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Re: [OM] (OM) Computers

Subject: Re: [OM] (OM) Computers
From: Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 11:45:55 -0500
Did you attempt to boot the machine in "safe mode"?  Booting in safe 
mode allows booting with only a minimal set of supporting software such 
as device drivers.  From the Wiki article "safe mode"
=======================================================================
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and 
Linux Mint are examples of contemporary operating systems that implement 
a safe mode (called "Safe Boot" in Mac OS X); as well as other complex 
electronic devices.

An operating system in safe mode will have reduced functionality, but 
the task of isolating problems is easier because many non-core 
components are disabled. An installation that will only boot into its 
safe mode typically has a major problem, such as disk corruption or the 
installation of poorly configured software that prevents the operating 
system from successfully booting into its normal operating mode.

Though it varies by operating system, typically safe mode loads as few 
executable modules as possible and usually disables devices, except for 
the minimum necessary to display information and accept input. Safe mode 
can also take the form of a parallel "miniature" operating system that 
has no configuration information shared with the normal operating 
system. For example, on Microsoft Windows, the user can also choose to 
boot to the Recovery Console, a small text-based troubleshooting mode 
kept separate from the main operating system (and can also be accessed 
by booting the install CD), or to various "safe mode" options that run 
the dysfunctional OS, but with features such as video drivers, audio and 
networking disabled.

Safe mode typically provides access to utility and diagnostic programs 
so a user can troubleshoot what is preventing the operating system from 
working normally. Safe mode is intended for maintenance, not 
functionality, and provides minimal access to features.

Microsoft Windows' safe mode (for Vista/XP/2K/ME/98/95[citation needed]) 
is accessed by pressing the F8 key as the operating system boots.[1] 
Also, in a multi-boot environment with multiple versions of Windows 
installed side by side, the F8 key can be pressed at the OS selector 
prompt to get to safe mode. However, under Windows 8 (released in 2012), 
the traditional press-F8-for-safe-mode-options UI convention no longer 
works, and either Shift-F8 or a special GUI-based workaround is 
necessary.[1]

An equivalently minimal setting in Unix-like operating systems is 
single-user mode, in which daemons and the X Window System are not 
started, and only the root user can log in and which allows an 
administrative account commonly known as "root" to have its password 
reset without knowing what it is first.[2] On Mac OS versions 6, 7, 8 
and 9, a similar mode is achieved by holding down the shift key while 
booting, which starts the system without extensions. In Mac OS X holding 
the shift key after powering up activates Safe Boot that has background 
maintenance features (Besides the mode selection, it runs a file system 
repair, and in Mac OS 10.4, it disables all fonts other than those in 
/System/Library/Fonts, moves to the Trash all font caches normally 
stored in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/(uid)/, where (uid) is a user ID 
number such as 501, and disables all startup items and any Login Items) 
and can reset an administrative accounts' password.[3] In Windows, safe 
mode with networking, one of the variations of safe mode, can be used to 
troubleshoot network issues. In OS X, Safe Boot always includes networking.
======================================================================

If you can boot the machine in safe mode you may be able to get to 
"System Restore".  Each time the OS goes through some significant system 
software update the OS sets a "restore point".  That is, it makes copies 
of the files to be updated in the event there is a problem caused by the 
update itself.  One can then return the system to that prior point. 
There should be many restore points available to you.  Your problem is 
to find the most recent one that allows your system to boot.  If there 
is one (and there may not be) you may be able to get the system running 
properly again without the complete restoration of system and apps. It's 
also possible that, even if you're able to get the system running again, 
further system updates to bring the system back to the level it should 
be could reproduce the same problem.  But that will likely happen anyhow 
even if the system is restored from scratch.

If it was me I would not be doing what you're doing.
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft is dropping all further support of XP in a matter of weeks. 
Even if you get it back up and running you're going to be faced with 
problems of another kind.  Don't go there.  Bite the bullet and get a 
Win 7 machine.  Go for a refurb'd model to save some money (and for a 
better chance of finding a Win 7 vs Win 8 machine).  I will be replacing 
my wife's Dell XP laptop very soon with a Win 7 laptop for the same 
reason.  The old Dell laptop will be re-purposed as a Linux machine 
(maybe Puppy Linux) and will be used solely for banking and investment 
transactions.  It will likely only ever know about 4 or 5 websites. 
Note that browser infections from infected websites are now a much more 
likely cause of security breaches than viruses infecting the OS.  That 
goes for Apple and Linux too.

ps:  If you can get the old machine to boot in safe mode or with the Win 
XP install disk (or read the disk by attaching to another computer) you 
might want to take an inventory of applications installed.  You've 
likely forgotten about many of them but not necessarily because they're 
forgettable.  Compare your set of install disks with those things you 
actually use.

Chuck Norcutt



On 2/22/2014 9:58 AM, bj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>
> Chuck advised;
>
> Ah, but what happens to your apps. Your apps are
> not data in the same
> sense that your images, email and other documents
> are. After the OS is
> reinstalled the old applications must also be
> reinstalled to rebuild the
> registry. That requires having the
> installation media or whatever
> source provided the installation files
> in the first place. Make sure
> you know what you bargained for.
>
> Chuck
> Norcutt
> //////////////////////////////
>
> On 2/21/2014 4:25 PM,
> bj@xxxxxxxxxxxx.nzwrote:
>
>> Before I went on holiday nearly a month ago,
> my computer failed - wouldn't boot at all. I finally, yesterday, took it
> to a repairman of good repute, who has just reported back that the
> operating system is corrupt. So he will lift the data off, reformat the
> HDD, re-install XP, and re-load the data. It will be great to have it
> back again. Brian
>
>   /////////////////////////////
>
> I understand ( I
> think I do). But what alternatives, if any, do I have?.
>
> In most
> instances I have saved the install file original, so re-installation
> should be possible. (But I have MANY programs installed :-( )
>
> Can you
> please respond also off-group as well as on; I get this news via the
> Digest, which incorporates a delay of some hours. The sooner I can get
> back to the repair-man and discuss, the better.
>
> I know he has a major
> job for a large outfit to get his head around (during the weekend)
> before he tackles my machine, but nevertheless the sooner I can speak
> with him the better.
>
> Man; will I ever love to get my machine back !!!.
>
>
> The wretched keyboard of this HP Pavilion dv6 just about drives me
> nuts.
>
> I DO however like the Windows 7 version of "Free-cell" though.
>
>
> Brian
>
>
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