Resolved Windows XP Computer Will Not Boot Up!

If you both have a floppy drive, you can make an XP "Quick Boot" disk to test with. You can download the necessary file that will create one Here.

After you download that file, put a blank floppy disk in your drive bay and double click the download file. It'll create the Quick Boot disk for you.

Place that creation in the ailing computer and attempt to boot with it. Post back any results, error messages, etc.

 

Hello Evan,

You could try data recovery on your own first.

Hook the drive up to your system, either as a internal slave drive, or if you can, thru a USB port - either in a USB drive enclosure if you have one, or with a cable: IDE or SATA to USB connector. This may be a cheaper option than having a shop to try the data recovery.

Regards - Charles

 

If you are saying, by doing the above the comp will boot into XP, but while using a XP boot floppy will not work, I would first replace the CMOS/BIOS battery.

 

You should test the drive with the manufacturer's testing utilities as suggested. You will only be paying the repairers to do the same thing and you will have the experience for the future (there is not much point asking here if you are going to take it to the repairers anyway ).

You don't know that the drive is actually broken. A corrupt MBR (Master Boot Record) could cause the same symptoms. If you are going to buy a new HDD (it will be a good way of backing up your system), swap the new drive with the old (jumper it the same way, check on the labels), install Windows, set the old drive as slave or secondary master (IDE) and see if you can extract the data. Again, you will only be paying the repairer to do this for you.

Check the drive (configuration) information in the BIOS. If the drive is not being detected, again you will need to use the manufacturer's testing utilities.

The drive's model number should be listed in the BIOS. You could put that into a Google search to find the utilities, set up information and FAQs at the manufacturer's website.

Matt

 

Arie said:

I disagree. The floppy I had him download and use contains the three bootloader files for XP in addition to supplying its own MBR for booting. I think there is much information derived by booting that floppy since it will clear the bootloader files and MBR from the equation. I regard it as an excellent diagnostic tool.

Booting to the install CD doesn't necessarily clear anything specifically.

Mattman said:

Thank you but no. He just cleared the MBR from blame when he booted with the XP "Quick Boot" disk since it was using its own MBR.

Evan Emo, I agree that you now should get the diagnostic software from the HD makers site to get a clear answer. It wouldn't be a bad idea to pop the cover and check the connectors from the HD to the MOBO just for good measure. You may get lucky.

All the best.

 

surferdude2 said:

I do agree the floppy is a useful test but it only says the boot code in the MBR is not the problem but the Master Partition Table could still be bad.

posted by Evan Omo :

== bad MPT ? Hdd not seen in bios ? Bad HDD ?
Bad IDE cable ? Bad CMOS battery ?

All might be mutt , the comp might be at the shop by now.

 

U should have put the data in a disc then checked if u had a warranty for it so u could get a new drive. I bought 3 computer from microsoft once. and in the 3rd year the computers began crashing 1 by 1 month after month. I decided notto use the last 1 since i was gooing on vacation and when i opened it after a couple of months it vwas also fried. I took them to 4 different electricians and they all said go retur them for your money back. when I asked for the problem they said microsoft put viruses on it so after a couple of years u have to buy a new one.

 

Well that's certainly helpful information - I wonder if anyone else who "bought" computers from Microsoft encountered a similar situation.

 

Hi surferdude2,

Sorry, I did not look at the link originally. It is a direct download. Is there anywhere to read about what it does? Just for your endorsement, I would endorse it as well, I have not had any experience with it though, my experience is (not solely) with the manufacturer's utilities.

I would like to try it and (more than likely) encourage it's use. I always read the information about utilities (even if I cannot understand the finer details ) first. Utilities that can read through, let's say, a "broken boot sector" can be hard to find.

Matt

 

The poster has everything he needs to create a boot floppy without using a third-source download:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305595

And, this is legal. Web sites cannot legally distribute XP OS files, such as NTLDR and NTDetect.

 

Arie said:

Well, I think the Recovery Console is a bit of a kluge, to say the least and I generally prefer to use it as a last resort. The QB disk verifies all of those files with one fell swoop and also clears the MBR. It takes requires no Command Line experience to use so it's ideal for diagnosing problems on remote systems where the user is less than an expert.

mattman said:

There is a readme file that is placed on the floppy that is created. There is also a good read on it at Bootdisk.com In addition, if you want a more in depth dissertation on the subject, you can go here. Kan Yabumoto has done a service job by developing and providing free tools for the computer user. He also takes part in a forum which discusses application and uses of those products.

Bill Castner said:

Yes, I know, but when they're offered by what I consider reliable sources, I don't hesitate to take advantage of it. It's much easier than explaining to a beginner how to copy hidden and system files to a floppy. When Bootdisk.com removes it from their site menu, I'll have to revert to that but in the meantime, I'll link to them.

I've spent much too much time explaining and justifying this so this will end my commentary. I consider it as giving the time of day. If you don't choose to set your own clock, I'll understand.

All the best.

 

Evan Omo:

Sounds like a good approach.

For what its worth, I personally have found SD2's referenced boot disk utility to be very helpful and am glad that several coulda, shoulda, woulda comments were addressed. Unfortunately I am reading too many posts in several threads that appear to be directed at establishing pecking order between members instead of focusing on the problems at hand.

Sad commentary - no wink warranted.