HELP! Computer crashed w/ Mandrake 9.1 install

devans · 09-18-2003, 09:42 AM

I was trying to install Mandrake 9.1 on my desktop when it prompted me that I needed to defreg, so i did. When I rebooted to continue install it still said I needed to defrag so i rebooted again to go into windows and uninstall more programs and defrag again when my comp came up on safe mode.Did a restore and rebooted, only now, when boots up screen comes up saying something about couldn't start virus protection, i click ok, comp goes thru boot into windows but when it gets to point I can do something, lots of vertical black and white lines come up on screen then goes blank! What in the world did I do and how can I fix this? I don't have my windows cd since this comp came preloaded (I bought it used) and I really need to keep my windows and programs w/in intact until I see if i like linux. Please help...desperation has set in!! Thanks in advance!

D

MrSmee · 09-18-2003, 09:51 AM

Whoa!!!!
Sounds like one of the "programs" you uninstalled may have been some pretty important drivers (like your video driver) Can you boot into safe mode and still connect to the network??

If so, I'd connect to windows update (ewwwww) and start correcting the problem from there.... then look around the net for the windows drivers for your particular hardware (check out the manufacturer's website)
As far as the defrag problem..... I've run into that before with Mandy, and I as of yet have not found a good fix, but it mostly occurs when your windows partition is NTFS.......... There is a Linux Crash Recovery CD out there that includes a program called ntfsresize.... be very careful when using it though, I crashed my comp a few times before figuring it out..... best of luck
Smee

robertjay · 09-18-2003, 11:51 AM

If you do get your windows install fixed, what really helped me was to first do a defrag, then turn off file your page file, and hibernate function if it's activated. Both of those files on my computer were taking up 1.2 gigs. The reason for turning off the swap file, is it most of the time gets stuck to the end of the drive by Windblows.

After another reboot, I defragged again.

Good Luck!

Robert