[USMarine]

A friend of mine was having some trouble with her Toshiba Laptop.
It has Vista 32-Bit installed.

Let me start with some problems it has.
Right after the BIOS load (after manufacturer logo) it gives this loud alarm sounding noise. In order to turn it off, you need to press a key on the keyboard. Then, once Windows starts to load, it freezes, and if you move the mouse a little, it goes and freezes a second later. If you press a key on the keyboard, it goes on as normal. Her PC is extremely slow, I have reasons to believe that this is due to a virus or viruses. She uses limewire and has no antivirus program

Her 'S' key isn't working properly. It sometimes doesn't work at all, and most times (everytime at the start) presses itself repeatedly until another key is pressed. I am starting to see a pattern here.

Anyways, I went to install Windows 7 on her PC. During the install, the hole freezing thing kept happening.
The install seemed to be working fine, until it was over and it re-booted.

Now, after the annoying alarm sound mentioned earlier, all I see is a black screen with a cursor on the top left side.
Nothing happens and I am forced to reboot. Now, I can't access the newly installed OS.
I can't even access the Boot Up menu with Safe Mode and such options.
I am, again, re-installing Windows 7 as I am writing this, hoping that this time it will go alright.

Here's a list of questions I have. The list might grow bigger as time goes by.

1. What the f*ck is that alarm sound?
2. What's up with the freezing thing? (Needing to press a key to continue)
3. If that freezing thing happens while an OS was installing, can that cause errors in the installation, causing my black screen problem?
4. If needed, can I download a Vista 32-Bit version from here, burn it to a DVD and run the install? This is a good option if the Windows 7 thing is about compatibility issues. If I do this, will it keep her files? If not, read #6
5. Dumbest question, how can I solve this?
6. Finally, this one is for Wraith, however, everyone is welcome to answer. How do I Boot into Ubuntu using a flash drive to, at least, be able to retrieve her files, even if the PC is wasted.

Thank You all for you help and time.

Sempers,

//USMarine

EDIT:

I was looking through Google for similar problems and I came across this: http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/664710.htm

This is using Windows Vista. If I follow that procedure, will it work on Windows 7 as well? *Looks at Wraith* Yea, I'm talking to you.

This post has been edited by USMarine: 18 June 2010 - 03:41 PM

[GTReventon]

First of all. Im not Wraith. That means I might be wrong or right.

Well I think I can answer some numbers there...


1. That Alarm/Beep sound is mostly from the BIOS Beep. My sis has Toshiba Laptop too (Im using right now) and sometimes it give some VERY loud Beep at the BIOS Screen.

2. Idk. I assume its a virus like what you said?

3. Probably yes. Because of the Lag/Hang on Install. You are forced to restart it but the installation was disrupted so System Files could be corrupted.

4. Im not sure. Please ask Wraith for that.

5. You can solve this by asking either Wraith or Anemone.

6. Well I tried using the Universal USB Installer found on the Official Ubuntu page. It works for me. - http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download (Refer to the Section 2)

Well Those might be right or wrong. And about that Link. Probably Wraith knows whats right

[USMarine]

Alright, thank you, Proton and Wraith.

Wraith, the whole freezing thing isn't a problem with the burned image, her computer does this everytime.

So, if I do install Vista again, will it keep her files? When I installed Win 7 on my PC using your upload (Wraith) and when I did a custom install, it saved all the files in a Windows.Old folder. Will it do it here too?

And regarding the link I posted at the bottom, will that work?

http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/664710.htm

[USMarine]

That's the easiest way to mount the Hard Drive?

Does this method work?

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper#Windows

I've never used Linux before, so this is all new to me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[USMarine]

1. Alright, so again, can I use this method with Windows 7?

http://forums.techarena.in/vista-setup-install/664710.htm

2. Will installing Vista again remove all data and files, or will it keep it in Windows.Old?

3. And to get this correct, I run Ubuntu with a flash drive. I would do this by loading into the BIOS and selecting it to Boot through the flash drive? I then run Ubuntu. I put Unibootin on a DVD and insert it. I run Unibootin to mount the hard drive. Transfer harddrive files to DVD. Then, try to fix f*cked up computer. I will eventually fix the computer, I just want to make sure all of her data gets saved. Or else, my fiancee would beat the crap out of him. (The girl I'm helping is one of her friends)

Thanks again Wraith, for your help. You too, Proton.

[USMarine]

Alright Wraith. Thanks a lot for you help.

I will follow the instructed steps and see where it gets me.

Cheers!

[USMarine]

Another thing, can I install the Unibootin thing and select the Ubuntu ISO on my computer, then set it to run from the USB Drive on her computer? Because I can't access her OS at all.