vista stopped working

Hi guys, I have an ACER Inspiration laptop with Vista Home, 2 years old. It has stopped working. It loads the desktop and icons, but after that it doesn`t respond to any key. Unable to start any programs. My problem is that as it is an OEM system, there is no CD, so I can´t restart my computer from cd-rom. Sometimes it runs a checkdisk by itself, and offers that I should restart the computer in safe mode. I did so but having the same problem, just icons, no programs. Anyone can give me advice how to restart it? Many Thanks, Nandi

have you tried a recovery cd of some sort? I use a live linux distro to delete things that could cause problems. However you may want to get a hold of the computer manufacturer and tell them to send you a vista disc. they should. Isn't it part of Microsoft's agreement that the key has to be shipped with the media it came on? I heard they did this so people wouldn't sell product keys by themselves. Can you get into anything before the OS fully loads? Can you boot into safe mode?

Hi Sorry to hear about the problems with your Acer laptop
Remixedcat's suggestion of using a Live Linux distro disc to copy off all your important data and files (to removable media) is an excellent one.
The idea is to use a Linux self contained operating system running purely in memory (usually referred to as Live) to access your hard drive and copy off anything that may be missing from your regular back up…..here's how to do it.
The following is taken from a tutorial I prepared some time ago, but if you follow all the steps, its an easy procedure to do and doesn't take long….
Good luck with it!

Linux Puppy backup
Back up when you can't boot into Windows
A.) Please take the opportunity now to bring your back up/archive/copy of all your important stuff 100% up to date, check that it's accurate, reproducible and held securely on removable media (not your hard drive)……
the idea here is to ensure that all your important data, files, spreadsheets, work, music, emails, log in details, user names, address book, drivers, letters, invoices, videos etc….in fact everything that is important to you (stuff that you would not like to permanently lose) is kept safe on external media. I recommend the use of a USB external hard drive for this.
Whilst you are doing this, collect together all your application installation discs (or downloaded installation executables) serial numbers, product licence keys (including the one for Windows itself and the Microsoft Windows installation disc and or Manufacturer's Restore and Driver/utilities discs.
If you have made a "disc image" using Paragon, Acronis, Ghost or one of the free disc imaging alternatives then keep this image safe also on removable media, verify it for correctness and reproducibility and ensure you have made a bootable CD/DVD for use in the event that Windows will not start.

Now here's the detailed instructions on how to download Puppy and burn it as an image.
B.) Download Linux Puppy from here:
http://puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Download Latest Release.htm://http://puppylinux.org/main/index.ph…est Release.htm
Its a download of only about 100MB, so a broadband connection is advisable for the download… Puppy is an alternative operating system….. it does not need Windows to run, and the licence to use it is free of charge and comes included automatically. It is different in its interface from Windows, but sufficiently intuitive for most folks to use it successfully without problem.
C.) Burn the iso (that you have downloaded) to CD ROM as an "image"…it must be as an image, a copy will not work!……..Imgburn is good for this, available from here:
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
NOTE by following this procedure you will have created a "self contained" operating system" (Linux Puppy and a bootable CD ROM all in one!
D.) Switch on your "original" computer and Set Bios to Boot from CD as first priority…on most Dells it's F2 to enter the Bios (set up) otherwise try F12, Esc or Delete.On some older Compaqs and HP's try F1, for Acers try F1 or F2 or Ctrl +Alt+Esc (the first screen on boot up usually gives the keys to press to enter "Set Up"..BIOS)
NOTE you will need to press the appropriate key (to enter the Bios) immediately after power on.
Your hard drive should be next in priority followed by USB/network if the settings provide these options. Remember to save your altered settings in the Bios before exiting
E.) With your external back up media plugged in to a USB port I.E. External USB hard drive, flash drive etc and the Linux Puppy CD ROM inserted into the CD drive, close down your machine and:
F.) Boot from the CD, you may get a message to "press any key to continue booting from CD" so allow this, Now follow the on-screen Linux Puppy prompts (remember don't install it) let it run in memory, it will be quite happy doing so, and will allow you access to your Hard drive so you can copy off to your external media anything you need. You will soon get used to Puppy and you'll find that you will be able to use the Internet and do most things that you want to do. However as you need to back up your files, I suggest you concentrate on copying off your important stuff first.If you are not experienced with using Linux then an easy way to copy files is to open windows of both the C drive from which you want to copy stuff and also your flash/USB drive, and then just use "drag and drop". Puppy will provide full support for USB drives and you should soon find you get the hang of things/i]

Once you have have copied off everything you need then you can use the Acer Recovery System to restore your machine back to its "Factory Settings and condition"………Its important that you understand before using Acer recovery System that this will wipe everything from your computer, all your applications programs, data, emails photos, music, your PHD thesis etc etc….. and then restore it to its factory or out of the box condition….Thats why its so important to copy off all your important stuff before using Acer Recovery System.
If the Acer Recovery is installed on your computer, and it should be, then you start it by pressing Alt and F10 together immediately after pressing the power on button to start up your machine..you may need to experiment a few times to get your timing perfect…….The Acer Recovery system Screen will load and you then must follow onscreen instructions…the whole process of the Acer recovery is very quick and you should be up and running in about 15 minutes.

The Acer Recovery system also allows you to create system recovery disc for use in the future should disaster ever strike again and its strongly recommended that you make them ..just follow the directions (on screen)

If by any chance you do not have the Acer System Recovery on your laptop then you will need to contact Acer and/or the original vendor and obtain the Vista installation disc …… you will almost certainly be asked to pay for these.
Good luck
Regards
paws

Hi everybody, Thanks for detailed answer. I did step by step everything. I could save my important data. Unfortunately windows was unable to start again. I received a message as: kernel-data-inpage-error technical information: ***STOP:0x0000007A(0x8800C160,0xC0000185,0x790E88C4,0x8AC00000). So now I am contacting acer customer service. Many thanks for help, I really enjoyed imageburn program. It is funny and simple Nandi

Hi A 7a stop error can be several things but it would be wise to check your memory (RAM) first…. first make sure your machine is switched off, then remove all wires including the power wire and then remove the battery: Taking all personal safety and ESD (antistatic) precautions take out a single ram chip (memory module) mark it with a tiny dot of coloured tape( on the label only) and make a note of which slot it came from), and clean gently the contacts with a soft pencil eraser (the empahasis is on gentle!), do not replace it if you have two memory modules, try and boot up using just the one memory module. If no joy then remove the unmarked mem module and replace the marked one in its slot…… now see if it will reboot….. You need to try all possible combinations of memory modules and slots so write everything down in advance and cross them off as you go, dont forget to try a reboot in between each attempt. Did you manage to get into the Acer Recover System using Alt +F10 ? Regards paws

Hi Paws, I will try this RAM check. I could start Acer Recovery, it did worked once, than I had the message like please wait until windows loads. And I had this message for about 10 hours on my screen. Than I switched off my laptop. And since that it is returning the kernel error message. Regards, Nandi

Ok that does sound as though it is hardware related…try the work on the RAM and then try the Acer Recovery again and see how you go Regards paws