Windows XP won't start!!!

lil_krazie_kidd · #1 02-02-2005, 03:08 PM

Hey guys,

I have a Pentium4, 3.0 Gb, 512 ram, system with windows xp pro installed on it.

It was working fine for a while now, but then...

I was playing a Age of Empires on the computer then I shut it down and then restarted it again later, but this time it didn't start, it gave me the message:

'We apologize for the inconvience, 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 Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked'

Then it gives me 5 options:
-Safe Mode
-Safe Mode with Networking
-Safe Mode with Command Prompt
-Last Known good Configuration
-Start Windows Normally

I tried all of the 5 options listed above, but each of them I try, it restarts the computer, and the same message shows up
I hadn't installed any new software, or hardware, and I had played this game before, and it didn't have problems then

So, im at a bit of a loss actually, not knowing what to do...
-Joe-

Miz · #2 02-02-2005, 03:34 PM

The first thing I'd try (I've used it with success on other computers with the same problem) is to run chkdsk /r from the Recovery Console.

Boot with the XP CD in the CD drive. (If it ignores the CD, see below) Tell it you want to Repair and it will take you into the Recovery Console.

Once in the Recovery Console, type "chkdsk /r" (without the quotes, with the space after "chkdsk"), press the Enter key on the keyboard.

It can take quite a while to run so be patient.

Once the scan is finished, type Exit and press Enter and hopefully it will boot into Windows.

If it ignores the CD when you boot it up, you'll need to get into the BIOS (also called Setup) to move the CD drive up to first in the boot order. If during the bootup process you see a screen with a message about pressing a key to enter setup, press that key. That will get you into the BIOS where you search around for Boot options. That's where you change what disk the computer looks to first when it boots up.

brandondork · #3 02-10-2005, 03:21 PM

I have the same problem too. I honestly don't know what happened! But any advice for me, becuz I'm having the same problem, but I bought my E Machines and Windows XP disk was not included (atleast I don't remember the cd being around). Any help or tips?

freepchelp · #4 02-11-2005, 05:35 AM

Have you guys tried doing a system restore from safe mode?

Ray

brandondork · #5 02-11-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freepchelp

Have you guys tried doing a system restore from safe mode?

Ray

can't get into safe mode... u click on it, and it just restarts again

btrygg · #6 02-13-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandondork

can't get into safe mode... u click on it, and it just restarts again

I talked to HP support and they said I must have deleted some file that is effecting my startup files.

They said I have to do a complete restore.

If that's the fact, does anyone know the best way to get the data off the drive? The drive isn't bad (according to HP), there's just a missing file from the startup routine.

HELP!!!

brandondork · #7 02-13-2005, 09:15 PM

I'm about ready to take th memory out of this computer and put it the new one. Does anyone know if thats a good idea because this computer won't start? I'd rather buy a new computer than loose the information I have.

sp_100 · #8 02-13-2005, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandondork

I'm about ready to take th memory out of this computer and put it the new one. Does anyone know if thats a good idea because this computer won't start? I'd rather buy a new computer than loose the information I have.

I don’t know anything about your problems…

But, replacing memory (RAM) will not affect your Hard Drive.

brandondork · #9 02-13-2005, 11:33 PM

Well I'm meaning the mp3's and stuff I have on my computer

ChromeDome · #10 02-17-2005, 05:05 AM

Hey dude, I'm getting a similar problem... Basically my computer gets to that screen "Sorry for any inconvenience..." or whatever and stops. Right now i'm performing a chkdsk /r and if this doesn't work I'm either gonna format (which i only did the other week so i don't think that should do much) or take my box in for a checkup (I recently upgraded some things mb + processor + ram so i'm v. suspicious that it's something there).

I'll get back to you if i figure out the cause of my problems and i'll keep checking this so if u figure out your problem get back to me

btrygg · #11 02-20-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeDome

Hey dude, I'm getting a similar problem... Basically my computer gets to that screen "Sorry for any inconvenience..." or whatever and stops. Right now i'm performing a chkdsk /r and if this doesn't work I'm either gonna format (which i only did the other week so i don't think that should do much) or take my box in for a checkup (I recently upgraded some things mb + processor + ram so i'm v. suspicious that it's something there).

I'll get back to you if i figure out the cause of my problems and i'll keep checking this so if u figure out your problem get back to me

My problem ended up being a corrupted hard drive (oh, the pain) The tech I talked to said that the Maxtor drives are basically crap, and that 80% of the drive failures he sees are Maxtor's.

I replaced it with a WD, and had to start the drive from scratch.

Another painful lesson...

brandondork · #12 02-20-2005, 01:07 PM

so u lost everything?!?!?

noemar3 · #13 02-20-2005, 02:43 PM

I'm having the same problems with my computer. It shows a black screen and I'd tried all the modes possibles, nothing work. I can't get to the bios mode because it ask for a password, a couples a day before I type in the keys but it seem that it accept it when it wants to and don't let me in anymore. I need a solucion because my hard disc is new and I don't want to mess it up.

Please Help!!!!

btrygg · #14 02-21-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandondork

so u lost everything?!?!?

Yep, I lost it all. A very painful (and expensive) lesson in the absolute necessity of regular backups.

I lost about 3000 MP3 files, mostly burned from my CD collection, but a lot of downloads as well, and 1000+ photos, along with email, files, projects, etc.

My next project is a serious back up system.

brandondork · #15 02-23-2005, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btrygg

Yep, I lost it all. A very painful (and expensive) lesson in the absolute necessity of regular backups.

I lost about 3000 MP3 files, mostly burned from my CD collection, but a lot of downloads as well, and 1000+ photos, along with email, files, projects, etc.

My next project is a serious back up system.

Would this work for me? Buy a new computer. Take the hard drive (the thing with all my mp3s and stuff) out the old computer and put it into the computer? I gotta save this stuff.