help: windows xp won't boot.

BogEyes · 16 Dec 2009 at 22:52

Hey. Hope this isn't the wrong place. I'm positive there used to be a technical issues board on the forum? Anyway I've done a couple of searches and read a load of threads on here aswell as google before resorting to posting this.

Heres my problem. The other day I was just browsing the net when my computer became really slow. I decided to restart the computer, from the start menu. Now, when it restarted it gave this message;

We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows
Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked) Start Windows Normally

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

Seconds until Windows starts: 30

I chose Last Known Good Configuration and it started to load windows xp, and when it usually finishes and goes to the log on screen it just restarted and went back to that same message. I've tried each option numerous times but everytime it just goes back to that message.

I don't have a clue what caused this because I haven't installed or removed anything lately.

The only thing I can think of doing, is reinstalling windows. But now I have another problem. I don't have a copy of windows xp, or a boot disc, whatever its called. As far as I'm aware if I had one of these I could chuck it in and just reinstall windows that way? But I don't have one so thats not an option.

I've read that if you dont have a disc and xp was installed when you bought your pc it should have this data saved to your harddrive and you can access it in windows. Which means that if I could get onto windows I could reinstall windows that way, right? But i can't do that either.

So yeah, basically I'm pretty stuck as to how I can go about reinstalling windows, and also whats wrong with my pc in the first place!?

Cheers for any help, borgia.

wozencl · 17 Dec 2009 at 01:32

Is it a latptop? You might have a recovery partition on the drive. Search Google for the make and the recoverry options.

OEM? Contact the company you bought the comp off.

If none of the above, try recovery console.

wozencl · 17 Dec 2009 at 01:33

EDIT SAFE MODE -> SPYBOT OR SIMILAR

BogEyes · 17 Dec 2009 at 03:22

Its not a laptop no. The only thing left from the original computer is the hard drive, with windows xp installed.

I just googled recovery console. I don't understand, it seems like this is somthing you use in windows. Which I can't access? Or you can use it with a windows xp disc. Which I dont have.

I don't know what your second post means. Safe mode doesn't work either?

BogEyes · 17 Dec 2009 at 14:25

Anyone got any ideas?

cheers.

wozencl · 18 Dec 2009 at 17:09

Its not a laptop no. The only thing left from the original computer is the hard drive, with windows xp installed.

Some laptops have a recovery partition on the HDD which can be used to restore the computer to factory settings. i.e. Formats the partition, re-installs the OS with the default drivers.

I haven't bought an OEM desktop PC in years so I am not sure if they come with one. Like I said you'll need to check the manufacturers site or contact the reseller from whom you bought it to obtain either a recovery disk or an XP disk.

I just googled recovery console. I don't understand, it seems like this is somthing you use in windows. Which I can't access? Or you can use it with a windows xp disc. Which I dont have.

You'd need an XP disk to access the recovery console.

If you can't boot using any of the menu options and don't have an XP disk there's very little you can do.

BogEyes · 18 Dec 2009 at 20:42

Sound, I've got you. I've managed to get a windows xp disc off a mate, only trouble being that its xp pro, and i've got xp home. Will I be able to repair xp home with a xp pro disc?

cheers.

wozencl · 18 Dec 2009 at 22:24

You really should be contacting the company you bought the computer from. You should have received a copy of Windows XP or a Recovery disk. If you didn't receive either you need to contact them - if you received neither then personally I'd definitely avoid buying from them in the future.

If you've lost the disks that came with it then I am sure you could contact somebody to obtain replacements. Failing that they may have a website which you can use to obtain an image. Just use the license key that came with your computer - one would hope that it's genuine.

As for the XP Pro disk, you may be able to use it. It would depend on your current installation being recognized - you'll know when you try...

If you've excluded hardware issues:

Working on the basis that your issues are being caused by a virus/spy ware (sudden slow internet). I'm guessing something has modified the registry and files in system32 such as atapi.sys and that what is preventing you from booting into Safe Mode. If you're desperate you could try expanding the files on the XP Pro disk in i386 and copying them to your system32 folder...

Disclaimer: I am unsure of the licensing implications involved so you will need to check beforehand.