NationStates Jolt Archive

This just happened. Goes to show how evil company like Micro$oft can be, even I have no proof.

I built a new comp last month, and decided to install a genuine copy of Windows XP on it. Because the computer is located conveniently out of reach of all my LAN cables, I didn't bother activating it until the 30 days limit ran out and I absolutely had to today.

Well, in a nutshell, tragedy struck.

Microsoft told me that I've already activated with this key too many times, and tries to talk me into buying another one with some $280. I said no, and restarted the computer while wondering whether its time to get Windows Vista.

Then, Windows won't start up. After a few more tries, it tells me that the NTDRL (?) folder doesn't exist. :eek: Still more tries later, including a reinstall, reveals that my hardrive have been wiped. I reinstalled XP on another drive, and found what used to be 3 partitions totalling 300gb lumped together as a 120gb drive, with nothing inside. :headbang:

My gut instinct tell me that Micro$oft hacked my computer and planted a trojan or something. Well, moral of the story? I should have used a pirated version of XP.......

This happened to anyone else? Anyway I could recover my lost data? Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

This just happened. Goes to show how evil company like Micro$oft can be, even I have no proof.

I built a new comp last month, and decided to install a genuine copy of Windows XP on it. Because the computer is located conveniently out of reach of all my LAN cables, I didn't bother activating it until the 30 days limit ran out and I absolutely had to today.

Well, in a nutshell, tragedy struck.

Microsoft told me that I've already activated with this key too many times, and tries to talk me into buying another one with some $280. I said no, and restarted the computer while wondering whether its time to get Windows Vista.

Then, Windows won't start up. After a few more tries, it tells me that the NTDRL (?) folder doesn't exist. :eek: Still more tries later, including a reinstall, reveals that my hardrive have been wiped. I reinstalled XP on another drive, and found what used to be 3 partitions totalling 300gb lumped together as a 120gb drive, with nothing inside. :headbang:

My gut instinct tell me that Micro$oft hacked my computer and planted a trojan or something. Well, moral of the story? I should have used a pirated version of XP.......

This happened to anyone else? Anyway I could recover my lost data? Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.


Heheh paranoid man, why would windows want to hack your PC?

I think your HDD is duff, go buy a new one.

:eek: This just in.... Digital Rights Management only hinders the people who got it legally

Microsoft suck, they recently didn't deem me eligible for unpaid tech support... even though we have a legal copy of XP. On another note.... Mr Gates.... I saw Vista the other day.... and I didn't say wow.

Heheh paranoid man, why would windows want to hack your PC?

I think your HDD is duff, go buy a new one.

Its brand new. I haven't even managed to use 15gb yet.

Windows suks IMHO.

The missing folder you describe contains the Windows NT boot executable that loads the OS. I'm guessing (based onmy hatred of m$) that the HDD wipe was some sort of logic bomb with the puropuse of preventing the use of the OS without activation/licence.

Just get a good GNU/Linux system. seeing as your hard disk got wiped you don't have to worry about migrating data.

Windows suks IMHO.

The missing folder you describe contains the Windows NT boot executable that loads the OS. I'm guessing (based onmy hatred of m$) that the HDD wipe was some sort of logic bomb with the puropuse of preventing the use of the OS without activation/licence.

Just get a good GNU/Linux system. seeing as your hard disk got wiped you don't have to worry about migrating data.

Is there no way to recover something? I wrote a few stories on that system, and I doubt I could recreate them.

Heheh paranoid man, why would windows want to hack your PC?

I think your HDD is duff, go buy a new one.

I think you just answered your own question

Its brand new. I haven't even managed to use 15gb yet.

That's no indication of it's working order, could have been damaged in transport etc.

You say that you made several tries, including re-instaling, did you format as part of any re-install? Why bother activating it anyway, I never do. What version of windows have you got?

Ntldr is just one file, have you tried replacing it? Or perhaps it is the MBR that is corrupt, have you tried an fdisk /mbr?

