Won't Fire Up

After being left on one night, my computer shut down - message "beginning dump ". (The ram in the machine was new last Christmas, so I doubt it's that.)
Now the box won't fire up. It goes into a loop that ends at a startup choice screen (last known, normal, etc.)
What to do?

 

Hi Chas

Is recovery console one of the options?

Have you tried Safe Mode?

Only after trying Safe Mode try Last known good.

Do you have a Windows Boot CD, and if so is it the same SP level as the OS?

Mike

 

Also what system wise was done yesterday if any?

Mike

 

Nothing will get it out of the loop.
Safe goes back to the loop also.
Don't have the start up CD!

 

Nothing was done to the sys.
I had the machine down for cleaning. Blew out the dust, buttoned it up and now...

 

Tried XP setup CD repair/recovery to no avail.

 

Post #4

post #6

What are you using?

Mike

 

Shut down the computer open case check all plug in cards and cables.

Unplug all USB and external devices remove all CD's from drives.

Mike

 

The original Windows CD

 

Ok when you try to boot with it in the drive does it ask hit enter to boot from cd?

If not on the black screen before windows while the BIOS is posting is there a notice of F11 or F12 to chose boot device?

And what is the key to enter setup? DEL?

Mike

 

Yes, it asks to hit enter to boot from CD

 

F9 is setup
Del is boot

 

Oh, and I'd checked the card connections, cables, etc. Only USB is my wireless mouse. Even pulled that.

 

OK good to know!

But I forgot to ask specifically.

Will it boot to Safe Mode Command prompt?

Also is the original windows CD the same SP (SP1-2 or 3) that you had installed on the C: drive?

Finally do you have access to another computer with CD writing?

Mike

 

I really appreciate your help Mike.
Yes, The computer I'm now on can write.
The XP disc is SP1, but all updates are on the HD.
I'll go try safe w/ command prompt now.

 

The turkey won't go to command prompt either.
This is so strange!
No changes made to box, and overnight this?

 

It has SP2, but not SP3.
Had just been debating SP3 on another thread a few days back.

 

Is your CD SP2?

If so we are going to fix this!

Mike

 

I wish it were.
It's SP1

 

Do you have access to another computer with CD writing?

If so here are our options:
we can build an SP2 or 3 CD

So that we can do a repair install, if we create an SP3 when we finish you willl be up to SP3.

OR we can use the SP1 which will put us going backward with service packs, (could have some issues) for the repair but then we will have to reinstall sp2 or go to sp3.

A repair install will reinstall windows while keeping all your settings documents emails etc!

Your call

If you do have access to another computer with cd writer I will help you slipstream.

What about it?

Mike