Restoring a XP Computer?

[chevyavalanche04]

Hello Everyone, I hope someone can help,

I recently was trying to fix my computer which just keeps restarting and I can't even get past the Windows XP screen before it restarts its self
and I recently bought a new Windows Vista disc to reformat the computer to Vista the comp. has 1GB of Ram and 300GB of hard drive,

and the boot from CD thing doesn't come up, and a friend told me to take the battery out of the computer (the watch battery) and left it out for a few
minutes and then put it back in and the comp was unplugged when I did it,

anyone know what I could do to fix this computer?

Thank You!

[piaaz]

Hey chevyavalanche04,

Now we know what kind of truck you are driving just kidding

If someone told you to remove the battery because you can install Windows Vista then I would say that's completely miss guided information.

Generally boot order for the computers are set to start with hard drive and then CD Rom or DVD drive.....first you have to make sure that your computer is setup to boot from the DVD ROM, for that you need to go to BIOS and change the boot sequence.....perhaps in your case this would do the trick. Please note that Windows Vista are shipped in DVD format so if you have a CD player in your computer then you will have problem......DVD players are around $25 from most computer store.

Hope this helps.


Cheers

[chevyavalanche04]

thanks for the fast reply, where could I change the BISO?

and yes it has a DVD drive in it,
this is my first computer to try to fix and this one was built for us so it is not a dell or HP, but has name brand goods in it,

Thank You for any help!

[chevyavalanche04]

after viewing other posts,
 I've tried to do the F8 when it restarts but every option I try it goes to the Windows XP plus the scrolling bar thing, then restarts automatically

[mcxeb52!]

have you tried booting to the bios and changing the settings like already mentioned so that cd can be read first before the hard disk?

[Broni]

where could I change the BISO?

BIOS, that is.
When your computer starts, you'll briefly see, at the bottom of the screen, something like:

Press "some key" to enter setup

Press "some key", and you'll enter BIOS. Find "boot order" there.
Make sure, it reads:
- floppy (if you have one)
- CD
- hard drive

Also:
What information should I add when submitting a question?

[chevyavalanche04]

I don't see anything when it starts up for pressing any key, I've seen that on another computer but not this one,

this computer had gotten a virus I think and now all it does is goes to the start windows in safe mode or normal mode
then you select either one and it restarts its self,

Thank You for the help,

[Broni]

and the boot from CD thing doesn't come up

How did you install Vista, then?

[chevyavalanche04]

I didn't put vista on, thats what I'm trying to do is get the computer reformated because I can't do anything not even booting off a disc will work because it isn't reading the disc I think is whats wrong maybe the computer isn't responding to the DVD drive?

[Broni]

At this point, I'm out of options. Either someone else will chime in, or I'll get some new idea....

[chevyavalanche04]

ok I got it to disable from restarting and at where it would normally restart on its own here is the message.

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed
if this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer
for any windows updates you might need.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and I haven't installed anything new in a while on that computer,

could that be the virus?
and is it fixable?

thanks!

and also, does taking the battery out actually do anything at all?

just a question not something I'd do again just wondered

[Broni]

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME error indicates system files messed up, most likely boot.ini, but I'm not sure hwo to fix it, since you ccan't boot to anything.
You took battery out already once, so I see no reason to do it again.
Did you try to boot to Vista DVD again. Is it legit DVD?

[chevyavalanche04]

yes, its a geniune vista disc bought it last year to put on this computer that I am fixing, I had taken the battery out already left it out and just put it back in and now the computer is actually letting me do the reformat process

so it might be ok now will post if not

thanks

[Broni]

Great news!!
So, did you actually take battery out before, or just now for the first time?

[chevyavalanche04]

I had taken the battery out before for about 2 minutes and this last time of taking it out I left it out for about 1 hour and now I have Vista running and its good speed to run internet, now I just have to put the Windows Live One on it and it should be set for a few more years I hope,

Thank You everyone for the help!