Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3  All   Go Down

Author Topic: XP keeps looping...won't boot  (Read 12770 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

karolk

    Topic Starter


    Rookie

    XP keeps looping...won't boot
    « on: January 03, 2010, 12:33:33 PM »
    HP Pavillion a1520n/XP Media Center Edition 2005

    PC seemed to work fine yesterday. Son said it "froze" last night so he shut it down by holding in the power button. Today when I tried to boot it, it takes me to a black screen that says "we apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully....." When I try to start it normally, it just goes through some processes and then comes back to the same window. When I choose "safe mode" it runs through some processes and comes back to the same window.

    Please help!

    Thanks, Karol
    Logged

    sagebrush



      Beginner

      Thanked: 3
      Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
      « Reply #1 on: January 03, 2010, 01:00:36 PM »
      Do you have a current back up???
      Logged
      Sage

      karolk

        Topic Starter


        Rookie

        Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
        « Reply #2 on: January 03, 2010, 01:03:28 PM »
        Unfortunately...not!
        Logged

        sagebrush



          Beginner

          Thanked: 3
          Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
          « Reply #3 on: January 03, 2010, 01:08:04 PM »
          How about an XP install disk?
          Logged
          Sage

          karolk

            Topic Starter


            Rookie

            Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
            « Reply #4 on: January 03, 2010, 01:24:23 PM »
            I have the recovery disks (that I made) but don't want to do a reformat
            Logged

            prosportal



              Beginner

              Thanked: 5
              Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
              « Reply #5 on: January 03, 2010, 03:13:13 PM »
              Unfortunately, most restore disks are equipped with a .SIF file which tells windows how to install. Auto partitioning and formatting is generally included as well. If you can manage to find a clean install disk, you can dual partition, yet retain your old files.

              You may also download Linux Ubuntu from another PC and use the live OS from disk to retreive your files.
              Logged

              karolk

                Topic Starter


                Rookie

                Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                « Reply #6 on: January 03, 2010, 03:21:42 PM »
                I have NOOO idea how to do any of that!  I would need step by step instructions.  I do have access to a second pc...but it runs vista, not xp media.
                Logged

                prosportal



                  Beginner

                  Thanked: 5
                  Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                  « Reply #7 on: January 03, 2010, 03:32:22 PM »
                  You may be better off having a computer savy friend help you out, but here's the nitty gritty

                  Reinstall Windows Without Losing Data

                  Recovering Files with Ubuntu

                  Logged

                  sagebrush



                    Beginner

                    Thanked: 3
                    Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                    « Reply #8 on: January 03, 2010, 03:51:53 PM »
                    If you don't have a windows install disk choice 1 won't help. Use choice 2 to recover any data you didn't have backed that you can afford to lose. All idea's I had involved an installation disk.
                    Logged
                    Sage

                    karolk

                      Topic Starter


                      Rookie

                      Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                      « Reply #9 on: January 03, 2010, 04:55:20 PM »
                      Unfortunately...I don't want to lose ANY data!  I have about 2000 Itunes songs....ughhhh!
                      Logged

                      karolk

                        Topic Starter


                        Rookie

                        Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                        « Reply #10 on: January 03, 2010, 05:18:01 PM »
                        Quote from: sagebrush on January 03, 2010, 03:51:53 PM
                        If you don't have a windows install disk choice 1 won't help. Use choice 2 to recover any data you didn't have backed that you can afford to lose. All idea's I had involved an installation disk.

                        HP does not supply the install disks...just give you the option of making your own recovery disks.
                        Logged

                        karolk

                          Topic Starter


                          Rookie

                          Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                          « Reply #11 on: January 03, 2010, 06:50:08 PM »
                          If I do an HP Recovery, I will lose all of my data, correct?  Are there any other options? 
                          Logged

                          sagebrush



                            Beginner

                            Thanked: 3
                            Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                            « Reply #12 on: January 03, 2010, 06:57:02 PM »
                            Quote from: karolk on January 03, 2010, 06:50:08 PM
                            If I do an HP Recovery, I will lose all of my data, correct?  Are there any other options? 
                            Yes that will take it back to factory settings
                            Option
                            Recovery files using Ubuntu listsd above. This one I've used on my daughters un backup computer to recover her My Documents and address books.
                            Logged
                            Sage

                            karolk

                              Topic Starter


                              Rookie

                              Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                              « Reply #13 on: January 03, 2010, 07:02:33 PM »
                              I just put in the recovery disc to run the test and I got an error message "Short Self Test Failed"  HD521-2W
                              Logged

                              prosportal



                                Beginner

                                Thanked: 5
                                Re: XP keeps looping...won't boot
                                « Reply #14 on: January 03, 2010, 07:22:36 PM »
                                The Ubuntu solution will allow you to recover your iTunes, along with any documents, videos, pictures, or other media.
                                Logged
                                Pages: [1] 2 3  All   Go Up
                                « previous next »