SS: The computer just died

[ufcrusher]

I have been using some special proprietary bar studying software which I received in 2001 when I took the California bar. Unfortunately, the software was only on one of our computers, an old Compaq laptop and available from a download. The computer which is quite old (bought in 98) is slower than mollasses and has a bunch of other problems. I decided to go to Windows Updater and see what if any patches were available for the computer. 16 critical things were listed, with the first one being help for Internet explorer. Given the fact that IE was one of the programs that had been acting wacky, I figured there would be no harm in doing the update.

The computer downloaded the update and asked for a reboot. I rebooted the system and rather than coming back up normally, it asked for the program key. I dug around until I found a key for that program and entered it in. I figured that it was just from being restarted and no big deal. Unfortunately, the computer then booted up so that ONLY the Wallpaper is there. An error message appears for Windows Explorer and absolutely nothing will come up.

I am furious because the program that I need is only on there and nowhere else! In order to get another copy of it I would need to sign up for a whole new study course, which is not going to happen.

I really dont get how a simple software update could cause the computer to go that crazy. My wife cant believe I bothered to try to do anything to that old system and thinks that I shouldnt have even bothered. Freaking annoying.

[AlpineJay]

well, first of all I'm very sorry that's happened to you. but it looks like there could be some solutions...

why can't you just pull out the hard drive, stick it in a $20 2.5" enclosure and access the files on it using a different machine? that way, you'd be able to retrieve the files and possibly begin working on getting the machine back up to speed. I don't know which OS you're running but if all else fails, try to boot it in safe mode and see if you can uninstall some of the updates you recognize. maybe that'll bring it back.

[ufcrusher]

I tried booting in safe mode, no go. I tried booting from the CD-rom, no go. Yes, I went into the bios and reset the order in which it tried to boot but I think the Cdrom is worthless.

As for pulling the drive, I think that may be the way to go. My wife is more than a bit upset regarding the death of her old computer. It was an old Windows 98 (non-SE) laptop.

I can access DOS so I may be able to get some of the files off without tearing the system down. I am concerned that the pulled drive idea might cause more problems than its worth as I think there is some sort of virus that is causing 99% of these issues.

[Jeffbx]

Sounds like you need a copy of the Ultimate Boot CD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/). Boot off of that bad boy & you can not only see & retreive the files on your HD, but you can scan for viruses & spyware from the CD, too.