Compaq PCs are widely used by home users, professionals, and small businesses for daily computing. However, when Windows gets stuck in a boot loop, it often indicates corrupt system files, a failing hard drive, or bad sectors, making stored data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered critical files and documents for a client in Guildford from a Toshiba 3.5″ SATA hard drive inside a Compaq PC, after Windows failed to start and continuously restarted in a loop.
As Guildford Data Recovery, Surrey’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using bad sector recovery, file system repair, and deep forensic data extraction techniques to restore lost data securely and efficiently.
Compaq PC Stuck in a Windows Boot Loop & HDD Failure
A Guildford-based client contacted us after their Compaq PC failed to boot, with the following issues:
- Windows was stuck in an infinite boot loop, restarting without loading the desktop.
- The PC displayed error messages related to “corrupt system files” and “disk errors.”
- Attempts to repair Windows using built-in recovery tools failed.
- The client had important documents, work files, and personal data that needed to be recovered.
Since continuing to restart a failing drive can worsen bad sectors and lead to permanent data loss, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Toshiba 3.5″ SATA hard drive from the Compaq PC arrived at our secure cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and software diagnostic. Our findings:
- Bad sectors on the HDD – Causing system crashes and failed Windows boot attempts.
- Corrupt Windows system files – Preventing the operating system from loading.
- No mechanical damage detected, meaning logical recovery was possible through deep sector scanning and file system repair.
Since a failing hard drive can become worse with each reboot attempt, we prioritized non-intrusive data recovery techniques.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the Hard Drive to Prevent Further Data Loss
To preserve all recoverable data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector forensic clone of the Toshiba SATA hard drive.
- Used specialized tools to extract readable data while bypassing bad sectors.
2. Repairing the File System & Extracting Data
Since the NTFS file system was partially corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt the Master File Table (MFT) to restore missing file structures.
- Recovered files from damaged system sectors and relocated them.
3. Extracting & Verifying Important Documents & Files
Once the file system was restored, we:
- Recovered all work documents, spreadsheets, and personal files.
- Restored folder structures exactly as they were before failure.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 99% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our deep sector scanning and file system reconstruction techniques, we successfully recovered 99% of the client’s lost files, including:
✅ Word documents, spreadsheets, and reports
✅ Personal photos, videos, and project files
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The client was able to retrieve all essential files, avoiding personal and professional data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful hard drive recoveries, we are England’s leading Compaq PC data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ Windows boot loop recovery & bad sector repair
✔ File system reconstruction & NTFS partition repair
✔ Documents, personal files, and work data retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery services
If your PC is stuck in a boot loop, showing system file errors, or preventing access to important documents, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.