Vista is gone!
 

I recently had to run OPHcrack from SourceForge.
While booting from the CD the computer was interrupted and now it will not load Windows Vista.

When it boots, I see the memory test, HDD and mouse are detected.
Then an error comes up stating

"System configuration data updated"
"ERROR"
"System configuration data read error"
F1 to continue F2 to run setup.

I am unable to restore Vista as I purchased the computer used and have no Vista CD to perform a recovery.

I do have a copy of Unbuntu that I can use for repair.

Is there a way to recover the boot record and get Vista to work again?
I understand Vista's boot record works a little different than other OSs.

I am fluent in DOS but have NO Linux experience.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

Sounds like bad hardware
 

[QUOTE=sbergdor;3720389]

...

"System configuration data updated"
"ERROR"
"System configuration data read error"
F1 to continue F2 to run setup.

...

Sbergdor,

Unfortunately your problem is hardware related and not OS/Software related. You could try clearing the BIOS settings and see if that corrects it. One other option is to remove and re-seat all of the cards and components (memory and CPU included). Don't know your PC hardware skill level so I will have to advise unplugging the power and removing the battery (if it is a laptop) before attempting any of the before mentioned. If the unit is less than a year old, I would contact the manufacturer and see about so support for it. :hattip:

I am afraid not.
Anything you can do can potentially delete things to beyond recovery.
The only safe option would be to borrow XP or a vista CD and then boot to safe mode
and run fixboot.

I would suggest another option (if you are a type of person who is okay taking risks).
If you have any other system where you can download from internet, then,
you can use this
http://www.supergrubdisk.org/
download and burn it in a CD and boot from that CD.
This will show you and help you boot from the harddisk even of the MBR is not working (assuming
that the Vista bootloader is still intact in its own partition )

Sorry, left out some info.
I am still able to boot from the Linux CD and all works fine, hardware seems fine at this point.
Very schooled in hardware and Windows.

Thanks again for the help

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

'Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download' is something you should have on hand. :hattip:

The above link and others available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!