Re: Restarting Over and Over



Okay, I'm attempting to use the recovery console. It's coming up with two
options:
1: H:\MiniNT
2: H:\I386

I'm not seeing anything about a Windows partition, but it's got to be one of
these two, right?

That being said, when I went to reinstall a clean version, it found a C:
main drive and an H: as a backup recovery partition (lot of good its doing
for me).

Another issue, this is a mini-tower; where your typical parts are more or
less minitures of a regular computer. It's an HP from 2005 that's about a
foot high and long, and a half a foot wide. So I'm not sure how able I'm
going to be able to find a replacement over at Best Buy to slave this one out.

Anyway...

"maxcavsm" wrote:

Well, I'll have to give a few of these suggestions a try when I get home.
Thank you for all of your help!

"Brian A." wrote:

"maxcavsm" <maxcavsm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:E2C249B0-8B3E-4D80-86C0-2D4D77605EB2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well, looks like it's time to reformat one of my computers (if it's even
possible). I turned on one of the computers, only to find that it's now
looping through the startup windows, including the "Would you like to start
the computer in safe mode/last known good config, etc". No matter which
option you pick, the computer, restarts, goes to the HP logo (computer
brand), and goes back to choose which start up mode to use. I've tried all of
them to no avail.

I'm presuming the only answer is to toss an XP DVD in the drive and reformat
the HD, but I was hoping there was a way to avoid that. While the computer
certainly could use a wipe, there are some things I'd like to get backed up
before I do it. Thanks!

Overheating is one of the many possible causes.
Physically unplug the power cord from the PC and wall receptacle.
Open the case to check the heatsink, fans, power supply, drives, etc. for dust
bunnies. The best way is to use a source of compressed air to blow the dust out of
every nook and cranny. Make sure you're grounded by using a grounding wrist strap or
by keeping in contact with the case to prevent any electrostatic discharge which
could potentially damage the components.

Check that all of the cables, power cords, RAM modules, add-on cards/adapters, etc.
are firmly and securely seated and connected.

If that fails to bring joy, test the RAM modules for integrity with either utility
below. Read the instructions on how to use either one and run the test for a few
hours:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp Click the Download Windows Memory Diagnostic
link.
http://www.memtest86.com/ Click the Free Download link on the left side of the page.

If after testing the memory there is still no joy, check if your HP disk(s) has the
option to restore/recover software/hardware as opposed to restore/recover back to the
state as it was shipped from the factory.

you could also try:
How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

If it came down to it, you could remove the drive and connect it in another machine
as a Slave drive to get your data off before reformatting/reinstalling.

--
Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375



.



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