Is there no way to recover something? I wrote a few stories on that system, and I doubt I could recreate them.

I maybe you could use a recovery CD. There are plenty about. I doubt that if it was windows they would be vindictive enough to perform a low level format(?).

If your HDD has a fualt then the data is proberbly still there and the reason the PC won't boot is becuase part of the file system is damaged. So i'd try a live CD.

I think you just answered your own question

Heh what so windows can force you to go buy a bit of Hardware, for which they get no cash?

I maybe you could use a recovery CD. There are plenty about. I doubt that if it was windows they would be vindictive enough to perform a low level format(?).

If your HDD has a fualt then the data is proberbly still there and the reason the PC won't boot is becuase part of the file system is damaged. So i'd try a live CD.

Or slip in an extra HDD, install the OS onto it, and slave the orginal one so at least you'll have access to the data.

Its brand new. I haven't even managed to use 15gb yet.HDD's dying, case is overheating, cables aren't stuck in properlyor are fucked, RAM's dead or not fitted properly in the slots, the MB's dying or your bios somehow got fucked & needs to be overwritten. It's probably not very easy to pinpoint unless you've got spare parts.

Windows XP can't do what happened to you. But all of the above can, though it's unlikely to be overheating unless your PCs hot enough to fry chips on.

I suppose it could be some new & improved ultra-evil spacefiller virus no one's ever heard of, but that's not very likely.

That's no indication of it's working order, could have been damaged in transport etc.

You say that you made several tries, including re-instaling, did you format as part of any re-install? Why bother activating it anyway, I never do. What version of windows have you got?

Well, it was perfectly healthy for 30 days, and the chances are fairly stacked against it failing right when I rebooted (as opposed to, say, during my 10 hour sessions on Galactic Civilisation 2).

Its an OEM version from Synnex. It won't let me keep on using it unless I activated.

I reinstalled XP on another drive (which is actually identical....). No formating, nothing in that drive yet.



Ntldr is just one file, have you tried replacing it? Or perhaps it is the MBR that is corrupt, have you tried an fdisk /mbr?

How can I do this? Thanks.

*hands Newer Kiwiland a Kubuntu-CD*

use it wisely!

I maybe you could use a recovery CD. There are plenty about. I doubt that if it was windows they would be vindictive enough to perform a low level format(?).

If your HDD has a fualt then the data is proberbly still there and the reason the PC won't boot is becuase part of the file system is damaged. So i'd try a live CD.

I can't actually see any files once I booted up another Windows though.

Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention. I swapped in an old hardrive from another computer, containing the same operating system. I got the exact same error message.

How can I do this? Thanks.
From windows start->run type 'fdisk /mbr' and hit enter.
From Linux something like " /sbin/fdisk -l /dev/hda" as root.

Well, it was perfectly healthy for 30 days, and the chances are fairly stacked against it failing right when I rebooted (as opposed to, say, during my 10 hour sessions on Galactic Civilisation 2).

Its an OEM version from Synnex. It won't let me keep on using it unless I activated.

I reinstalled XP on another drive (which is actually identical....). No formating, nothing in that drive yet.




How can I do this? Thanks.Stick in your install CD & do a sysfile integrity check. You'll be prompted to overwrite damaged/replace missing shit. Hit F1 & search the index for the exact command, 'cos I have to admit I can't remember it right now. Guess I needs some more crack for my brains to work.

HDD's dying, case is overheating, cables aren't stuck in properlyor are fucked, RAM's dead or not fitted properly in the slots, the MB's dying or your bios somehow got fucked & needs to be overwritten. It's probably not very easy to pinpoint unless you've got spare parts.

Windows XP can't do what happened to you. But all of the above can, though it's unlikely to be overheating unless your PCs hot enough to fry chips on.

I suppose it could be some new & improved ultra-evil spacefiller virus no one's ever heard of, but that's not very likely.

