Laptop refusing to get past Windows screen..

[Dedge89]

Basically my friend has been using an old Compaq NVO laptop for just internet and work and I've shared it with him too but today when I turned it on it went to the black screen saying windows didn't shut down properly do you want to;

START IN SAFEMODE
START IN SAFEMODE WITH NETWORKING
START IN SAFEMODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT

LAST KNOWN WORKING CONFIGURATION (or along those lines)

START WINDOWS NORMALLY.

No matter what option I select it proceeds to the Windows XP loading bar, then a QUICK blue screen flashes then it goes back to the menu above. Ive tried every option, I've tried using the BIOS to change boot order, everything setting in the BIOS and tried turning off the laptop letting it cool e.t.c.

We havent got the Windows XP reboot disk to reformat.

What can we do?

Thankyou

 

[nickbits]

If last known good configuration didn't work, you'll need to get the cd and run the repair mode. If that doesn't work you'll need to do a fresh install probably. This assumes there isn't some underlying hardware problem that is causing the issue in the first place.

 

[Harvey]

I smell virus. Wipe it and re-install your OS from the ground up. I hope you have the restore disk set and backed up your files.

If you don't have the restore disk set, Compaq will probably sell you a set for a reasonable price, possilby around $25. They don't have to charge you for a new copy of Windows because the license is with the machine (the sticker is on the bottom of your machine). They're just selling you a replacement means to install it and the associated drivers and utilities.

Alternatively, if you have a copy of Windows, you can install it and download all of the drivers for your machine from HP - Compaq's page for your model. Be sure your machine supports the version of Windows you want to install. Many older machines won't support Vista.

If you didn't back up your files, and you need to recover any files, here are two ways you can try to save them (but no guarantee):

1. Remove the hard drive, replace it with another, and install your new setup. AFTER you install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your new setup, you can boot up in Safe Mode, connect the old drive as a slave, scan the old drive for malware and finally, transfer the files you need to your new drive.

If you're not using Vista, you can use a utilty like one of the older versions of Norton Ghost to boot to DOS using an external floppy or bootable flash drive and clone your drive to the now external backup drive. If you're using Vista, you'll need a utility that will deal with it, such as a newer version of Acronis True Image.

2. Remove the drive, connect it as a slave on a well protected machine, scan the drive and back up your files. Once you reinstall your OS, and programs, including protection, you use the other machine to burn your files to a CD, DVD or flash drive to transfer them back to your laptop. DO NOT forget to scan them again from your new setup.

There are other variations on this theme, depending on your available hardware, such as setting the CMOS to boot first from an external hard drive, building your setup on that drive and cloning the external drive to your regular drive.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[mpilchfamily]

There may be no need fotr a copleate wipe and reinstall. A repair install should fix the problem. If not then there may be a hardware issue here. There may be curruption in the file system either due to a failing HDD or failing RAM. You can run Memtest to see if the RAM checks out.