Windows XP start up problem

Jimble

My computer is not starting.
It runs Windows XP and trys to start up with the windows logo and the moving bar but then suggests restarting in safe mode, but wont restart in any mode that it suggests. I have pressed F2 and that brings up various techie stuff I dont understand...help.

gaming_guy

sounds like its got a corrupt registry if it wont boot info safe mode.

Jimble

Thanks Gaming_Guy, how do i fix that???

Jimble

An error message with a blue background flashes up for about a half a second, so I cant read it, is there a key I can hold down to read the whole message.....aarggghh!:mad:

gorblimeyguvnor

Try this link from "How to access the Recovery Console" and
at the C:\Windows command prompt type chkdsk /r . Will take a while but may help.

Jimble

trouble is i cant even get to the C;/ prompt I hold down f8 on restart and it just gives me the same options - safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt (doesnt work), last known good configuration start windows normally.Starting in safe mode it gets as far as atisgkaf.sys, then briefly flashes an error message too fst to read, then restarts again.

Nikolai

When you use the recovery console you are actually booting from a CD (the windows XP installation one) and this is how you get to a C:\ prompt.
Have a look through gorblimeyguvnors link for how to start it.

gaming_guy

Jimble wrote: »

An error message with a blue background flashes up for about a half a second, so I cant read it, is there a key I can hold down to read the whole message.....aarggghh!:mad:

i had that once and it flashes up so quick.

i found out what the message said because i used bestpic on my phone's camera.

try running chkdsk /r from the recovery console. that fixed the error on one of my compters

coolhandjase

If your PC came with an install/recovery CD then this may be bootable, enabling you to boot to the XP recovery console and check the hard drive for errors, as per previous threads.

gorblimeyguvnor

This http://www.whitecanyon.com/how-to-change-boot-order.php is a fairly clear guide to changing the boot order of your pc so the cd is first device. Just ignore the bit about wipedrive and have your xp disc in the drive when you boot up. Some pcs have a function key you can press to choose first boot device instead of going through this process but this will work.

Jimble

Can I do this without the bootdisk CD_ROM? Mine has gone AWOL.:o