But all of those components were brand new, the BIOS has default settings except for boot order, and the newly-installed OS on my other drive works just fine.

From Linux something like " /sbin/fdisk -l /dev/hda" as root.

that lists the partitions of the first harddisk.

Set your computer on fire and try again.

From windows start->run type 'fdisk /mbr' and hit enter.
From Linux something like " /sbin/fdisk -l /dev/hda" as root.

So I would be doing this in another operating system, from another HDD?



Stick in your install CD & do a sysfile integrity check. You'll be prompted to overwrite damaged/replace missing shit. Hit F1 & search the index for the exact command, 'cos I have to admit I can't remember it right now. Guess I needs some more crack for my brains to work.

Is this during all the loading files for setup thing is happening?

I can't actually see any files once I booted up another Windows though.

Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention. I swapped in an old hardrive from another computer, containing the same operating system. I got the exact same error message.

Hehe yeah but unless the other PC was exactly the same make and model and has exactly the same kit 'under tha hood' then thats' pretty pointless and yu would expect to get errors.

Get it up and running on a new disk, go and grab some disk recover software, make sure you have slaved your original disk and runn the sotware on it.

I had a very similar problem last week, when I slaved the disk it was showing as unformated, I run the HDD recovery software and lo, all of the data was there, it was just a case of fucked up OS system files, due to phyiscal damage on the HDD.

Set your computer on fire and try again.

I value my money.....

Heh what so windows can force you to go buy a bit of Hardware, for which they get no cash?

While I'm completely sure that isn't the case. I'd like to point out that if he has to buy a new drive, he'll have to install Windows again... if he's used his copy up... he has to buy a new one

Hehe yeah but unless the other PC was exactly the same make and model and has exactly the same kit 'under tha hood' then thats' pretty pointless and yu would expect to get errors.

Get it up and running on a new disk, go and grab some disk recover software, make sure you have slaved your original disk and runn the sotware on it.

I had a very similar problem last week, when I slaved the disk it was showing as unformated, I run the HDD recovery software and lo, all of the data was there, it was just a case of fucked up OS system files, due to phyiscal damage on the HDD.


(but I thought the NTRDL error means the operating system's gone?)

Ah thanks! Were you able to boot again? I was just wondering if I'd be able to get my files out of My Documents if I couldn't boot from that OS again.

I value my money.....

Set your money on fire, then nobody will ever try to steal it.

Set your money on fire, then nobody will ever try to steal it.

I'm pretty sure it defeats the whole purpose.

So I would be doing this in another operating system, from another HDD?


Get a Kubuntu.CD for the hard disk access. despite all rumours, Linux can cope better with damaged NTFS partitions.

I'm pretty sure it defeats the whole purpose.

Not if you exclusively use coins.

(but I thought the NTRDL error means the operating system's gone?)

Ah thanks! Were you able to boot again? I was just wondering if I'd be able to get my files out of My Documents if I couldn't boot from that OS again.

Naa Ntldr, is just one of the 6 hidden system files. If it is screwed as the name of the file suggest your OS don't load properly. Quite often you will get the Ntld can be found error when the file is there, just fucked. In theory you should be able to just replace this file, heh in practice though, honestly I have neve seen it work this way and have always had to do a fresh install onto another HDD.

If you can do this, then you know that it is a disk fault and not a problem with your mother board or any of it's components.

Yeah I was, I actualy grabbed the data and copied it to my new master disk, done a full format on the original, and re-installed, every thing is now fine, plus I now have extra HDD space, unless I take that out and save the other one for similar emergancies.

Awesome, thanks! I'll give it a try after my exams tomorrow, damn MS (my notes were on that thing... :mad: ). I swear I'll never let them have cent of my money again. :mp5:

Macs are teh win!

Macs are teh win!

No, they aren't.

Heheh paranoid man, why would windows want to hack your PC?

I think your HDD is duff, go buy a new one.
QFT

This just happened. Goes to show how evil company like Micro$oft can be, even I have no proof.

