My son is home from uni and a problem has come up with his laptop. When you boot up, it had an error with the pagefile (missing). When I followed instructions to set it up and reboot, the same proiblem happened. If you ignore it, there are then similar messages when you try to run programs.

Now, the first message on bootup is something like c:$Secure is corrupt and unreadable and does not allow you past it.

I set up the system originally with an external hard disk and my son has been doing backups, so I don't think any major data files will be lost, but I have not been able to recover the system itself. The PC comes with a Recovery system (PC Doctor) and I have tried hardware diagnostics - everything, including the hard disk, seems to be OK - but the restore Windows option to an earlier recovery point (weekly backups) makes no difference, and the restore to factory settings option described in the manual is not actually available. I don't have (or have lost) any separate Windows reinstall disks...

One thing the system suggested was to do chkdsk on the hard drive, but I can't find out how to get it to boot into Windows Safe Mode or DOS - does anyone know the interrupt Function key for the boot sequence?

So, has anyone got any ideas, or have a Lenovo XP recovery disk that I could have a copy of?

Alternatively, I could install Linux, but although I have looked at various flavours a bit over the years, I don't have any real life experience, and I am a bit wary of setting it up and sending my son back to uni with an OS that I can't easily help him with remotely.

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Edited on 01.08.2009 by Humbug]

F8 will get you into the safe mode boot menu. Press it after the laptop/pc has finshed counting memory and before the Windows logo appears.

I have the same lappy....

They didn't come with install/recovery discs......

F8 as said above, and does the lappy have a 'button', very top row to the right of the on/off button? it has an orange tool box with a picture of a spanner.

If so, you have the function called Lenovo Care, when you switch the puter on you can interrupt normal start up, much the same as the F8 (safe mode) does.

I have never had to use it......so cannot vouch for how (or if) efficient it is.

Once you have it back up and running, go to Start > Programmes, Lenovo Care, where there should be an option to create Recovery media, should the problem occur again...

Good luck,
Fozzie

OK, will try F8

Foz - the Lenovo Care button (orange with tool) is what I was using where there "should" be an option to restore to factory settings... but ther isn't.

Thanks

Just get on and fix it Dad




This is how come it got broken



Hope you get it fixed



[Edited on 1-8-09 by mangogrooveworkshop]

F8 comes up with the menu (Safe Mode, Safe mode with networking, etc.) but when you select Safe Mode, it just cycles round and brings up the menu again.

Might give Linux a go, otherwise look for a WinXP install disk...

Si, is he running IE per chance?

If you can get into it at all ...try uninstalling Internet Explorer.....
and reboot......

If ok, you may have to find a version of IE from somewhere other than the net to reinstall, or, download FireFox onto a memory stick from your PC, and install that on his......

Fozz

Another thought.....

chkdsk.exe is located in:-

My Computer > C > Windows > System32

I do know that to ask it to fix whilst it scans you have to add the parameter /f so it would be:- chkdsk/f

But.....I have not had to use it in XP so I cannot tell you step by step...

Hopefully someone here can.....

Fozzie

If you have access to a PC via broadband with CD writing capability you could download a bootdisk, boot pc from that and run chkdsk from that
Will U2U you a link to my bootdisk if needed
(got some usefull tools on there as well as chkdsk)

Regards
Rob

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to bite the bullet and installed Kubuntu 9.04... s far, so good: got wireless internet working, imported the old Thunderbird emails, set up folders, etc. A few o/s questions include:

How to set up sharing files across the home LAN (not that important), set up printer, etc.

Kubuntu linky