I need some help/advise. My home computer is messed up keeps saying windows is missing a file. I don't have the disk to repair, so I have to do a reboot which will wipe out over 3000 pictures off my hard drive. Is there anyway to save that or store it some how to retrieve later. I don't know anything about computers, but I don't want to lose all my itunes and all the pictures of me being naughty

The simplest thing is probably to purchase an external USB hard drive. You can back up to that before you reinstall the OS. There are some other things you can do, but they require varying degrees of computer skill. You can back up to DVDs which would give you 5+ gig at a whack, but you'd probably need several and it gets to be a PITA. It is possible to do a non-destructive hard disk repartition, but it does carry some risks. That would allow you to leave the good stuff on the drive. It might not even be an option depending on how much free space you have on your drive. If you do have to re-install the OS, let me recommend that you partition your hard disk before you do it so this isn't a problem again. All partitioning does is split the drive into 2 or more separate spaces each identifiable by a drive letter. You can install your OS and program files on the first part and keep all your stored files on another. It's pretty simple to do when you first install an OS, but after it's on there, it get a bit more complicated.

Ok....this is a rather broad problem description.
What files does it say you are missing? Do you mean reinstall the operating system?
A reboot just reatarts the computer, it doesn't necessarily mean you will lose files/pics/music. You may not be able to boot up the computer but the files are still there. If you have to reinstall the OS (operating system) you could do that without losing your files, you just would have to reinstall any applications you had from before.

Have you installed any hardware or software recently?
What operating system is it? Windows 2000? XP? Vista?
Have you tried booting into Safe Mode/Last Known Good Configuration?

If you turn on the computer/power on, press the "F8" function key several times or so, this will trigger a menu to open advising different startup options. The first try should be "Safe Mode" if it wont boot up fully, then try the option "Last Known Good Configuration"

If you can't get the computer to boot up at all to even try those things, you might still be able to rescue data by connecting the hard drive to another machine.

Anyways, there are a lot of things to try to resolve the problem. It just requires more information about the problem you're having. But, in my opinion, unless your Hard Disk has a physical problem, you CAN get the files you want off. It would just require another computer. But that would be a bit down the road.

Shut down or restart the computer, and try to write down the specific error message you are receiving. This will help to try to figure out the best things for you to try. As it is now, I'm just throwing all kinds of options out there cause I don't know just what problem you're having.

see shows u how little i know about computer. when i turn my computer on it goes right to a blck screen with wht writing it says windows is has a missing or currupded file. theh it says if i installed something new this might have happeded. i didnt install anything, kids might have their not saying. says i need to use my windows vista disk to fix, well i cant find the windows vista disk. called tech support and the said there would be away to get the computer up and running but i would lose all data. i really have like 5000 dollers worth of itunes on there and 2 to 3 thousand pics, most of the kind you guys love. would hate to lose it all

Ok....now we're getting somewhere. "xxxxxxxxx file is either missing or corrupted...."

Get that file name. You may still be able to save your machine. Do you remember if your computer came with a Vista Re-install CD when you got it? Or did it have what they call a "Revcovery Partition"?

If you have the Vista DVD, you can boot the computer from that, then get into what they call "Recovery Console". From there you can access your hard drive and copy the "Missing or corrupted" file from the DVD to your hard drive. It's not always a fix but sometimes it can help. Google "Vista Recovery Console" and you'll get some info on how to get into there.

Still, you should try starting the computer and hitting F8 until you get the screen showing "Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking etc" and try the "Last Known Good Configuration" option.

Tech support?? Lose the data?? You have other options, albeit a bit more technically involved but you have them. Is this a laptop or a regular tower pc? If it's a tower, you can always remove the Hard drive and connect it to another tower pc running at least windows 2000 or XP. That computer would just see your hard drive as another "disk" ie, F: You could then browse your hard drive and copy all the files you need. Might be time consuming but, if you just cant get the machine going, I would look into it. Especially if you want to save the music and pics.

