Computer keeps rebooting but won't load windows XP UPDATED

xxdeebeexx

Hi I think my computer has died! My desk top has been running really slowly recently and today was the slowest it has ever been. I turned it off and now it won't re boot properly. It boots up, gives me the option of using normal or safe mode and then closes down and then bootsup again repeating this pattern. I have managed to intrrupt the cycle by pressing an F key and now have a BIOS SETUP UTILITY screen.

Naturally I haven't done a system back up for months and was wondering if there was any way of rescuing some of my data especially photos.

Is there anyone that can offer any help please...I am a complete novice.

TIA

Dx

exup

When you get the post startup screen - is your harddrive showing up as being found?
This should show up before the windows loading screen - just after you get a message like "press __ for setup"
It will state your memory size - which drives are detected, such as IDE or SATA drives -

xxdeebeexx

exup wrote: »

When you get the post startup screen - is your harddrive showing up as being found?
This should show up before the windows loading screen - just after you get a message like "press __ for setup"
It will state your memory size - which drives are detected, such as IDE or SATA drives -

No ......I just get an HP screen, then a black screen asking what operating system and then it flips to another screen asking if I want to start in safe mode , safe mode with networking etc etc . Then the system closes down and re boots itself.

I have 6 recovery discks will these help?


Just realised that if I press F1 I get BOIS SET UP UTILITY that has lots of options including memory banks 0,1,2,3,

TIA

Dx

exup

if you go into your BIOS setup then you should be able to select the boot deivice - As you are getting the message "start in safe mode" etc then I suspect that your harddrive is being detected - and that it has an operating system on it - but there is a problem - either with your harddrive or with getting the data off it to boot up.
do you have your original operating system disc? such as windows XP for instance ? If so then you may need to put this in the CD/DVD drive (you may need to change your 1st boot device to CD/DVD rom for this to pick up before your harddrive)

xxdeebeexx

exup wrote: »

if you go into your BIOS setup then you should be able to select the boot deivice - As you are getting the message "start in safe mode" etc then I suspect that your harddrive is being detected - and that it has an operating system on it - but there is a problem - either with your harddrive or with getting the data off it to boot up.
do you have your original operating system disc? such as windows XP for instance ? If so then you may need to put this in the CD/DVD drive (you may need to change your 1st boot device to CD/DVD rom for this to pick up before your harddrive)

The software came preloaded all I have are 6 recovery discs.....
Everything else seems very complicated

I can find Boot Device Priority
Boot-time diagnostic screen is disabled

Thanks

Dx

exup

i would attempt to try your recovery discs - but be careful about an option for formatting your hard drive (if it gives you that option) as this willl erase your files from your harddrive -
The data you want (from your original post) may be recovered - but you may need to take it to a local PC shop for it to be recovered or the problem sorting.

xxdeebeexx

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk me throughthe problem. If I start thr recovery disc option can I abandon this if I get too scared?

TIA

Dx

cit_k

Have you tried starting in safe mode etc?

exup

if you cant start in safe mode - then try the recovery discs - although there shouldnt be anything to get scared about in using them - if you are worried though - then may need to ask advice from local PC expert before going ahead with it

xxdeebeexx

cit_k wrote: »

Have you tried starting in safe mode etc?

Yes won't start in safe mode...reaches a part of the way and shuts down,then reboots itself.

Dx

xxdeebeexx

exup wrote: »

if you cant start in safe mode - then try the recovery discs - although there shouldnt be anything to get scared about in using them - if you are worried though - then may need to ask advice from local PC expert before going ahead with it

Sorry to keep bothering you, but at what point do I put the recovery disc into the disc drive?

Thanks

Dx