XP wont boot.

[Frankenstein]

I got a computer that boots up to the screen where it says windows did not start up succesfully. It thel lists options to start in safe mode etc.

None of them work, they all go to the XP operating system loading screen, and about half way into loading, it just makes a funny noise and goes back to the screen of options.

I have no XP CD and no idea of how computers work, someone help!

Thanks.

[Outrun]

Go into the BIOS before the computer starts. I think you hit del or mabye F2 or F8. Go to where it says HDD. Your Hard Drive, if it says none, you need a new one.

[Frankenstein]

It says I gots one!

Thats good at least. A thirty gig..

[Outrun]

Go to http://www.sharkyforums.com/ and post it there. These guys always help me out when I have problems. I have yet to stump them.

[Video_Master]

Go buy XP and reload the computer.

[nlm]

I wonder if you have no pagefile and thats why it is doing that.

I seen a similar problem at my work this week so I just re-ghosted it.

[Drunko McMoppo]

Go buy XP and reload the computer.

Buy? Fuck that.

[nlm]

You mean you have to pay for software?

[Outrun]

Do you get a blue screen? Does it look like this?

[slo5ohh]

You mean you have to pay for software?

[DNeinstadt]

Lemme guess, you tried to update Windows XP service pack 2 on your laptop...

[SFC]

the HD is recognized or he wouldn't even get to the Safe Mode boot screen.

Probably sp2 thing.

[DNeinstadt]

YEp. SP2 does NOT like laptops.

[Stormwalker]

Here is what you do to fix that problem. Obtain a Windows XP full version disk. You should be able to borrow one from someone, or find one somewhere. If not, let me know. BTW, borrowing a XP disk and putting it on your machine to fix a problem is not illegal in any way (only if you actually load the operating system and you did not purchase the software). If you have your boot order in the bios set up where it checks the cd rom before the hard drive, it will prompt you to press the ever elusive "any key" to boot from the disk. It will load a few basic drivers, and eventually bring you to a screen that asks you whether you would like to install the os, or repair using recovery console. Press "R" for repair, and it will bring you to a C prompt. There are 2 things you should do in the recovery console. First to a chkdsk /R to fix any errors on the disk. This will take a while (30 min to 2 hours). After this is done, write a new bootsector by typing in "fixboot". Press y to confirm. Then type "exit" and your computer will reboot and you will have desktop in no time. Hope this helps, again let me know if you have any problems.

[npaulseth]

Or you could kill yourself and be done with it.