Windows won't start - what do I do plse?

Hi Linda

Try starting XP in safemode.

Last known Good config is only good for a one time try, you should always try this one first. After it tries a normal boot, this will be overwritten.

One option should be safemode, with various options, networking etc. Just see if it boots up in basic safemode (just loads your essential bits and bobs).

If it does, then try rebooting and see if it comes up normally. If it's the same problem, load back in safemode, and uninstall your Norton stuff, reboot and see if it comes again.

Personally, I'd steer clear of 2000, and stick with XP. Worse case, doing a format and just reinstalling XP wouldn't take too long if your just using the PC as a print server.

THANKS Steve. The speedy and helpful advice is much appreciated but my computer still says "no can do".

XXXX, the thing still won't work in safe mode.

Have tried reinstalling - no luck so far.

Am now strongly inclined to give up but plse tell me if you see any more hope (this computer and the printer aren't worth spending money or much time on).

Random thoughts:-

I've noticed of the lights on the tower case the bottom green one is on, the intermediate orange one comes on intermittently and the top one isn't on at all. Does that mean disk failure?

The text on the screen while it tries to start up mentions System 32 drivers a lot.

Also pri.master disk and slave disk HDD Smart capability are disabled (maybe they always were????) as is DRAM ECC mode.

Could the fault be caused by a loose connection anywhere, in the cables, sockets etc?

How do I wipe the info on the computer off it, when I can't get the thing to work?

Is there likely to be such a thing as a "translator" linking bit to enable my printer to talk to the laptop (which has got USB ports on it but nowt else I think)?

Any thoughts welcome - though I suspect there is no fix for this particular problem. Thanks anyway. Linda

Oh dear

Sounds like its destined for the scrap yard.

Printer wise, I assume you are talking about a parallel port cable (wide plug) which you haven't got on your laptop?

If so, you can get adapters for this, have a look at the below link, is that what you need?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ABC-Products-Parallel-IEEE-1284-Centronics/dp/B000PALZFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320159552&sr=8-1

If it is, only downside with an old printer is trying to get it talking to a more modern operating system, so guess it depends on what O/S you have on your laptop, and can you get a printer driver for it (or your O/S might pick it up automatically if plug and pray works)

Ref getting your old info off, me personally, I take them out and whack them to death with a hammer. Not scientific, but great for relieving stress

It could be hard drive failure, but with all the system 32 errors you're picking up, its more than likely that windows is up to no good.

There is a way to format the hard drive and then reinstall windows without having to boot windows at all.

You need to go to your BIOS, have a look where it details your boot sequence. Change it so that it boots from a cd, you can then restart the PC with the windows disc in the CD/DVD drive, and it should install or even repair from there. (if you could have accessed safe mode, you could have done a system restore, which could have taken you back to before norton was installed as well.)

Ok back to the process. Sometimes it takes a bit of hit and miss, because it is sometimes set to load the hard drive if there is nothing detectable in the CD/DVD drive. You could disable that, or load the disc as soon as the PC starts POST. If it works well, you will get a message saying press any key to continue, and it should give you the option to repair or re install windows. To remove everything off the drive, it will ask if you would like to format the drive before installing, and ask you which format you would like to use. for XP, I recommend NTFS. It's also not always a good idea to use quick format. I have found instances when I have used it, only to find that some files aren't really deleted.

After the format, the install should start as normal. It will reboot after formatting, and load again from the cd/dvd. It will load the same way it did when you started, but if you leave it, and not press anything it should take you to the install screen and take things from there. (I learnt the hard way. lol I love pushing buttons )

With hard drive failure, you usually get a "NTLDR is missing press any key to continue" message, which means that either the HD isn't plugged in properly or the disk has coughed its last wheeze. To fix that, you can just go to a PC store, get another HD and reinstall windows the way I mentioned above, using the same technique.

I hope it all works out and that you can get the PC running again.

Good luck

THANKS Steve and Dreamraven

Will try Dreamraven's approach first, then junk my PC if it fails to take its last chance!

Am very grateful to you both. Thanks again, Linda

You're welcome. Good luck, I hope it all works out.

Sam

Just for info ....

PC junked (spares gone to good Freecycle homes, hard drives whipped out to be securely stored) and all of a sudden, I've got SPACE on my desk! It's rather nice!

Now what else can I get rid of????????????

I'm glad it all worked out for you. I have two desks in my room. One for my laptop and one for my desktop. Not sure I'll be making space anytime soon.