I built a new comp last month, and decided to install a genuine copy of Windows XP on it. Because the computer is located conveniently out of reach of all my LAN cables, I didn't bother activating it until the 30 days limit ran out and I absolutely had to today.

Well, in a nutshell, tragedy struck.

Microsoft told me that I've already activated with this key too many times, and tries to talk me into buying another one with some $280. I said no, and restarted the computer while wondering whether its time to get Windows Vista.

Then, Windows won't start up. After a few more tries, it tells me that the NTDRL (?) folder doesn't exist. :eek: Still more tries later, including a reinstall, reveals that my hardrive have been wiped. I reinstalled XP on another drive, and found what used to be 3 partitions totalling 300gb lumped together as a 120gb drive, with nothing inside. :headbang:

My gut instinct tell me that Micro$oft hacked my computer and planted a trojan or something. Well, moral of the story? I should have used a pirated version of XP.......

This happened to anyone else? Anyway I could recover my lost data? Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

nope, never happened to me. i've had a couple of troubles activating my copies of XP in the last few years, and each time a quick call to their customer services solved the problem instantly, giving me a new activation key. not a problem

Awesome, thanks! I'll give it a try after my exams tomorrow, damn MS (my notes were on that thing... :mad: ). I swear I'll never let them have cent of my money again. :mp5:
Good plan!

Feel free to ask here about Linux!

This just happened. Goes to show how evil company like Micro$oft can be, even I have no proof.

I built a new comp last month, and decided to install a genuine copy of Windows XP on it. Because the computer is located conveniently out of reach of all my LAN cables, I didn't bother activating it until the 30 days limit ran out and I absolutely had to today.

Well, in a nutshell, tragedy struck.

Microsoft told me that I've already activated with this key too many times, and tries to talk me into buying another one with some $280. I said no, and restarted the computer while wondering whether its time to get Windows Vista.

Then, Windows won't start up. After a few more tries, it tells me that the NTDRL (?) folder doesn't exist. :eek: Still more tries later, including a reinstall, reveals that my hardrive have been wiped. I reinstalled XP on another drive, and found what used to be 3 partitions totalling 300gb lumped together as a 120gb drive, with nothing inside. :headbang:

My gut instinct tell me that Micro$oft hacked my computer and planted a trojan or something. Well, moral of the story? I should have used a pirated version of XP.......

This happened to anyone else? Anyway I could recover my lost data? Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Let's stop being paranoid. Microcrap didn't upload a trojan to your computer, as evil as they may seem at times.

Now, if it's detecting the amount of space that's available, you shouldn't just try a reinstall, you should reformat the whole drive; wipe it totally clean. There might be residual crap on it from the previous installations.

Now, if you want to activate your legal copy (or illegal copy) of XP, I recommend using a nice little toy called "Tweak UI" or any other program that is similar to it. I don't remember where the activate option is, but, there are programs out there that will let you activate Windows without connectivity.

Its brand new. I haven't even managed to use 15gb yet.

I have had even new hdds die, also have had windows fubar its own fat

I have had even new hdds die, also have had windows fubar its own fat

Heheh I love the way that is worded, pure poetry my friend.

Well, it was perfectly healthy for 30 days, and the chances are fairly stacked against it failing right when I rebooted (as opposed to, say, during my 10 hour sessions on Galactic Civilisation 2).

Its an OEM version from Synnex. It won't let me keep on using it unless I activated.

I reinstalled XP on another drive (which is actually identical....). No formating, nothing in that drive yet.




How can I do this? Thanks.


Actually it's entirely possible, I had something similar happen. Hard drive that came with my home computer failed mostly while trying to activate windows. Ended up having to get a new one and call MS to activate. Also MS tech support blows.

I love how people automatically blame Microsoft when they have a problem.

All that happens when you're told that you've activated too many times with your key is that you have to phone them up and tell them you've just done a reinstall, they give you an activation code, and voila. It's to stop keys being spread around the internet and used on pirated copies.

