Windows won't start up.

elsien

(This is a bit of a post and run in the hope that there'll be some suggestions when I've got more time to try things out later. I'm also non-techie, so please start from the viewpoint that I need the blindingly obvious spelling out for me.)


I have an aging desktop computer which is probably well past its prime and which has windows xp on it. When I turn it on, I get the black screen with the writing about detecting IDE drives etc, windows goes to start up, gets as far as the welcome screen then the computer makes a clicky noise and jumps back to the black screen again, and so it goes on. The computer is a cheap iQon things from Tesco about 10 years ago if that makes any difference to anything and it is highly likely to have clogged up innards from lots of dust escaping when the bathroom ceiling came down a while back. I've been scared to open it to declog it in case I broke it but I guess I now don't have much to lose.
What do you suggest? Most stuff on it is backed up onto a hard drive so it's not a major disaster, just not financially great timing for buying a new one.
Thanks in advance.

grumpycrab

elsien wrote: »

(I get the black screen with the writing about detecting IDE drives etc,

If you see your disk listed here that's a GOOD thing

elsien wrote: »

then the computer makes a clicky noise and jumps back to the black screen again, and so it goes on.

But the "clicky noise" isn't so good. Disk could be on its way out.
You need to try a windows repair...
http://simplyguides.net/guides/repair_installation_xp/repair_installation_xp.shtml

Ebola

If its just your hard drive (which its sounds like it is) then just buy a new hard drive, no need to buy a new PC if the present work was doing the job required. You've got a back up which is the number one thing to have so all you have to do is remove the old hard drive and install the new and then install Windows. If stuck just go to youtube and watch a video on how to replacea drive etc

Good luck

elsien

grumpycrab wrote: »

You need to try a windows repair...
http://simplyguides.net/guides/repair_installation_xp/repair_installation_xp.shtml

It came preloaded with windows and doesn't have an installation disc, so I guess that one's out.

Ebola, the computer was already running really slowly anyway, so would the new hard drive help with that? Plus presumably I'd also need to buy windows again to reinstall?

NiftyDigits

New HDD £7

You can use a standard XP Home OEM disc in conjunction with your Product Key.
If that doesn't work for you, I'll look into my archives for the recovery disc. I'm on holiday at the mo.

elsien

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You can use a standard XP Home OEM disc in conjunction with your Product Key.
.

Sorry, not entirely sure what that means, but if its info that should have come with the original computer I don't seem to have it though I usually keep everything.

antrosa

Your hard drive needs replacing. You might be able to install windows xp and get all the drivers installed by a computer geek in a small independent shop for about £80. Good luck.

NiftyDigits

elsien wrote: »

Sorry, not entirely sure what that means, but if its info that should have come with the original computer I don't seem to have it though I usually keep everything.

Did you order the hard drive? Do you have the ability to burn to CD? In other words, do you have access to another PC whilst yours is out of action?

Jivesinger

NiftyDigits wrote: »

New HDD £7

Hi Nifty,
Did you mean that link to go where it does?

NiftyDigits

Jivesinger wrote: »

Hi Nifty,
Did you mean that link to go where it does?

Fixed

Here again

emptybox

The fact that the computer boots up as far as the XP welcome screen, shows that the hard drive is still working to some extent at least.
Have you tried to see if it can get any further in 'safe mode'?
Repeatedly press the F8 key as the computer is booting up, and choose any of the safe mode options.

Also, if you buy a new hard drive, you are going to have to open the case anyway, so you should open it up first and make sure all the fans are working and not clogged up.