my laptop e442 will not boot up

[sheleena3]

hello

i hope someone can please help
my teenage boys have had my laptop, i go to switch it on and i get windows can not install please restart to continue
ive tried taking it to its last good configuration, nothing, it wont allow me to use safe mode
i dont have a restore disc can anybody please help me get my laptop up and running

[Linux711]

it wont allow me to use safe mode

What happens when you attempt to use it?

i go to switch it on and i get windows can not install please restart to continue

Um. Never seen that error and it doesn't even make sense because you are just trying to boot it up, not install anything. Am I correct?

[truenorth]

I am confused,given that it won't start how are you attempting to do this "ive tried taking it to its last good configuration, ".Also what is the operating system. I know that it may prove fruitless but talk to the boys and try to determine what it was that they were last doing on the computer (as detailed as possible) when they encountered an error or crash or whatever. That may help point us in a defined direction.truenorth

[PrettyFlyforaWiFi2]

Hey; can you try hitting F8 for me when the computer starts. This is called safe mode and it runs the computer using it most basic systems. (like starting the engine of a car with out the frame or electrics)  if this does not work what does it do when you try this?

Please make sure there is no disc in the cd drive i know it sounds silly but you never know.

Can you list computer type the exact error message perlease 

[Linux711]

Hey; can you try hitting F8 for me when the computer starts.

ive tried taking it to its last good configuration

He must know how to get to that menu because that is one of the options on it.

[PrettyFlyforaWiFi2]

Suck my thumb son 
Don't worry about me, lets try and get this sorted for her.

[patio]

For someone new your not exactly making a good 1st impression...

Keep in mind we are all Volunteers and there are those that have been here a tad bit longer than when you arrived...

[sheleena3]

i appologise for being misleading
i will explain again

it switches on and goes through the booting up process then a grey box with a red cross comes up saying "windows can not complete the installation please restart"
this i do and it does the same thing over and over
ive tried to boot it in safe mode it just says the same thing
ive tried configuring it to its last good configuration to start ...nothing
im using the F keys to get to these options as obvisously i cant get any futher
i cannot find the option to restore the whole thing back to factory either
im really stuck
any help would be greatly appreciated

many thanks x

[sheleena3]

the only thing i can think of is that its got a virus or they have wiped something clean off and im not that computer literate to understand how to put it right

many thanks x

[patio]

3 things:

What version of Windows ?
Do you have a Windows CD ?
If a factory restore is done you will lose all your data...is this an option ? ?

[sheleena3]

hello

its running on windows 7
i have no CD for it i never backed one up even tho it was asking me to do so
if factory restore is done its fine to loose all data as i do have it all stored

many thanks x