What doesn't happen when you're told that you've activated too many times is what you've described.

Good plan!

Feel free to ask here about Linux!

But remember; you'll never get any of your programmes or drivers to run on it!

How fun!

I tried Ubuntu once. After, oh, about 2 minutes I was back on XP. Drivers not working, CPU running at about 90% constantly, and the apparent inability to access my files were all good reasons to drop Ubuntu and go back to XP.

Incidentally, I've already ditched Vista and gone back to XP, so it's not a Microsoft thing. I just like XP.

I believe they are.

Screw... You... Microsoft!

Ok, I love microsoft's products, they are great! Microsoft's service on the other hand...

I got a computer a few years back, a nice, new, fresh-smelling computer, from the local circiut city. I was setting it up, and when I turned it on it asked me for the "windows 2000 software installation disk", or something like that. I looked for it, and there was no flipping disk. This posed a potential problem.

So, I call microsoft and tell them about the issue. Their response in a nutshell was: "Sorry sir, it's not our problem and we aren't going to help you with it".

I was pretty pissed around now, so I took the computer back to circuit city. They wouldn't take it, due to the fact that I had opened the box. So I was about $500 down the drain, and I had to buy another one.

Microsoft and circuit city needs to die.:upyours:
:gundge:
:sniper:
:mp5:

that would be the retailer not giving you the disk, which they should have done. at least an OEM. not MS's problem.

Screw... You... Microsoft!

Ok, I love microsoft's products, they are great! Microsoft's service on the other hand...

I got a computer a few years back, a nice, new, fresh-smelling computer, from the local circiut city. I was setting it up, and when I turned it on it asked me for the "windows 2000 software installation disk", or something like that. I looked for it, and there was no flipping disk. This posed a potential problem.

So, I call microsoft and tell them about the issue. Their response in a nutshell was: "Sorry sir, it's not our problem and we aren't going to help you with it".

I was pretty pissed around now, so I took the computer back to circuit city. They wouldn't take it, due to the fact that I had opened the box. So I was about $500 down the drain, and I had to buy another one.

Microsoft and circuit city needs to die.:upyours:
:gundge:
:sniper:
:mp5:


Heheh or you need to bone up on your statutory rights, and don't let people fob you off with that sort of bull shit.

Screw... You... Microsoft!

Ok, I love microsoft's products, they are great! Microsoft's service on the other hand...

I got a computer a few years back, a nice, new, fresh-smelling computer, from the local circiut city. I was setting it up, and when I turned it on it asked me for the "windows 2000 software installation disk", or something like that. I looked for it, and there was no flipping disk. This posed a potential problem.

So, I call microsoft and tell them about the issue. Their response in a nutshell was: "Sorry sir, it's not our problem and we aren't going to help you with it".

I was pretty pissed around now, so I took the computer back to circuit city. They wouldn't take it, due to the fact that I had opened the box. So I was about $500 down the drain, and I had to buy another one.

Microsoft and circuit city needs to die.:upyours:
:gundge:
:sniper:
:mp5:

Nothing to do with Microsoft, they are perfectly correct when they say it's not their problem.

And...wait...did you say you bought another computer because the retailer didn't give you a disk the first time?

This happened to anyone else? Anyway I could recover my lost data? Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
yes, call microsoft tech support and tell them that you did purchase this and did not activate it. they will give you another key to use. do NOT use the internet support since that will "encourage" you to make a purchase. If they ask, just say you had to reinstall after a HDD crash.

Nothing to do with Microsoft, they are perfectly correct when they say it's not their problem.

And...wait...did you say you bought another computer because the retailer didn't give you a disk the first time?
People like that are why Windows is the number on operating system in the first place. Stupid people do poorly with Mac and Linux.

People like that are why Windows is the number on operating system in the first place. Stupid people do poorly with Mac and Linux.

