Computer Crash?

[krnjm]

My daughter has a Dell laptop with Windows XP. She was on the internet doing normal stuff as usual when her laptop just completely shut down. She turned it back on and and got a black screen that says " Your computer unexpectedly shut down, etc." That screen stays for about 15 seconds, and then goes to a bright blue screen that says:

STOP: c0000218 Unknown hard error
unknown hard error

The laptop will start in safe mode though.

Can someone please help us figure out what happened and how to fix it?

Thanks!!
 

[iamtonsoffun247]

While in safe mode, did you try to do a system restore?

[krnjm]

How do you do a system restore in safe mode?....thanks!

[iamtonsoffun247]

go to start, all programs, accessories, system tools, system restore.  Restore to an earlier time from when this issue was happening.

[krnjm]

It won't allow her to do a system restore in safe mode. It says in oder to do that - start in normal mode.

[iamtonsoffun247]

*facepalm* Im sorry, i forgot that you cant do that in safe mode :X When it comes up to the black screen that you spoke of before, did she hit enter on "start windows normally?"

[JJ 3000]

Did you try last known good configuration?
How much free space is on the hard drive?
Have you tried disk cleanup and defrag?

[asivakumar]

please check run type:

%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

[Broni]

System Restore should work from Safe Mode, but that issue aside, we're probably dealing here with hardware problem.
Make sure all external devices are disconnected.
If laptop has more, than one RAM stick, try to start laptop with one RAM stick at a time.
Run memtest: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62524.html
Run HD diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

[krnjm]

Ok, This is me now (daughter with broken laptop).

Defrag wont work
When I try to enter with Last Known Good Configuration or Start Windows Normally, it just brings me to that blue STOP: screen

Broni: You helped me out a few months ago with spyware, I remember. Your great! Does this seem like a fixable problem? I sure hope so..I have so many irreplaceable pictures on it. And I need it for work...Ughh so frustrating!

[krnjm]

Also, I will run those 2 things..what should I do after that?

[Broni]

It doesn't matter.
If applicable, try this, first:

If laptop has more, than one RAM stick, try to start laptop with one RAM stick at a time.

[krnjm]

This might be a stupid question, But I have no idea about computer parts How do I know if I have more then one ram stick? Where are they at and how do I take them out?

[Broni]

Laptop brand, and model, please.

[krnjm]

It is a Dell Inspiron B130

I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to help me, it means a lot! I hope im not being a pain but, I have 2 more questions.

For the MEMTEST..Im confused about how burning an image onto a CD will help my computer?

And for the HD Diagnostic Which of these brands makes my hard drive?
Conner
Fujitsu
Hitachi
IBM
Maxtor
Quantum
Samsung
Seagate
Toshiba
Western Digital

Thanks Broni! Your the best!