Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Computer newbies forum: win xp won't boot after power failure

by: slowride45 June 14, 2007 2:58 PM PDT

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

win xp won't boot after power failure

by slowride45 - 6/14/07 2:58 PM

While I was reading mail I had a power failure. I restarted the computer a while after the power was restored and while the system was booting...power failure...argh!
Now, when I turn on the system it doesn't boot up. I'm taken to an error screen that offers three different safe mode start up options etc. I tried all of the options (all five) and none of them successfully start windows.
Is there a way to get this system to boot without losing my data?
my system information is as follows:
self built,
P4 HT 3.2
Win XP SP2
1Gb RAM
ASUS MB
2X190 Gb Maxtor SATA


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

What happens?

by John.Wilkinson Moderator - 6/14/07 5:48 PM

In Reply to: win xp won't boot after power failure by slowride45

What happens when you select Safe Mode (without networking)? Does it spit out an error message, automatically reboot, or...?

If none of them work my next suggestion would be to repair Windows XP, a process that leaves your files, settings, and programs intact, though you may have to reinstall a few programs to work out various glitches that may occur. (Select programs will report your subscription has expired.)

It's entirely possible that it was more than just a loss of power, though. If you experienced a spike or surge it could potentially have damaged your computer, assuming no surge protector was used. Just something to keep in mind.

Let us know.
John


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

I'm so lost

by slowride45 - 6/14/07 7:57 PM

In Reply to: What happens? by John.Wilkinson Moderator

Everytime I choose any selection, the xp screen displays...it thinks...and thinks...any then goes back to the error screen with "normal start up" and the timer ticks...The system will continue this cycle until I stop it.

I did try to use the cd, restore console, press r, and shortly after I am taken to a command line. I dont think anything is being retored.

I also tried to change the drive primaries and install windows on my second hard drive, but I am not given the option to select the drive.

Is my only option to get another hard drive and install windows on it?


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Sounds serious. . .

by Coryphaeus - 6/14/07 5:49 PM

In Reply to: win xp won't boot after power failure by slowride45

If you have the XP CD you might boot from it and try a repair install.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

repair install failed

by slowride45 - 6/14/07 7:59 PM

In Reply to: Sounds serious. . . by Coryphaeus

I tried a repair install and it did not work.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

by Mr.Brilliant - 6/14/07 8:24 PM

In Reply to: repair install failed by slowride45

what is the error? Does it restart? If so you may want to reinstall it completely. If it gives a blue screen, Then what does the blue scren say? if it gives the error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal, then yopur system is 100% going to fail again and as such toast.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

blue screen states...

by slowride45 - 6/14/07 9:46 PM

In Reply to: ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! by Mr.Brilliant

I just tried to install windows xp home, on a new hard drive i picked up and I get the same blue screen as the other times i've tried to install...unknown disc
(there is no disc in this drive) this message is repeated four times in the box where you would normally pick the drive to install windows. I an totally lost now!


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

That's not a newbie PC.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/15/07 5:10 AM

In Reply to: blue screen states... by slowride45

Let me be a little blunt here. The machine is a fairly advanced system with SATA drives which means you can't toss your XP SP2 CD in there and do the repair install.

With most (if not all) SATA systems you need to boot the XP SP2 CD (yes, you should have the XP SP2 CD, not XP) and then tap the F6 key at the right screen then offer the SATA DRIVER DISKETTE so it can find the hard disks.

Not a newbie machine.
Not a newbie repair.

Who did this to you?

Bob


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Newbie = new to this

by slowride45 - 6/15/07 2:16 PM

In Reply to: That's not a newbie PC. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Thanks for the info. I didn't know I needed to reload the SATA drivers. I know I did when I started the system the first time, but I didn't think I would have to reinstall them...Makes sense though...system not recognizing the drives...I'll try it.
The person at the service center (because I almost recheached my wits end)told me they would have to reinstall my os and I thought "at that price I could get another HD"
I may have better then average components, but i consider my tech knowledge average, newbie if you will.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Not that we need to reload those drivers....

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/15/07 2:24 PM

In Reply to: Newbie = new to this by slowride45

But XP doesn't know how to use SATA drives without them. So the repair install is a fine idea but the steps are not as easy as we would want them to be.

In short...

Read about XP REPAIR INSTALL on google.com but also read about HOW TO INSTALL XP TO A SATA HARD DISK on google. What we need to do is to use knowledge from the second set of articles to get the REPAIR INSTALL rolling along.

Bob


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close