Emachines computer problem!!!

Bugatti_Boi

Hey Everyone.

I have recently started having a problem with my computer. What happens is when you turn it on it comes up saying that it had a problem starting up successfully and then gave me a few options to chose from which are:
1. Safe mode
2. Safe mode with networking
3. Safe mode with command prompt
4. Last known configuration
5. Start windows normally

Option number 5 stayed highlighted even though I had the choice to choose the other options but I was not able to use the arrow keys to change to and different option. Also its not the first time this has happened and the last time it did I had to reboot the system completely but I don't want to have to this time because I have not backed stuff up because I never thought I would have the same problem happen anymore.

Has anyone else got any ideas because I would like to be able to get this problem sorted asap.

CHR15

Is your keyboard a USB Keyboard?

can you simply hit 1 instead of using the arrows?

Bugatti_Boi

CHR15 wrote: »

Is your keyboard a USB Keyboard?

can you simply hit 1 instead of using the arrows?

yes it is a usb keyboard and I cant hit 1 instead of using the arrows because the options weren't numbered its just the way I typed it.

CHR15

Doh! my mistake, couldn't recall if the numbers were there or not.

There is a BIOS option to enable legacy USB support. This enables your USB devices to work before Windows has loaded. Not much use to you as you won't be able to access BIOS without a keyboard.

Can you use a different keyboard with a PS2 connector (purple or green (can't recall which) round conector)?

Your keyboard may have come with a USB/PS2 adaptor, have a look in the box if you still have it.

If you can access the BIOS, have a poke about through the menus looking for USB options and enable Lagacy Support, you should then be able to select the boot options and go into Safe Mode.

Failing all that you could try a Repair of the OS using the Windows disk (assuming you can boot from CD first).

macman

Bugatti_Boi wrote: »

Hey Everyone.

I have recently started having a problem with my computer. What happens is when you turn it on it comes up saying that it had a problem starting up successfully and then gave me a few options to chose from which are:
1. Safe mode
2. Safe mode with networking
3. Safe mode with command prompt
4. Last known configuration
5. Start windows normally

Option number 5 stayed highlighted even though I had the choice to choose the other options but I was not able to use the arrow keys to change to and different option. Also its not the first time this has happened and the last time it did I had to reboot the system completely but I don't want to have to this time because I have not backed stuff up because I never thought I would have the same problem happen anymore.

Has anyone else got any ideas because I would like to be able to get this problem sorted asap.

I'm afraid the theory of lightning never striking twice in the same place does not apply to computers...hopefully your data is retrievable even if your OS will not boot.
Can you borrow a PS2 keyboard to use in safe mode should USB be non-functional?

HoofeHearted

A friend of mine had this problem recently (also with usb keyboard). When he brought it to me to have a look at, my ps2 keyboard would not work.

Eventually got it to boot then it crashed and would not get past the Dell splash screen.

Eventually found out that one of the DIMMs (RAM) had failed.

Try removing them one at a time and see if the problem goes away. If it does, replace the faulty one and away you go.

Bugatti_Boi

CHR15 wrote: »

Doh! my mistake, couldn't recall if the numbers were there or not.

There is a BIOS option to enable legacy USB support. This enables your USB devices to work before Windows has loaded. Not much use to you as you won't be able to access BIOS without a keyboard.

Can you use a different keyboard with a PS2 connector (purple or green (can't recall which) round conector)?

Your keyboard may have come with a USB/PS2 adaptor, have a look in the box if you still have it.

If you can access the BIOS, have a poke about through the menus looking for USB options and enable Lagacy Support, you should then be able to select the boot options and go into Safe Mode.

Failing all that you could try a Repair of the OS using the Windows disk (assuming you can boot from CD first).

I tried that and had no luck all i really can do is reboot thats if I can

macman

When you say 'reboot', do you mean reinstall? Rebooting means simply shutting down your computer and restarting it. If you reinstall your OS or do a factory restore, you will lose all your data.
Do you have the original XP boot disk or a restore disk supplied with the PC?

Bugatti_Boi

macman wrote: »

When you say 'reboot', do you mean reinstall? Rebooting means simply shutting down your computer and restarting it. If you reinstall your OS or do a factory restore, you will lose all your data.
Do you have the original XP boot disk or a restore disk supplied with the PC?

I do mean reinstalling and I do have the original xp disc but do have some problems when it comes to reinstalling all over again and I know it means that I will lose out on all my data.

macman

Only other option is to try and recover your data by removing the HD and putting it in a external USB caddy, copy the data somewhere else first and then do a reinstall.

CHR15

You won't necessarily lose your data if you try to repair the install

Instructions are here

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Pay particular attention when it tells you to NOT select repair at the first option.
For this to work, you must be able to boot from your CD Drive first.

This is high risk though as if it all goes belly up, you really will lose your data. If the repair works, you should have all your documents and photos intact.