Hi vandervoor, Thank you so much for your advice - with the benefit of your instructions I was able to find and transfer my documents and pictures. However, I am unable to find my emails. I checked every folder in "users - username". I then went to my current email programme, (windows live mail), on the new pc, (running windows 7) and clicked on "file", selected "import". I then found the relevant folders - inbox, sent items etc on the external H.D. (E:/) on my new pc. I click to import and it shows the different folders being imported but when I go back to Windows live mail there does seem to be some extra folders - (imported folder, AppData, Inbox etc etc but each folder is empty?? I tried importing as Windows live mail and also Windows mail. The other option was Outlook express but I don't think my old notebook with vista had outlook express. I wonder if you could tell me where I have gone wrong? Regards, John. -------------------------------------------------- From: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 3:25 AM To: <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Vista Wont Boot > The USB dock sounds like your best bet. Just connect it to another PC. > Your files should be located in C:\user\username > Typically, you'd want to copy Documents, Pictures and Music > Your email files are elsewhere, depending on what program you use. > For Windows Mail, it's Windows Mail: > C:\Users\[username]/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Mail > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Vista Wont Boot > From: John Clemence <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Sun, December 06, 2009 1:36 am > To: [log in to unmask] > > Hi vandervoor, > Thank you very much for your response to my problem and for the helpful > link. I have had some very useful advice from beeping computer. > Incidentally, I am using Vista Home Premium. > To answer your question regarding if I had explored all repair options > perhaps I could mention what I have tried. > I had tried some of the vista repair options several times, it usually > finished with the screen "could not repair". > After no joy with startup repair I tried System Restore I get the > following > "no system restore points have been created on your system disk. To > create a > system restore point open System Protector. When I click on the > highlighted > words "System Protector" I get the message "your computer is running > limited > diagnostics - you cannot undo restore. I click on the only option "OK" > and > then nothing. Back and Next are grayed out leaving only cancel. I click > on > cancel and am back to "system Recovery Options"! > I was advised to try this...( using the recovery disc again boot to the > recovery console again and select "Command Prompt" from the recovery > choices. > At the command prompt type: C: > Type: cd WindowsWinSxS > Type: del pending.xml > Exit and reboot > look where the gaps are in the commands,,, these must be there,,, ie,,, > between cd & windowsWinSxS > between del & pending.xml). > The results were... (I am assuming I hit "enter" after each line). > After typing "cd WindowsWinSxS" I get the message > The system cannot find the path specified. (I tried omitting the space > between "cd" and "WindowsWinSxS" but that was not recognized as a > command). > I carried on by typing "del pending.xml" then I get > Could not find C:\pending.xml > It was suggested that I took out the cmos battery and left it out > overnight > but in the morning it still just gets to the message "configuring > updates 3 > of 3. 0 %" and then shuts down and restarts!! > I have a H.D. USB dock and removed the H.D. put it in the dock and > scanned > it with Avast on a 2nd pc - everything seemed ok and I was wondering if > there might be someway of harvesting stuff onto another pc? Trouble is, > the > names are not obvious what they are, (programmes or files) and I did not > > want to risk loosing anything through my own ignorance. > It seems like I have a serious problem here - I was just wondering if > anyone > had any other ideas before I say goodbye to all my stuff by having to do > a > clean install. I'm not sure if there may be a way of getting my files > from > the backup external HD? I have seen files on the drive when I took the > HD > out and put it in a usb dock but the names on the list of files meant > nothing to me! > Any thoughts gratefully received. > Regards, > John. > > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 6:30 AM > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Vista Wont Boot > >> Have you explored all the Vista repair options? >> See here for a full list: >> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html >> Typically,recovering your files requires you run the "Restore" option of >> your backup program. Your email folders may or may not be there, >> depending on what backup options you selected and what program you used. >> >> >> >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: [PCBUILD] Vista Wont Boot >> From: John Clemence <[log in to unmask]> >> Date: Thu, December 03, 2009 2:27 am >> To: [log in to unmask] >> >> Hi, I posted this on the software list but was told to post here as it >> relates to getting files from an external H.D. back-up. >> My notebook battery died the other day, I think when windows was being >> updated. Since then It wont start up. I tried the "repair pc" option >> when using the Vista cd but no joy. >> I had previously backed up to an external H.D. and I am wondering if I >> do a complete Vista re-install, loosing all my stuff, can I access the >> missing stuff from the external H.D that I had previously backed up? I >> am particularly keen to get copies of my email folders. >> I had tried plugging the external H.D. into another pc, (running >> windows 7), I also tried taking out the notebook H.D. and putting it in >> a usb dock - I saw lots of entries but did not know which ones to open >> and which to leave well alone! >> Any advise would be really appreciated. >> Regards, >> John. >> >> Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to >> Digest mode - visit our web site: >> http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml >> >> The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering >> our special coffee mugs and mouse pads >> with the PCBUILD logo... at a great price!!! >> http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml > > The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website, > web based bulletinboard for questions and answers: > Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com > > The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website, > web based bulletinboard for questions and answers: > Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com PCBUILD's List Owners: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>