Windows XP Pro will not boot laptop.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Charlie
  • Start date Start date
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Charlie

I was in the process of backing up files when upon my
return to the pc 10 minutes later, the pc went back to
the initial power up screen and below the message where
it tells you where it is booting from said boot failed.
I shut it down and re-booted and it came up fine. I ran
Norton to see if there were any problems and it found
none so I opened a browser as I always do and left it
running while I took off. Upon my return, the same
problem happened again. This time I could not re-boot the
computer. I tried to boot it with the last known settings
that worked and in safe mode and it would start over and
over again into the bios/boot screen. The last thing I
remembered doing to the pc before it crashed was to hook
up an HP digital camera. Windows did the normal hardware
found step and it all seemed to be ok.

Now everytime it cycles through the boot up process, a
blue screen with text shows up for a split second, then
it goes blank and starts the boot process again always
telling me that windows did not start properly and so on.
I can't read the message that is on the blue screen.

I only thing I can access is the BIOS. Can't boot in safe
mode. I know I need to use the CD to repair it but I am
afraid to delete files I need to recover.

What is my best plan of action to repair this? I only
care about 2 folders that I have that are indispensible
that I must recover. I can re-install everything else.
I just want to do the right thing to restore the pc so I
can recover the files and then I can do a clean install
if needed.

All I ask for is the best way to do this.

Thanks in advanced.
 
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.
 
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