Re: CAN'T BOOT AFTER TRYING TO INSTALL ACRONIS

From: Bob Harris (rharris270[SPAM)
Date: 12/25/04 

Date: Sat, 25 Dec 2004 10:21:25 -0500

I suggest that you contact user support at Acronis. They have responded
promptly to my requests for assistance with their True Image backup
software.

As for the PC not booting, do you mean that without either a floppy or a CD
inserted, it will not boot into windows XP? Generally, just installing
software will not cause a PC to fail to boot. BUT, using software that can
change partitions or boot records such as to add a second operating system
can cause the PC to fail to boot. When you contact Acronis, be very
specific about exactly what you did from the install to the point where the
PC would not boot.

As for booting from a floppy and/or a CD, all modern PCs can do that, but
some are set at the factory not to do that. The only way to know for sure
is to enter the BIOS setup and check the boot tab. My preferred order for
booting is (1) floppy, (2) CD, (3) hard drive. The way to enter the BIOS
setup varies from PC to PC, but is often something like hitting the DEL key
very early in the startup, long before you get XP. Most PCs flash a message
near the bottom of the early black screen with white letter that tell you
wat key to press. However, you only have a few seconds to do it.

If you do make changes to the BIOS setup, be careful to record the old
settings, in case you have to go back. Most BIOS programs do NOT have a
convenient UNDO key. And, to make the changes stick, you will need to
choose an exit option like exit and save changes. If you only want to view
the BIOS setup, then be sure to select exit and discard changes.

"HAGEMIKE" <HAGEMIKE@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:01C9094D-6053-4E0D-8DAF-EF8751E2F859@microsoft.com...
>I just downloaded the free demo version of Acronis
> Disk Director, followed the instructions, made a
> bootable disk, clicked on "reboot now" and the
> screen went blank. Tried to boot from the Acronis
> bootable disk and a separate MS DOS start-up disk
> and got nothing.
> I have a Pentium 4 with XP Home SP1.
> Perhaps the BIOS isn't set up to boot from the floppy
> or CD *** drives.
> How do I get back in to my computer without
> losing everything?
>
> Cheers for any advice you can give.
> Enjoy your holidays.
> mike
>
> --
> HAGEMIKE