Computer Gone Mad

Miroslav

If I get any replies and I don't respond for a few days, apologies, it's because the computer has gone again.

Basically, last night, my PC went wrong and wouldn't boot up again. It kept getting past the Windows XP screen, flashing blue very briefly and then restarting. Wouldn't let me start in safe mode, last working order etc etc.

Been trying different things today and nothing, until it started this time, but it's like it's in safe mode - big, lacking colours and graphics etc and lethargic. I didn't think I could get online in safe mode???? Firewall is on etc.

I've run all virus/spyware/malware programmes, defragged and all the rest since I got back on in this strange state.

After about 100 goes, the error is either unreadable_boot_volume or undetectable_boot_volume.

Chkdsk had an error.

I don't know why it's connected me this time, so i'm reluctant to switch off as I doubt I can get back again.

Is there anything I can do whilst I am here to try and sort my problem?

Windows XP is the OS

Need any more details? Please ask, i've probably forgotten alot.

Finally, I have a Windows XP disk in case of emergency - all data on PC is already saved bar a few bits, which can be re-obtained. The only issue, it's not in it's original case, which could be anywhere here. How can I find my Windows XP serial number on my system?

Thanks for any help.

Miroslav

Okay. I've changed the display settings and it's now all fine.

I still don't know if i'm in safe mode or not and I still don't wish to turn off/restart my PC.

thescouselander

Could be a hard drive error. Suggest you boot off a bootable CD (the windows xp disk) and run CHKDSK to sort out any bad sectors - you'll need to run chkdsk/f to fix the errors.

Might be that your hard disk has had it though.

Miroslav

It seems to have let me in for now. I'm reluctant to turn the PC off. How long can I leave PC on before it damages?

It could be the hard disk, I agree.

I ran chkdsk and it said erros found. Didn't know about the /f, so will try that later, thanks.

I have 2 spare HD's, but when I put them in to boot up, it doesn't work? One of them should have XP on it from my old PC. Is there a reason it won't boot up using that HD? I cannot remember what it said. One said no ntld or something. The other bad/no media? Not 100%

If I put in another of my HD's and the boot from disk, will it put windows onto that HD for me?

Appreciate any help as I don't know too much.

thescouselander

I've seen this happen before and chkdsk has fixed the problem which might not return. I'd try fixing the error and see how it goes from there before writing the disk off.

Miroslav

I'll give it a go later thescouselander, thanks.

Will try and save some data first. It's re-obtainable, but it may save me time in the long run.

Are their any other disks (CD) that I can try and burn that may help any boot issues? I have plenty of things here, I just don't know what they do.

gaming_guy

Miroslav wrote: »

It seems to have let me in for now. I'm reluctant
I have 2 spare HD's, but when I put them in to boot up, it doesn't work? One of them should have XP on it from my old PC. Is there a reason it won't boot up using that HD? I cannot remember what it said. One said no ntld or something. The other bad/no media? Not 100%

shouldn't have an effect as i have a machine with 2 HDDs of which one was from my old machine and it has XP and Vista (x86 & x64) installed.

another thing to check is that the drive's jumpers are set correctly (if they use ide, the wide, flat grey cables). if they use sata then jumpers are not needed

Miroslav

For some reason it wouldn't let me use the HDD from my old machine and the spare one that I have.

They must be ide as they are flat grey cables. It all seems to be in place.

Screen keeps flickering as well. Graphics on internet and in programs are fine, but windows has blue lines on the desktop amongst other things.

Would a HDD cause these issues.

PC froze moments ago and had to restart - it let me back in for now

thescouselander

Miroslav wrote: »

For some reason it wouldn't let me use the HDD from my old machine and the spare one that I have.

They must be ide as they are flat grey cables. It all seems to be in place.

Screen keeps flickering as well. Graphics on internet and in programs are fine, but windows has blue lines on the desktop amongst other things.

Would a HDD cause these issues.

PC froze moments ago and had to restart - it let me back in for now

Sounds a bit strange, it sounds like your HD may have had errors but there could be something else as well - maybe a hardware fault. Is your video card plugged in securely? You might also need to look at your memory for problems.

Miroslav

I've had a video card error, but i've only put in the new one today AFTER the PC went wrong.

The new one has a slot for the monitor to be plugged in. The old one had TV, Line out, Vid, Line in.

I didn't put that one back in as it was failing. Should I have kept that in as well?

I've taken the memory stick out and put it back in again.

I think it is a HD problem. I just want to be able to install windows on one of my other HD's as backup. I thought one would have it on already as it's the old HD from my last PC which also had XP.