Because they run stuf like:
sudo dd if=/dev/urandom of=/dev/(you actualy thouht i'd put *** here) count=1000000 bs=512

No. It's because they fall victime to M$'s flashy adds and gimiks.

I was setting it up, and when I turned it on it asked me for the "windows 2000 software installation disk", or something like that. ....

.... So I was about $500 down the drain, and I had to buy another one.You probably could have just found a Windows 2000 installation disk. Most likely your product key was posted on the back of the computer somewhere, so you could have used any disc--borrowed from a friend, perhaps.

The only good thing I can say about Microsoft right now is that they've finally done something right with Office 2007. Most of the things I've always hated about Office have been fixed (like the fact that Word used really stupid default margins and it was relatively difficult to change the defaults), and I'm thrilled about the virtual elimination of drop-down menus.

Screw... You... Microsoft!

Ok, I love microsoft's products, they are great! Microsoft's service on the other hand...

I got a computer a few years back, a nice, new, fresh-smelling computer, from the local circiut city. I was setting it up, and when I turned it on it asked me for the "windows 2000 software installation disk", or something like that. I looked for it, and there was no flipping disk. This posed a potential problem.

So, I call microsoft and tell them about the issue. Their response in a nutshell was: "Sorry sir, it's not our problem and we aren't going to help you with it".

I was pretty pissed around now, so I took the computer back to circuit city. They wouldn't take it, due to the fact that I had opened the box. So I was about $500 down the drain, and I had to buy another one.

Microsoft and circuit city needs to die.:upyours:
:gundge:
:sniper:
:mp5:



Are you someone's puppet? Because you're like a caricature of every n00b stereotype in the world and I find it somewhat difficult to believe that's a coincidence.

People like that are why Windows is the number on operating system in the first place. Stupid people do poorly with Mac and Linux.

Agreed though the hardware problems with my new HP7700 and *nix is considerable

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1081719&admit=-682735245+1171379314524+28353475

Making me want to just got by server03 right about now

People like that are why Windows is the number on operating system in the first place. Stupid people do poorly with Mac and Linux.

be thankful for those "stupid people" TPH, if Linux and Macs become more popular, you know those retards will start creating viruses for those systems, forcing them to become more like windows. ;)

Agreed though the hardware problems with my new HP7700 and *nix is considerable

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1081719&admit=-682735245+1171379314524+28353475

Making me want to just got by server03 right about now

And also people like that is why Vista is obviously made for idiots. I'm waiting for my free disc to come then I'm going to wait for the service pack that makes Vista work for non-idiots to install it.

be thankful for those "stupid people" TPH, if Linux and Macs become more popular, you know those retards will start creating viruses for those systems, forcing them to become more like windows. ;)

you are right. Thoug Linux is still (a bit) more intrinsicly secure than Window$.

And also people like that is why Vista is obviously made for idiots. I'm waiting for my free disc to come then I'm going to wait for the service pack that makes Vista work for non-idiots to install it.

May as well just wait for Vienna....

*ugh* had it to the eye teeth with M$

And also people like that is why Vista is obviously made for idiots. I'm waiting for my free disc to come then I'm going to wait for the service pack that makes Vista work for non-idiots to install it.

I upgraded my normal work desktop at work here (on it right now) had been using RC2 for a few months

We are a windows univ, thats not going to change and I need to know how it works inside and out

We have done over 50 wireless setups on vista boxes in the last week alone, for how recently it came out it is impressive

you are right. Thoug Linux is still (a bit) more intrinsicly secure than Window$.

Not by much to be honest ... but it gives me the tools to make myself secure ... and its a smaller target.

I love how people automatically blame Microsoft when they have a problem.

All that happens when you're told that you've activated too many times with your key is that you have to phone them up and tell them you've just done a reinstall, they give you an activation code, and voila. It's to stop keys being spread around the internet and used on pirated copies.

What doesn't happen when you're told that you've activated too many times is what you've described.

Calling them won't help now that I can't even get into Windows.....