Hello there,
well, let me start from the beginning.
i recently downloaded Linux openSUSE 11.4 and was planning to install it today, because i’ve just had enough of windows, no need to tell you why.
I was planning to install it from a USB stick because I had problems with my dvd player and i just dont trust it. Everything went fine, I made my stick bootable, changed boot priority in BIOS. The install starts, language, keyboard, start install, and then when it asks me to select where the bootable file is and I select the pendrive, it asks me to give some kind of directory, which I dont know how to put in (This is not the problem but if somebody can help me with this I would be greatful) So at this pont my linux installation stopped, I couldnt type that directory in, dont know what it is and where it is. I was fine with this, I booted windows back on to look for a solution online. Now this is where it gets interesting: for some reason I opened daemon tools and mounted my openSUSE iso, and then i clicked on autorun. I didnt know what I was expecting to happen, but the next thing I knew was that the laptop shuts down, and when it boots back again, it starts the linux install immediately (probably the one mounted in daemon tools). The problem with this is that not only can I not install linux (because of that directory problem I mentioned above) but i cant even boot windows back on, so my laptop is dead. I am getting desperate, I have essays to submit, I need my laptop 
Story of my life, please help.
Thanks,
Matt
ouch in essence you tried to install OpenSuse from a running Windows. This is almost certain to destroy Windows. It may be possible to recover important data from the Windows partition(s) by running a CD bootable version. But since your CD/DVD is not working…
- get dvd fixed
- with help from friend download a CD bootable Linux use this to recover data to an external drive
- get a Windows disk and reinstall
- install OpenSuse
Sorry the best I can do 
You never specify if you have a LiveCD on the USB or a pure openSuse install.
If you have a LiveCD, choose “Live” instead of “Install” if you can get the pendrive to boot.
If you don’t have a LiveCD, cannot download a LiveCD, and cannot boot into anything, run to RadioShack/BestBuy/local electronics store/ and pick up a sata->usb adapter and use another computer to pull your data.
Well, if you never completed the openSUSE install I don’t think you have done any lasting damage. However, it is a bit difficult to see what you are booting with at the moment. Have you still got the USB drive in the slot? If so remove it.
When you boot, without the USB drive, is there any sign at all that Windows is starting up? In XP you get the sliding blue bar etc. If so good.
Do you normally log straight into Windows without entering a password as an administrator? Does ‘Daemon Tools’ normally run automatically once you log in? Is that capable of running a predefined job automatically, when it starts? If all these are true that might explain why it keeps trying to do the Suse install from inside Windows - which it can’t.
If Windows is attempting to start, try forcing it into Safe Mode, which hopefully bypasses the automatic running of programs, such as ‘Daemon Tools’, at startup. Directly after the power on diagnostics, start pressing the F8 key repeatedly (twice a second) as Windows boots. You will then get a menu of startup options. Select Safe Mode. When in Safe Mode run Explorer and find the openSUSE iso and rename it. Then restart Windows normally. If ‘Daemon Tools’ is trying to run the iso, it will presumably come up with a ‘duh’ screen from which you can tell it to stop what it is trying to do.
All this is based on a lot of assumptions. Good luck.
On 2011-03-30 23:06, mattbrockley wrote:
> Now this
> is where it gets interesting: for some reason I opened daemon tools and
> mounted my openSUSE iso, and then i clicked on autorun. I didnt know
> what I was expecting to happen, but the next thing I knew was that the
> laptop shuts down, and when it boots back again, it starts the linux
> install immediately (probably the one mounted in daemon tools). The
> problem with this is that not only can I not install linux (because of
> that directory problem I mentioned above) but i cant even boot windows
> back on, so my laptop is dead. I am getting desperate,
This sounds like when you are installing something and windows does a
restart; during the restart the second part of the installation continues.
Your windows may be stuck there. I think forcing failsafe should bybass
that stage.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 11.2 x86_64 “Emerald” at Telcontar)
Thanks all. I think I just install a new windows and then carry on with linux, even windows is better than a not working laptop:)
On 03/31/2011 03:06 PM, mattbrockley wrote:
>
> even windows is better than a not working laptop
not if a key logger sends your bank account number and password to
malware bot directing cyber thieves…
–
CAVEAT: http://is.gd/bpoMD
Tried LibreOffice? Do that and help at http://is.gd/dZ9j2W
[NNTP via openSUSE 11.3 + KDE4.5.5 + Thunderbird3.1.8]