before I get into all this?

[shadowpr]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...20-OTB&cpc=SCH

Runnign the hard drive diagnostics is free, so it's still worth it in my opinion. This way if the hard drive is bad, you won't waste time trying to install windows again.

[rjfvillarosa]

I would try the harddrive diagnostics first, it's only a ten cent CD and you can do that while you wait for your adapter to arrive.
Have a read of this thread about harddrive adapters:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=204049

[jbbrown211]

Got the adapter...never got to run the diagnostics.

I just want to make sure I get the sequence right here.

1. Remove hard drive from ASUS notebook (DONE).

2. Use adapter to connect Hard Drive to secondary PC (DONE).

3. "Dump" all data/files from hard drive onto the secondary PC (IN PROGRESS)
QUESTION: Do I need to copy my "windows" folder to the secondary PC if I'm just going to be reinstalling on my ASUS notebook?

4. Put Hard Drive back into ASUS notebook

5. Re-Install windows on ASUS notebook

6. Remove Hard Drive from ASUS notebook

7. Connect to secondary PC and pull ALL of my data/files back onto the Hard Drive

8. Put hard drive back into ASUS notebook and all will be back to normal...files, etc?

If you could answer my QUESTION above, and verify if my steps are correct I would appreciate it.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 QUESTION: Do I need to copy my "windows" folder to the secondary PC if I'm just going to be reinstalling on my ASUS notebook?

No

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 4. Put Hard Drive back into ASUS notebook

Yes

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 5. Re-Install windows on ASUS notebook

Yes

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 6. Remove Hard Drive from ASUS notebook

Yes

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 7. Connect to secondary PC and put ALL of my data/files back onto the Hard Drive.

Yes

Originally Posted by jbbrown211 8. Put hard drive back into ASUS notebook and all will be back to normal...files, etc?.

Yes



Easy isn't it?....

[jbbrown211]

Easier than I was expecting. Thanks...I'll let you know how it turns out!

[rjfvillarosa]

Are you saving the My Documents folder or the individual folders from your lappy harddrive?

[jbbrown211]

I was just pulling everything that shows up, except "Windows"...there's a lot in My Documents, but also some other folders

[rjfvillarosa]

It's a bit long winded but I find it easier to save the My Documents folder itself. Then when transfering them back to the reinstalled Windows, do a spring clean on all the folders and transfer them back individually.
I don't do this on customers machines obviously only my own....they can clean up their own files....

[jbbrown211]

Makes sense, maybe I'll go that route. Thanks again

[rjfvillarosa]

Just a thought, But. It's possible you still have a faulty harddrive. Copy the document folders back to the reinstalled Windows rather than "cut and paste", keep the document folders backed up until you are certain the harddrive is OK.

[jbbrown211]

I was thinking the same thing and was sure to copy rather than cut/paste. I'm waiting for everything to finish, then will put the HDD back in the notebook. Already re-installed windows, seemed to be no issues.