We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Windows XP Did Not Start Successfully problem

Hi,

Our desktop has just gone into "Windows Did Not Start Successfuly" mode!!

I have tried restarting windows using all of the options shown (i.e. Safe Mode/with Networking/with Command Prompt, Last Know Good Configuration and Start Windows Normally) but it keeps looping back to the screen with the start options.

A blue screen (the BIOS screen?) flashes past when I use the Start Windows Normally option, but it is too fast for me to see what is displayed!!

The machine had XP installed on delivery, so I don't have the XP CDs, and although I had madea recovery disk some time ago, Sod's law dictates it is nowhere to be found now (lesson learned - keep it somewhere safe I guess!!).

I have searced through numerous websites on the subject, but all appear to require the XP CDs to effect a recovery. Would it be possible to use someone elses's XP CDs?

Any help/suggestions gratefullyr eceived.

Thanks.
«1

Comments

  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,545 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    anyones xp cds to do basic commands like fixboot, chkdsk etc but manufacturers ows version of XP for a repair or reinstall
    Ex forum ambassador

    Long term forum member
  • rygon
    rygon Posts: 748 Forumite
    I thought as long as the type of XP (home pro etc) was the same as the key you can use that disc. I know I have used my mates XP disc with my key and it worked perfectly. I did a full reinstall though which meant possibilty of losing everything on that HDD. Managed to plug my HDD into someone elses pc and get everything I wanted off it
    Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
  • AHAR
    AHAR Posts: 984 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    tonymc wrote: »
    I have tried restarting windows using all of the options shown

    You need to select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" option to leave the blue error screen on display.
  • tonymc
    tonymc Posts: 249 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    AHAR wrote: »
    You need to select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" option to leave the blue error screen on display.

    Is this found in the CMOS Setup Utility as this is the only set of options I seem to be able to get into.

    Cheers.
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,545 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    no , its an option on the balck screen with , start in safe mode, start windows normally etc
    Ex forum ambassador

    Long term forum member
  • tonymc
    tonymc Posts: 249 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Browntoa wrote: »
    no , its an option on the balck screen with , start in safe mode, start windows normally etc

    Unfortunately this doesn't appear on the screen, only the options for restarting windows as I noted above - very frustrating.

    I am going to brave the snow and see if our neighbours have an XP CD - I may be some time!!
  • AHAR
    AHAR Posts: 984 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 21 December 2010 pm31 7:40PM
    Hit F8 at the menu you do get and that option I mentioned should appear I think. It's worth finding out what that error message is before trying anything else.
  • tonymc
    tonymc Posts: 249 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Have managed to use the F8 key to stop the automatic restart on system failure.

    Blue screen now showing with:

    "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

    Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware of software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

    If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup options, and then select Safe Mode."

    However, as far as I am aware, the only new software loaded recently has been an AVG Free update three or four days ago.

    That said, the above is irrelevant as I still don't seem to be able to start in safe or any other mode!! Fingers crossed, my neighbours sister has a copy of XP - may see if I can use this to effect a repair.
  • AHAR
    AHAR Posts: 984 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    In my experience, running a chkdsk /r command from the recovery console (XP CD required) fairly often fixes that, but not always....
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,545 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297185

    When you first restart your computer during the upgrade to Windows XP, or when you start Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:
    STOP 0x000000ED (0xaaaaaaaa,0xbbbbbbbb,0xcccccccc,0xdddddddd)
    UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
    Ex forum ambassador

    Long term forum member
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.