XPcomputer blue screen during start up

Coveredinbees!!!!

I just got back from my Dads with his PC, apparently he turned it on the other day and some message came up on the screen he can't remember what it was but he turned off the computer. My mum went on to tell me that my nephew hasn't been wanting to go on it lately so I'm guessing he downloaded or did something, screwed it up and then avoided going on the computer until my dad unwittingly turned it on and screwed it up. Now when you turn it on it comes up with the windows wasn't shut down correctly screen but none of the safe mode options will let the computer boot. It gets so far, blue screens then starts up again.

I've not got an XP disc but can download things off the internet with my computer.

Any ideas?


If it helps it a HP t3000

fwor

What error message do you get with the blue screen? Some can indicate specific hardware problems (e.g. BAD_POOL_CALLER often means memory problems).

Assuming it's not a hardware problem, your next best bet would be to borrow an install CD for the correct version of XP and do a repair install. I wouldn't recommend downloading anything that purports to be XP, as it's nearly impossible to be sure that it's clear of malware.

If your dad only uses it for browsing and email, you might find that the quickest solution is to format and install one of the Linux distros instead.

Coveredinbees!!!!

I don't know what the blue screen actually say because it's only up for a fraction of a second before it reboots. I'm trying to connect the drive to my PC to see what's going on but have a toddler up my leg every 5 minutes it's slow going

Stompa

See if the error message shows up in Event Viewer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

fwor

Stompa wrote: »

See if the error message shows up in Event Viewer:

And if not, might be worth checking for a Minidump file.

Before doing that, I'd download and run one of the small linux distros such as Puppy and see if that will run as a LiveCD - if it will, you can rule out a major hardware problem.

Coveredinbees!!!!

I got it too boot now I find it has been infected with system tool virus!