How can I get windows working again

-TangleFoot-

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Yes, you really need 512MB as a minimum nowadays...

When XP turned up in 2001 my first self-build already had 512MB in it and if memory serves I upgraded to 1GB+ around the time SP2 was released. I wouldn't countenance using anything less, especially now.

Simplistik

Ainsley1 wrote: »

Could lack of memory be the issue ( quite small really about 250MB ram and only 40Gb drive - but half free I think).

Just to put the other point of view..


i ran XP Pro for years on just 128MB RDRAM (yeah, really!)

It really depends what you're going to be using the machine for.
This machine was only really used for basic surfing and email and in all honesty it was almost as fast as my Windows7 for that.
I still have that machine, but its got 512MB these days..

Trying to run a few videos or other more memory intensive work was a struggle with 128MB, as the Pagefile was then used extensively and it did thrash the drive a bit.



But to the OP, the amount of RAM is definitely not your problem, but it would be a good idea just to 'lift' them out of their sockets and re-seat them,



Another thought,

on the Hiren bootdisk menu, just below 'Mini XP', there is an option to select 'NTLDR is Missing'
Although you aren't actually getting that error, the symptoms are similar.



also a similar option with explanations over here


http://www.tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm

Ainsley1

Thanks guys for the continued help and advice. Haven't made any more progress yet owing to family duties but hope to get back on the case shortly, perhaps this evening!

Ainsley1

At last a decision made and we will be basically starting from scratch! (New [bigger] drive, more memory, new OS reload software/data etc.)

I thank all contributors to have tried to help but (probably owing to my in-expertise and the order in which I tried fixes) all attempts to 'repair' etc. failed.

closed

Is the hard disk full - by the time you've bought all that £200?, you're on your way to the price of a new machine.

Did you reinstall XP from disk or factory restore partition?

TakeThis

160GB HDD £22.90
80GB £16.50

RAM £20 for 2 x 512MB.

Spending more would be mad. Hope you can get a refund if you have spent more.

TakeThis

If you need a name brand HDD; Western Digital Caviar WD1600AABB 160GB 7200 RPM 2MB Cache IDE £27.90

robmar0se

closed wrote: »

Is the hard disk full - by the time you've bought all that £200?, you're on your way to the price of a new machine.

Same thought occurred to me. PB imedia 3055 is about 7 years old? PB's are not the best, being the cheaper end of PCWorld's range, hence probably under sped'ed originally.

The cost of parts, the risk, and often times hassle in finding the right drivers for these old PB models would err me to think about retiring the machine.

But I respect that's your decision.

TakeThis

robmar0se wrote: »

Same thought occurred to me. PB imedia 3055 is about 7 years old? PB's are not the best, being the cheaper end of PCWorld's range, hence probably under sped'ed originally.

The cost of parts, the risk, and often times hassle in finding the right drivers for these old PB models would err me to think about retiring the machine.

But I respect that's your decision.

He already has the Driver disc and I definitely think that it's worth spending £40 or so. £100? No way.

closed

depends what new os reload means, a new os ie Windows 7 purchase, or xp (which is already on and can be done without upgrading hardware)