MY Laptop need emergency help

[MohanaK]

Every time i switch my laptop on it goes to a screen which gives me options these options are

Start windows normally
Start windows in safe mode
Safe mode with Internet
Start with the last good configuration. 

I have tried all of these and they all lead me to the windows XP screen and just a few seconds later it goes on a blue screen that shows a message but you cannot read the message because the blue screen comes and goes really fast, and when it goes my laptop restarts.

please help. 

[Richenstony]

If im mistaken is it possible can this be the blue screen of death.......

You must of got a little view of it.....

Have you tried booting in safe mode....

Tony

did it look anything like this...

[MohanaK]

Thanks for your reply Tony

Well.. i have tried it on safe mode but still the same thing happens

and yes it does go to a blue screen. 

But.. the blue screen it goes so fast i cannot see it what it says...

and my pc restarts every time the  the blue screen comes up.

[Dusty]

Seems like a hardware problem, Ram or hdd.  What laptop and specs please, is a floppy installed?

[Richenstony]

At present im going to be straight with you ..... i don't know what to suggest i don't know the error if i new that i might have something to go .... i would wait for the main man dusty to reply he knows a thing or to

Tony

But don't worry im sure someone is gonna help you out as much as they can A great bunch of people on this site

[MohanaK]

Thanks Tony

The Laptop Specs are:

CPU: VIA C3 Processor 1.2GHz

HDD: 40GB

LCD: 14.1" XGA

Optical: DVD -ROM/CD-RW

Battery: Li-lon (4 cells)

O/S: Microsoft Windoes XP Home edition with SP2

Oh.. and there is no Floppy Drive installed.

[MohanaK]

Um.. anyone here?

[Richenstony]

Um.. anyone here?

Thats a good way people wont come and help you be patient ....

Tony

[MohanaK]

Sorry.. 

[Richenstony]

ok ive got a theory ..Could be the CMOS (BIOS) battery is gone or a hard drive that's went to bit-bucket heaven. Leave it on for several minutes and see if any error messages are displayed.

Tony

Try this:

You can download a simple MS-DOS Boot disc http://www.bootdisk.com/

Turn Laptop off.
Insert Bootdisk
Turn PC back on and you should get MS-DOS message and A:\ Prompt.
I all is OK. Type SYS C and press enter.
remove diskette and turn off.
Turn Laptop back on and it should now boot to the C:\ Prompt.


Read the notes on the Bootdisk Project page on how to create a bootdisk.

[MohanaK]

Okay.. ill do that.

[MohanaK]

Ive just left the pc on for a few mins but it goes to the screen with all the options:
Start windows with safe mode etc.

But there like a 30 sec countdown that automatically 'Starts Windows' and it just keeps restarting

[MohanaK]

Okay.. now im about to try your second idea


and thanx for everything even if it doesnt work

[MohanaK]

Um. ive downloaded the Boot disc but it says

Please specify a floppy drive to copy the images to:

But my laptop doesnt have a floppy drive.

[Dusty]

You can download a simple MS-DOS Boot disc http://www.bootdisk.com/

Turn Laptop off.
Insert Bootdisk
Turn PC back on and you should get MS-DOS message and A:\ Prompt.
I all is OK. Type SYS C and press enter.
remove diskette and turn off.
Turn Laptop back on and it should now boot to the C:\ Prompt.

Am confused - see the laptop specs, a floppy drive is not installed...

MohanaK - do you have any diagnostic cd's?   If not I suggest you download the Ultimate Boot CD from here.  When your pc is booted from this disk you can run hardware tests such as Memtest86 (RAM test) and the appropriate diagnostics for your hdd, depends on manufacturer.

[Richenstony]

That doest help , theres a link on there to make a C-D have a hunt round....


Tony

[MohanaK]

Thanks Dusty i will try that now.

[MohanaK]

Im not sure of this pc had a disc re-writer..

so im using the usb stick method.. if thats okay

if it isnt then ill try the cd way.

[Dusty]

I doubt very much if your laptop can boot from a usb stick - may be wrong - but I understood what is downloaded is an iso file which needs to be burnt to cd.

I always recommend that pc users pre-plan for "disasters" and have a recovery toolkit available.  This toolkit would contain such things as the Ultimate Boot CD, NTFS4Dos, boot floppy disk, OS cd, and some others, so that when the disaster struck recovery tools would be available immediately.  Much like the toolkit in your auto, would you wait for a flat on the freeway before sourcing a spare tire and a wheel wrench?

Anyway, that's just my theory.   If you have major problems with downloading/burning the UBCD it is available for purchase very cheap (about US$10-15 delivered).  See the link on the UBCD site.

Now I must go to work so will check back with you tomorrow.

Good luck

[WillyW]

...

But.. the blue screen it goes so fast i cannot see it what it says...

and my pc restarts every time the  the blue screen comes up.

This won't help your current situation,  but it might be worth noting for the future:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000605.htm

Be sure to notice the parts with this:

...

   5. In the Startup and Recovery window uncheck the Automatically restart   
         check box.
   6. Click Ok.

Now if the computer generates and error it should not automatically restart and enable you to display any errors your computer may be experiencing.