Help! Laptop won't boot up!

longwalks1

Hi all
Was on my dell laptop earlier, it froze up so I left it for 10 mins, still nothing, tried ctrl/alt/delete to open program manager, still nothing so I pressed and held down the power button to tuen it off.
Turned it back on and was the black screen and was scrolling White text something like 'updating invalid security Id' or something like that, and the line number was increasing each time, it was scrolling and scrolling really fast now all there is is a flashing cursor??

Any help or suggestions please!!

longwalks1

Sorry meant to say 'checking invalid security id'

Figment

Sounds like you may have interrupted a Windows Update.

Try booting into safe mode then use System Restore to restore the laptop to an earlier date.

longwalks1

Thanks figment, but when I switch on it's just a cursor flashing, how do I boot in safe mode please?

Figment

Do you see the POST or splash screen?

Switch power on. Tap F8 key once per second and a menu should appear. Several options will include the words 'Safe mode'. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, move the highlighted bar down to 'Safe Mode With Networking' then press the Enter key.

longwalks1

As soon as I power on, there's a dell inspiron logo for about 3 seconds, with 2 options in bottom right hand corner, they are F2 and a command, and F12 and a command (ones set-up, other is reboot or something like that), then screen goes black and a single cursor flashes in top left hand corner of screen and that's it

Figment

Do you have a Windows installation DVD?

longwalks1

Hi again
Have just found my windows installation cd's, could someone please talk me through reloading (if that's what I need to do)

Also, will I lose everything saved on my laptop by reloading the install discs?
Thanks again

johnmc

Press F2 as it boots, that will take you to the BIOS. You are looking to change the boot order to CD first.

Put the boot CD in then accept the BIOS change and exit. It should now boot to the CD and give you the option to go into repair mode.

longwalks1

Thanks
Johnmc, I read somewhere that install discs that come with laptops don't have the 'repair' option on them? Only purchased discs do? Am scared of losing my documents

Figment

britishboy wrote: »

Thanks
Johnmc, I read somewhere that install discs that come with laptops don't have the 'repair' option on them? Only purchased discs do? Am scared of losing my documents

This depends on what disks were supplied. If Windows installation disks, then the repair option is (usually) included. If System Recovery (or words to that effect) then probably not)

PS I suggest you stick to one thread to avoid confusion.