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T61 - Error Loading Operating System
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:55 am
by allenkt
For about the last week every time I power on my T61 (running Vista) I have been getting the message, "Error Loading Operating System". So far all I've had to do is turn it back off and start it up again and it boots up normally. But it still has me a little concerned.
Anyone else experience this? And every time I have shut off the computer by choosing shutdown and not having the battery run down or anything like that. It comes out of standby with no problems, this only happens when I turn it on after completely shutting it down.
Karl
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:36 am
by GomJabbar
You could try running
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test to see if any hard drive problems are reported.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:39 pm
by ryengineer
I have seen this problem on many T61/p machines, the best solution I have come across so far is going back to factory state.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:17 pm
by allenkt
Well that sucks. So I'd lose everything on here and then have to reinstall? I'll run the Hitachi drive test first and see what that turns up.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:19 pm
by rukiri
I had the same issue after doing a clean install of Vista on my machine.
After the clean install (which was great!) I did some updates via windows update and thinkvantage system update, and one of those caused the error. I'm not sure which one.
Using Vista's built-in repair utilities did not work, neither did restoring to an earlier system restore point. I had to do another clean install of vista to clear it up.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:21 pm
by allenkt
Shoot, not looking good for the home team. I also had to do a clean install of Vista after I completely hosed my system trying to partition the hard drive when I first got it.
So if I back it up then do another clean install can I still restore the backup?
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:22 pm
by BradS
ryengineer wrote:I have seen this problem on many T61/p machines, the best solution I have come across so far is going back to factory state.
What exactly do you mean by going back to factory state? And will this problem likely be fixed after a while? I just ordered a T61 with vista, if I decide to, I should be able to format the computer and do a clean install of windows XP pro x64 edition, right? At this point I feel like i just want to call Lenovos and tell them to build my thinkpad with XP
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:11 pm
by ryengineer
BradS wrote:What exactly do you mean by going back to factory state? And will this problem likely be fixed after a while? I just ordered a T61 with vista, if I decide to, I should be able to format the computer and do a clean install of windows XP pro x64 edition, right? At this point I feel like i just want to call Lenovos and tell them to build my thinkpad with XP
Thinkpads come with a hidden Service Partition including Predesktop area that is accessible through the blue Thinkvantage button at the time of boot. One of the key programs it features is Rescue and Recovery that allows you to go back to out of the box original factory configuration.
Restoring to the factory-installed state: This recovery method reformats the primary partition of your hard disk (drive C); then, reinstalls your operating system, device drivers, and factory-installed software. The hard disk is restored to the same state as when the computer was originally manufactured.
You would be able to install any OS of your choice; ofcourse as long as it's compatible.
Users experiencing this problem are likely those who initially received BSOD's on their Windows Vista installed thinkpad machines due to
iastor(v) before.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:13 pm
by BradS
ryengineer wrote:
Users experiencing this problem are likely those who initially received BSOD's on their Windows Vista installed thinkpad machines due to iastor(v) before.
Is that problem considered to be fixed?
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:20 pm
by ryengineer
allenkt wrote:So if I back it up then do another clean install can I still restore the backup?
If you create through Rescue and Recovery then yes. But I am going to suggest you to save the back on an external media (CD/DVD, HDD etc) and then perform a clean factory restore.
Performing a backup operation helps to ensure that you can restore your hard disk drive contents to a previously saved state. The following backup tasks can be accomplished using the Rescue and Recovery program:
Creating a backup: A backup is a snapshot of the entire contents of your hard disk drive, including the Microsoft Windows operating system, software application, registry settings, network settings, fix packs, desktop settings, and unique data files. You can create a backup on your local hard disk drive, a second hard disk drive, a USB hard disk drive, or a network drive.
Restoring your entire hard disk: You can choose to restore your hard disk to any number of backed-up states. Each backup is differentiated by its creation time and date. The Rescue and Recovery program can restore your system from a backup stored on the local drive, a USB hard drive, a network drive, or from CD or DVD. When performing a restore operation, all data created after the selected backup was taken is erased.
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:39 pm
by deeastman
ryengineer wrote:allenkt wrote:So if I back it up then do another clean install can I still restore the backup?
If you create through Rescue and Recovery then yes.
But if you do a clean install and everything works well, then restore the backup aren't you re-introducing the original error and are now back to where you started with the error? Or am I missing something?
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:06 pm
by ryengineer
deeastman wrote:Or am I missing something?
The culprit lies in the hdd failing to see the OS, periodically, so as long as your backup is mere data files and not the whole OS, you should be fine and this is also the reason I advised the other gentleman to do a clean factory restore and store the backup (files) on an external media.
I once already discussed about this topic
before.
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:35 am
by deeastman
ryengineer wrote:deeastman wrote:Or am I missing something?
The culprit lies in the hdd failing to see the OS, periodically, so as long as your backup is mere data files ... snip
Reading the OP's posts I get the feeling when he asked about restoring a "backup" that also included software he installed not just data files. Maybe I just read to much into his post. I understand that if data files only, no problem.