Re: Windows XP. Start up problems.

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

In news:Ethan11.3xubu2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Ethan11 typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:22:58 -0500:
(Didn't know where I should post, so I posted in the "Just fix it"
Area aswell.)

Okay so yesterday I was on my computer. Everything was going fine. No
problems at all. That night I was really tired because I was up very
late and was shutting down my computer. I then, due to being so
tired, ( Like an idiot =/ ) got impatient and unplugged my computer
from the wall as it was shutting down.

Normally, no real harm is done from this. I say normally. As sometimes
it can.

Today, I plug in my computer and turn it on. It begins to start as
normally and then goes to the scary black screen with white writing.
When it does this, I get this message "Windows failed to start, a
recent hardware or software change might be the cause" I am then
offered 5 options:

1. Safe Mode
2. Safe Mode with Networking
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
4. Last Known Good Configuration
5. Start Windows Normally

By default. I am suggested to start windows normally, And a 30 second
countdown begins in which if I let the time run out, The computer
attempts to start windows normally, fails to do so, and repeats the
process.

I tried all 5 options. options 4 and 5 simply attempt to start the
computer and then fail and it restarts.

Options 1 2 and 3 all go to a new black screen with white writing and
a lot of very confusing computer talk referring to drivers I believe.
If this were compete sentences I would include it but it looks more
like links.

A few things to be noted are first, I do not have CD's for this
computer. I bought it from a friend and never recieved the cd's. I
haven't had much real trouble with my computer at all really so I dont
think its any huge issue.

Finally. I am only slightly computer literate. I know some but not
enough to look up things online and know what they are referring to in
regards to similar problems. For example. I have heard the term "BIOS"
before. But I am not too sure as to what exactly that is or how to
access it. However. I do know a little more than the average person.

This being said. It would be very appreciated if you could VERY
specific when trying to help. For example. Do not tell me to go into
"BIOS" or whatever. But rather... Tell me what buttons to press to
access BIOS.

Thank you for your time and help.

Well do you have anything on this computer that you need to save? I
guess this needs to be known first. Like something in My Documents or
something. As if you do, you need to copy to somewhere else using some
sort of boot disk, some can be found for free on the Internet. Although
that is a story in itself.

Kind of sounds like when you pulled the plug, the drive was writing and
wrote over something very important while the heads were automatically
parking. This isn't a good sign and it might be very difficult to get it
working again.

I don't see any easy way around this without a Windows install (or
recovery disc) at least. And that might be the least of your worries and
you might need lots more. Like another hard drive or at least something
to backup the stuff you want to save. <sigh>

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2


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