XP refuses to start...

dragonfly · 09-27-2006, 05:07 PM

I've been looking at my friends PC and it refuses to start up...

Well it only goes as far as the DOS menu, for Safe mode in different options and reconfiguring.

It doesn't matter which option you choose it seems to go back round in a loop..restart then menu appears..Wierd!!

I tried f3 and brought an unusual menu to allow to boot from CD or from harddrive...

I'm trying to bring back to life ife if I can and leave formatting as a last option, if I can help it..

technobeast · 09-27-2006, 11:55 PM

Why don't you try to repair it with the Windows XP CD?

dragonfly · 09-28-2006, 03:53 AM

I'll let you how I get on as I didn't have access to a disk....

dragonfly · 09-28-2006, 10:19 AM

PC won't give access to the CD drive...

technobeast · 09-28-2006, 10:38 AM

You mean you cannot put the Windows XP installation CD, and boot from it? Could this be just your BIOS not been set up?

dragonfly · 09-29-2006, 04:25 AM

Thats right..Place the CD into the drive and the machine seems to ignore it...I press f8 and a blue screen option appears to boot from either the hard disk or CD.
I try the CD option, but this doesn't work!! as Harddrive stays highlighted..

I don't know no other way to gain access to the Bios.
Unfortunately its one of those pre in stalled software machines and has 2 seperate 160G harddrives.(internally)
what a mare!!

technobeast · 09-30-2006, 01:06 AM

OK, during machine startup - the first screen where it counts RAM, shows CPU, etc... try to press Del key (it might as well be F2 - probably will show sign as "Press F2 to enter Setup/Configuration/BIOS). Then find the Advanced tab (or the Chipset section... can't remember exactly). There should be a point like "Boot sequence, First boot device, etc" and the order normally is C, CDROM, A.... or similar... try to change it (with +/-, PgUp/PgDown keys...probably) to CDROM, C, A or CDROM, HDD0, Floppy. Then Exit the BIOS and save the changes made (F10 is usually the key for Save changes and exit). After that the PC restarts.... and should try to boot from the CDROM first.

p.s. btw while in BIOS try to enter General tab or section. See what it shows for HDDs....does it find both with the correct info?

dragonfly · 10-02-2006, 05:23 AM

Finally I was able to boot from the CD via the bios..But its got to be the strangest looking Bios I've ever seen.

It only allows me to boot from the Harddrive or the CD...This has got to be some kind of manufactuer setting, anyway followed the CD root and the only options I had was to install/ format or not to bother...

This OC has no floppy disk and when I selected the ASR option, it asked for a floppy!!!

I don't seem to be able gain access to DOS,,,so does it seem I've got go the formatting route???

technobeast · 10-03-2006, 09:01 AM

Probably that's the thing to do... :-( sorry!

dragonfly · 10-03-2006, 07:56 PM

thanks for your help anyway..

09-27-2006, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	XP refuses to start... I've been looking at my friends PC and it refuses to start up... Well it only goes as far as the DOS menu, for Safe mode in different options and reconfiguring. It doesn't matter which option you choose it seems to go back round in a loop..restart then menu appears..Wierd!! I tried f3 and brought an unusual menu to allow to boot from CD or from harddrive... I'm trying to bring back to life ife if I can and leave formatting as a last option, if I can help it.. __________________ Roll with the beats...

09-27-2006, 11:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	Why don't you try to repair it with the Windows XP CD? __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

09-28-2006, 03:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	I'll let you how I get on as I didn't have access to a disk.... __________________ Roll with the beats...

09-28-2006, 10:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	PC won't give access to the CD drive... __________________ Roll with the beats...

09-28-2006, 10:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	You mean you cannot put the Windows XP installation CD, and boot from it? Could this be just your BIOS not been set up? __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

09-29-2006, 04:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	Thats right..Place the CD into the drive and the machine seems to ignore it...I press f8 and a blue screen option appears to boot from either the hard disk or CD. I try the CD option, but this doesn't work!! as Harddrive stays highlighted.. I don't know no other way to gain access to the Bios. Unfortunately its one of those pre in stalled software machines and has 2 seperate 160G harddrives.(internally) what a mare!! __________________ Roll with the beats...

09-30-2006, 01:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	OK, during machine startup - the first screen where it counts RAM, shows CPU, etc... try to press Del key (it might as well be F2 - probably will show sign as "Press F2 to enter Setup/Configuration/BIOS). Then find the Advanced tab (or the Chipset section... can't remember exactly). There should be a point like "Boot sequence, First boot device, etc" and the order normally is C, CDROM, A.... or similar... try to change it (with +/-, PgUp/PgDown keys...probably) to CDROM, C, A or CDROM, HDD0, Floppy. Then Exit the BIOS and save the changes made (F10 is usually the key for Save changes and exit). After that the PC restarts.... and should try to boot from the CDROM first. p.s. btw while in BIOS try to enter General tab or section. See what it shows for HDDs....does it find both with the correct info? __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

10-02-2006, 05:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	Finally I was able to boot from the CD via the bios..But its got to be the strangest looking Bios I've ever seen. It only allows me to boot from the Harddrive or the CD...This has got to be some kind of manufactuer setting, anyway followed the CD root and the only options I had was to install/ format or not to bother... This OC has no floppy disk and when I selected the ASR option, it asked for a floppy!!! I don't seem to be able gain access to DOS,,,so does it seem I've got go the formatting route??? __________________ Roll with the beats...

10-03-2006, 09:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	Probably that's the thing to do... :-( sorry! __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

10-03-2006, 07:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
dragonfly Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: U.K Posts: 71	thanks for your help anyway.. __________________ Roll with the beats...

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