How do I recover my files if Windows won't start?
My computer won't boot into Windows anymore — it gives an error and restarts. But I have important files on the hard drive I never backed up. Is there any way to get my files off a computer that won't start? Can I remove the hard drive and put it in another computer? I'm panicking about losing everything.
Sign in to message the asker.
Make sure you have the latest drivers from the actual manufacturer's website, not whatever Windows Update gives you. Video card drivers especially — nVidia and ATI release new ones every month and they make a real difference.
5 Answers
Make sure you have the latest drivers from the actual manufacturer's website, not whatever Windows Update gives you. Video card drivers especially — nVidia and ATI release new ones every month and they make a real difference.
Honestly at some point a clean reinstall of Windows fixes more than any amount of tinkering. XP gets crufty after a couple years. Back up your files, find your product key, and do a fresh install. It'll feel like a brand new machine.
Before you do anything drastic, try booting into Safe Mode (tap F8 when the computer starts up). If the problem goes away in Safe Mode it's a software or driver issue, not hardware. That one trick narrows down half of all PC problems.
I'd check Device Manager for any yellow exclamation marks. That's Windows telling you a driver is missing or broken. Right-click My Computer, Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager. Fix anything with a yellow mark and a lot of weird problems clear up.
This is a case where spending a little more upfront saves you money in the long run. Cheap hardware fails faster and costs more to replace. Buy quality components from reputable brands and they'll last years longer.
This question is resolved and no longer accepting answers.