Also, he just reported to me that before the getting this screen, he got a BSOD that something to the affect of "If this is the first time seeing this screen, turn off this computer and start it again"
It sounds very much like his hard drive has failed.
I will move this post to hardware to see if the techs can assist….
if they get it back booting and there is malware, it can be moved back here for cleaning.
Hi, This "episode" could be an early warning of impending failure..probably of the hard drive. If this fails it will take everything that is on the computer with it…
All the programs Windows itself and the data, documents photos, music, your PhD thesis maybe.
Here's the things you need to consider doing…….today…..don't leave it until tomorrow…! Your hard drive may continue to work for a while…on the other hand there may be no tomorrow for it at all!
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.
By doing this you will have a great advantage..should disaster strike!
Good luck
Regards
paws
Thanks. There is nothing that important on the HD. It's my 13 year old son's machine and he mainly uses it to surf the net for Bakugan & Yu-Gi-Oh! related info or to watch vids on You Tube or elsewhere. I will him know about backing up what's important to him.
…collect together all your application installation discs (or downloaded installation executables) serial numbers, product license keys (including the one for Windows itself and the Microsoft Windows installation disc and or Manufacturer's Restore and Driver/utilities discs.
What if I do not have any of these discs. I got this laptop for my son from Xmas off of ebay. It was a "corporate lease turn in", "gently used in a corporate environment." It didn't come with any of the aforementioned discs. I figured, for $200, I really can't go wrong & I completely understood it was one of those you-get-what-you-pay-for situations.
If you dont have the discs then you really need a disc image ..kept safe on removable media….. Then in the event of serious trouble, that cannot be fixed in a timely or cost effective way by the normal means then you can reformat and or stick in a new hard drive, reimage it and be back, "up and running" in less time than it takes to walk the dog.
Regards
paws
Is there any preventative maintenance I can do so that the HD doesn't eventually fail?
No not really…all hard drives will eventually fail..its just a question of use and time…
however if you keep it running cool ( keep it clean, the case well ventilated and with all fans running correctly and avoid any shocks, banging dropping or kicking the case etc you will provide the best environment for a usefully long life.Don't defrag it too often..every 3 to 6 months is Ok for a lightly used machine.
Regards
paws
