We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Windows wont load
Options

hardtimes
Posts: 345 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi
I have a spare laptop with win xp on it.This morning I switched it on and windows will not load.I cannot get into safe mode either,or last known config.etc
I want to get it started and do a system restore as I do not have the win xp disc
Any ideas?
I have a spare laptop with win xp on it.This morning I switched it on and windows will not load.I cannot get into safe mode either,or last known config.etc
I want to get it started and do a system restore as I do not have the win xp disc
Any ideas?
0
Comments
-
sorry i cant help with the windows problem however i would suggest looking at downloading ubuntu for the time being which you can then try and run as a liveCD so you can back up any important documents or files you might need,Drop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0 -
Need more info as to what is happening. How is it not starting and are you getting any error messages?
But in general some troubleshooting steps are:
First test is to try to boot into the bios of the computer. If you can't boot into bios, then the hardware has failed (most likely the main board) and needs replacing. (I would sugest searching for things to do with a broken laptop)
If bios works. Check to see if the HDD seems to be installed. If the HDD is showing there then it is most likely corrupt software that is the problem. If the HDD is not there, it has failed or is not installed properly. Pull out the HDD and replace it to see if that helps.
If you think that the software is corrupt you will have little choice but to get a copy of the windows and try and reinstall it. Most most laptops you can borrow a disk and then just enter the code on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop to register windows (Samsung computers are one exception to this)
If that is still not possible then downloading one of the Linux live cd's is your only choice.
If you don't know how to do any of the above - just google it.0 -
tequilastew wrote: »Need more info as to what is happening. How is it not starting and are you getting any error messages?
But in general some troubleshooting steps are:
First test is to try to boot into the bios of the computer. If you can't boot into bios, then the hardware has failed (most likely the main board) and needs replacing. (I would sugest searching for things to do with a broken laptop)
If bios works. Check to see if the HDD seems to be installed. If the HDD is showing there then it is most likely corrupt software that is the problem. If the HDD is not there, it has failed or is not installed properly. Pull out the HDD and replace it to see if that helps.
If you think that the software is corrupt you will have little choice but to get a copy of the windows and try and reinstall it. Most most laptops you can borrow a disk and then just enter the code on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop to register windows (Samsung computers are one exception to this)
If that is still not possible then downloading one of the Linux live cd's is your only choice.
If you don't know how to do any of the above - just google it.
On the blue screen it states unmountable boot volume0 -
unmountable boot volumn can mean the hard drive has a problem, so either go into the bios and see if its still showings, open it up take it out and replace it (make a note of the make and model, if it still doesnt work check online for the make and model and get the hard drive manufactorers utility disk and run than (they are bootable diagnosic cd) otherwise use the ubuntu livecd and see if you can access the hard drive from thereDrop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards