Can't Find Operating System

[familymgrkendra]

I am posting this question for my mom. She went to go start her computer today and she now has a BLACK screen  upon start up that says "Can't find operating system" She tried her recovery disc and nothing happens. Just the BLACK screen with the above saying. They have an HP computer. Any advice or solution would be very much appreciated. THANKS in advance.

[Dell4700]

The possible problems are endless!

One of the first steps you can take is to use the recovery CD that came with the PC originally.  If you have the original setup instructions, you can follow that or you can go here to get it:  http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html
You will need to know the model of your computer.  It should be written on the case or maybe your folks know.  It is important that you follow the recovery procedures as they are listed.  If you follow the recovery procedure and it doesn't work, let us know which step failed.

If you need help with any of this, let us know.

Dell

[merlin_2]

Have you installed a new hardrive?

[Mac]

If the computer has a floppy drive, first find another XP computer, FULL format a floppy with the XP computer first of all (do not make a bootable floppy) and copy the (hidden) ntldr, ntdetect.com , and boot.ini files to the diskette.

If the computer has a standard boot.ini file it should look like one of these examples...

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

OR...

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

If you have installed the Recovery Console on your boot drive there will be an additional line...

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Put the floppy with the three files in the A: drive and start the computer. If the drive has not failed completely it should find the drive for you. (Maybe... )