Just make sure YOU'RE the one doing the file copy. Otherwise someone might get to see a bit more of you than you think they should.
If you've got a recovery partition, well then it may be tougher.

Pay is definitely the correct persons to help your.

omg....like...u are really smart and stuff

Can't find the disk, ill try the f8 thing. Its a tower, not a lap top. I have another tower that's older and is more of the family computer, so your saying I can use that to recover my files? I hate computers

Yes you could, with a caveat of course. IF both tower computers use what are called IDE connected hard drives - connected from hard drive to motherboard by a "ribbon" cable - and the "family computer" is running at least 2000Pro or XP, OR if both are using SATA hard drives. If they each have a different type of HDD connection - ie the older is IDE and the newer is SATA, then it gets a bit more difficult.

If the both have the same Operating System - Vista Home Premium - then you could try to copy the missing/corrupted file from the old one to the new one with a USB drive or something.

Where you able to find out the name of the missing/corrupted file?

Ohhhhhhh

I not so think as you bright I am.....

ok message says \windows\systems\winload.exe
status:0xc000000f
sounds like im screwed cause im not going to be able to do all that wasoo stuff u were saying. im going to have to pay some guy, who will then be able to see all my pics, oh boy

What about hubby? Is he even just a little bit "handy"? And I mean with tools and fixin stuff. Im sure he's ALL KINDS of handy with you. Honestly, if you can follow instruction then this isn't too difficult. Im gonna search some databases on the specific memory address/error code and see what I can come up with.
linking
Edit:
From what I've found, booting from a Vista DVD/CD and going into "Recovery Console" to run chkdsk looks to correct the problem. You don't need the Vista disk that you used to install or anything, just a Vista disk to boot up the computer from. Then instead of selecting "Install" you select "Repair an Installation using Recovery Console". From there you'll be able to access the "installation" (your C: drive) via the disk and at a command prompt (black screen with C:\ blinking) you run chkdsk.

sure he is handy with tools, but being able to fix the car or do plumbing dosnt mean he knows computers

pay....you are turning me on with all this knowledge

sorry, jd...i have no help for you, i just find this totally interesting

You need to offer Pay a trip to meet you in Las Vegas so that he can snuggle up to your gorgeous melons... Then he can fix your computer in his spare time...if you let him up for air.

Fair enough. The inside of the pc is nothing really. Nowadays they don't even use screws to hold the HDD. Just, usually, a green "slide lock". Slide it one way it locks the drive in place. Slide it the other way it unlocks the drive and you just slide it out. The space you connect the cables is "keyed". Meaning, the connector will only go on one way. Same for the power connector.

I suggest going the "Recovery Console" route first.

This link is for using the Windows XP version of Recovery Console. You can use an XP disc to boot from to access the recovery console.

XP Recovery Console

You could access the "Recovery Environment" the same way with a Vista disc.

Basically that's how you would work it. If the Recovery Option isn't available, try connecting the hard disk to the other computer (if possible).

Without actually having the system right in front of me this is the best I can do JD. Hope it helps. And tell hubby it's not hard to do. It's just connecting the disk and the power supply. Turn the pc on then the operating system does the rest.

Good luck!!!!

Geez Chickie....had I known all it would take was a little Geek Speak and I'd have been running a Full Diagnostics on your USB slot a LONG time ago!!!!

Were I ever fortunate enough to snuggle up to JD, the LAST thing on my mind would be her computer......

Unless it was connected to a video camera, recording for posterity - and as proof!!!!

Sounds like pay got it covered... lol us geeks are good at somethings.... computer's = Easy..... Cars and other stuff = WTF!!!

Well I was fortunate enough to have a dad who was pretty much a jack of all trades so, cars, general contracting, electric, dry wall, yadda yadda yadda.....

If I can find some basic instructions I'll do it.

At 17 I dropped and swapped the drive shaft on my - then - 76 Ford Mustang II. That was fun.