Computer not booting

[firebowl58]

I have an E Machine with an AMD processor and all of a sudden it won't boot up. It starts to boot and then goes to the safe mode screen with several options. When you enter the safe mode option a screen pops up with numerous lines referencing drivers. When I enter any of the other options it tries to load and then comes back to the same screen. We do not have a boot disc to try. What options and/or what problems might I have? Thanks in advance for your help. I have used you guys before and you have been very helpful.

[truenorth]

firebowl58,What if anything have you added or changed to this computer immediately prior to this occurrence?truenorth

[firebowl58]

There were no changes or additions prior to this happening. A friend was using the computer, shut the computer off for a while then went back to try to get back on and it wouldn't boot up.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Use the F8 function key during system startup to access the Windows Advanced Options menu.  Tap the F8 key once or twice per second as you startup the computer (or immediately after POST completes and screen flashes black prior to displaying Windows XP logo with its processing bar display).

When the Windows Advanced Options menu comes up, first try the "Last known good configuration" option.  Select it by using up/down arrows followed by Enter key.

If that doesn't work, and startup process keeps cycling around to Safe Mode options; use F8 as before, but this time when Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select "Disable automatic restart on system failure".

If it stops on a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), post back with the "exact" error message text/numbers and any module name it fingers as probable culprit.

2.  During your previous Safe Mode attempts,  did you let the boot finish?  It could take a couple minutes. 

The display of drivers during Safe Mode boot is normal.  Were there any error messages or did it just "hang" and never complete the boot?

[firebowl58]

I tried the F8 procedure to no avail. Now, the message DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER comes up and it goes no further. I have no boot disk for this computer, however, I have another computer which I could download a boot disk to a CD-R. Let me know if I can download such a disc and where to get it. Thanks again for your help!!

[truenorth]

firebowl58, Sometimes we tend to overlook the basics. Is it possible there was a floppy or an non bootable CD left in the computer when it was last shut down? This is often a cause of the fault you are experiencing.truenorth

[firebowl58]

I am not aware of any CD left in the computer. When they asked me to check it there was none.

[truenorth]

Do you not have access to the computer now? You need to check and verify that there are NO floppies or cd's in any of the drives.truenorth

[firebowl58]

Yes I have access and there are no CD's or floppies in there.

[Allan]

Please check the bios to make sure your HD is listed in the boot order (in fact, for now I'd move it to the top of the list). If it is there and the system still won't boot, you'll need to get a copy of the OS install CD and do a repair install.

[firebowl58]

I checked the bios and placed the hard drive at the top of the list to no avail. Do you know where i can get an OS cd? Are there any available on-line that I can download on my other computer.

[Allan]

You can borrow one from a friend or co-worker or download the 6 floppy version from the web you use XP

[truenorth]

However if you are going to save your data with the O/S disk you will need to have the same version and the same service pack in order to do a "repair". Otherwise you will end up clearing your computer's HDD with a full install.truenorth

[dahlarbear]

1.  Slave Hard Drive.  If your data is important to you, slave the hard disk drive to a working computer and copy data to backup device.  Slave a Hard Drive

2.  Recovery Console.  If you have a suitable Windows XP CD (or have made the six volume Windows XP Setup floppies), you may boot to recovery console and attempt to use "chkdsk /p /r" to verify and correct file system and bad sector errors.  This can be a slow process.  Do not interrupt or abort it before it completes.  Upon successful completion, see if you can boot to Safe Mode.  Is so, see if you can boot to Normal Mode.  Recovery Console Commands

If recovery console permits you to successfully access "boot" volume and successfully run "chkdsk", but still not boot; you may have to repair the volume boot record and/or Master Boot Record (MBR).

If you use recovery console, let us know your status.

3.  Hard Drive Diagnostics.  Most hard drive manufacturers provide "free" downloadable diagnostic software for bootable floppy or CD.  Look for download link on their website.  Start with the nondestructive diagnostics to test the hard drive and its disk surfaces.  It's possible your hard drive has failed.  (Or your data cable needs to be reseated or replaced).

4.  Repair Install.  Or per ADG's advice, with the appropriate Windows XP CD, you may do a repair install.
 
5.  Current Status.  Upon system startup does it still go to "safe mode screen with several options"?

6.  Is your computer a desktop or laptop?  Did it come with a "Restore/Recovery CD"?  Did it come with a preinstalled "Recovery Partition" on the hard drive?