H this is a friends notebook. For some reason it doesn't fully boot into windows. It gets the splash screen and goes back to the system specs or whatever that text area is called and repeats this pattern over and over. Is the only option using a system restore cd? She hasn't got one so is it a downloadable thing or should i just borrow one from someone. I know they erase all data and i would have to download the drivers for that machines hardware if i use that route. Is there something else i can do as she may not have backed up her data? "The meaning of life is to be happy and useful" Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama

First set about preserving data etc....? Boot with Knoppix or Ubuntu CD/DVD; after-which access the drive's contents and copy all those files etc. you'd like to preserve - to opical media. And verify they can be accessed by at least one other system. Then set about recovering a working system.

If it's an OEM system like Compaq, Dell, etc, they usually have a hidden partition on the hard drive with a recovery image of the system the way it came from the factory. The restore can usually be done by hitting keyboard key(s) during a boot. Check the manufacturer's web site for the procedure to follow. Some even have a way to do a non-destructive (repair) restore.

Ah yes that is a good idea aegis1 . I have Ubuntu on hand so can use that. :0) Yes i did download the manual after i posted and saw that there is something there but haven't had time to look closely. What is a non-destructive (repair) restore? "The meaning of life is to be happy and useful" Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama

A 'non-destructive restore' refreshes the Operating System code without affecting the user's files/data. However it 'will' remove any windows updates. Not all systems have it, Some only do a 'Destructive Restore', which restores the system to the way it came from the factory.

Ah ok. Thanks for that info! "The meaning of life is to be happy and useful" Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama

And again - first (just in-case...) set about (Ubuntu etc... boot) preserving data as in copy to optical media... Safer than sorrier...