XP keeps looping...won't boot

[Allan]

Borrow a copy of XP (same version you have installed). Boot to it and choose the FIRST repair option (press R) - that will take you to the recovery console. Once there, run chkdsk /r - let's see if that helps.

[karolk]

Hmmmm...anyplace I can "borrow" a copy?  Everyone I asked, their pc came already pre-loaded.  Is there anyplace on the internet?

[Allan]

You can download a recovery console .iso and burn it to cd, then boot to it: http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=150212

[Computer_Commando]

I just put in the recovery disc to run the test and I got an error message "Short Self Test Failed"  HD521-2W

I think this means the hard drive has failed.

[Allan]

I didn't see that, and am not sure if it refers to the HD or ram. Still, I'd run chkdsk /r as suggest above and if that finishes with no unrecoverable errors you can download and run a memory testing utility (ie, memtest).

[karolk]

I am such a stoog....I went to the link but am unsure how to use it??

[Allan]

1) Click on this link to download the Recovery Console .iso: http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso
2) Burn the .iso image to a cd using a utility to burn .iso images (pick one: http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/nero-iso-free.html)
3) Make sure the cd drive is the first boot item in your bios
4) Insert the cd you just created and boot to it
5) Once in the recovery console run chkdsk /r. It will take a while - let it finish. Make note of what it says when it finishes and tell us
6) After it completes reboot and report back.

[karolk]

Got a message that reads "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."

[Allan]

WOW - that was fast. You need to replace the HD

[karolk]

Is all lost?

[patio]

Possibly...
But you can try hooking it up as a slave drive in a working machine and see if it will run long enough to grab your data...

Slave Drive Tutorial...complete with pics

[Geek-9pm]

His HP is a desktop. I has a 250GB SATA Hard Drive. He can get another Hard drive and place in in the machine. Put it on hte first SATA, moe old one to second SATA. Thne use the recovery CD to get a fresh copy of Windows on the new drive.

Once he gets up and running with the new drive, he can simply copy over all the personal data he has, music, photos, videos and documents. But some programs have to be installed again.

[karolk]

Hi patio and Geek...btw..."he" is a "she"!  lol   Anyway, sounds like something more than I can handle.  I guess I will have to break down and take it somewhere.

[patio]

Karol...actually if you know someone who has worked on PC's it's not that hard to swap a SATA drive into another machine and copy/burn all the data...

Perhaps you know someone who could assist...best way to learn.

Just make sure to explain to them you do NOT want to be able to boot to the drive ...only get the Data...

[samnang]

If u have CDXP, try with recovery console by using command:
1.Recovery Console.  If you have an "installation" CD (not restore/recovery discs), you should check the integrity of the file system.

Boot to "Recovery Console" from the Windows XP Install CD.  When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press <R> key to start the Recovery Console.

You'll be asked to enter the "number" of the Windows installation you wish to repair (usually "1"), then the "Administrator" password, if one was set.  If you never assigned a password, just hit <Enter> key.

Use the "chkdsk" command to verify the integrity of your file system and automatically attempt to fix errors found.  Use the following syntax: "chkdsk /p /r".    If you've followed the instructions, you don't need to enter a drive letter because you should be on the correct volume.

Depending upon the size of your partition, these checks could take a long time.  Let them run to completion without interruption.  The chkdsk utility was not designed to be interrupted - so don't.  Doing so might corrupt the file system.

The "exit" command is used to quit Recovery Console and
2.fixboot

if not ok try repair your windows with your CDXP.