Windows crashed - help!

bambam69

This won't work as when I try to get into the recovery console bit it gives me the same message "examining 39206MB disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi..." and thats it...

GreenNotM

Hi Bambam are you using recovery console from the CD boot ?? not the F8 disk boot options ??

bambam69

Errrr....


I'm booting up from the win cd in the drive, then err yes maybe I'm pressing f8...

Sorry I'm in work at the mo, obviuosly I haven't got internet at home and am trying to remember what I did last night.

What should I be doing?

BillScarab

1/ check your BIOS is set to boot from CD. To do this hit the 'delete' key when you first switch it on. This should take you into the BIOS, on some PCs you have to hit a function key e.g. F8 or F2 though.

2/ In the BIOS there should be a setting called something like 'boot priority', this is the order the computer checks devices to see fi they are bootable. It will probably be set to HDD0, change the first device to your CD drive. Exit the BIOS and make sure you save your changes. Do not change anything else unless you are confident you know what you are doing.

3/ It will then reboot, so long as the CD is in the drive it will boot from the CD. You can then get into the recovery console as described above.

Personally I would try chkdisk /r first and reboot. If that doesn't fix it try the fixmbr command.

GreenNotM

Full Instructions here Microsoft Site for the boot to Recovery Console
and here to run chkdsk from the RC
And to quote .... added bits in red

Microsoft_Technet wrote:

From the Setup CD-ROM
1.
Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
2.
When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R.
3.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console.
4.
When prompted, type the Administrator password. (maybe blank if you do not know it, not the word "blank" ....old joke :rolleyes: )
5.
At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command. ( i.e. chkdsk /? will work as well )

5a. You will now have a blank screen and a command prompt "c:\" etc
type chkdsk /r this will run through 5 steps let thess processes

6.To exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit.

7 Reboot and see what happens - I would suggest you run the above steps till no errors are reported from chkdsk as you seem to have a 40GB partition - it should not take that long - but that depends on the number of errors - just leave it running.. till finished ...

bambam69

Okay, have printed this out and will give it a try when I get in but I'm pretty sure that I am getting into the windows repair console correctly, it's definately loading up from the disk but it seems to get stuck before it gives any prompt. What can I do if this is the case?

GreenNotM

see post 15# ensure you are booting from CD - watch for prompts, as PC is booting - but if you get options to install - then that is the CD booting.

If chkdsk runs and returns no errors and Xp will still not load - do a repair install as per below -

Microsoft_Technet wrote:

How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
1.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
2.
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
3.
Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
4.
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
5.
Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
6.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

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

Ensure you press "r" at the correct stage ... HTH and .. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/

Microsoft_Technet wrote:

After you perform an in-place upgrade or repair installation, you must reinstall all updates to Windows. To reinstall Windows updates, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)

bambam69

I am getting to step 2 in the above but that is when I get the "examining 39206MB..." message and nothing else happens!

What now?

GreenNotM

Hi Bambam - is it a blue or black screen ? does it also say step 1 of 5 ?

bambam69

It's a blue screen with Windows XP written at the top, and it gives that line immediatley after I press R. The machine stops whirring and that's about it unless you reset. I have tried leaving it to see if it resolves itself but nothing happens.