Have a mini notebook running Windows XP. Windows won't boot. When you try, you see the Windows logo, then it all goes black. When you try the last known good configuration option, it starts with the windows logo, then I very quick blue screen, too fast to read, then it goes black. In safe mode, it goes as far as running through the files in the system 32 folder and it hangs up there.
User was deleting files before the problem started, so maybe some system files have been deleted. I can get into the setup and boot options, and I booted Knoppix from a flash drive and that seems to run fine. Can Windows be repaired? This is a relatively new mini notebook, even though it came with XP. It does not have a CD drive, so there is no Windows CD-ROM.
Hi Jaclyn,
Sorry to hear of the problems with the mini notebook.
Sometimes folks do delete stuff that they shouldn't and as you know it can cause big trouble.
I always tell my customers that its usually OK to delete files that they have created themselves…Word docs for example, but to leave any other files created or belonging to Windows alone!
If the user's back up is not 100% up to date, accurate, comprehensive, reproducible and kept safe on removable media, then it would be wise to back up any thing that needs it using Linux (if you are happy with doing it that way).
To repair the installation:
1 its best to use an external (USB) CD/DVD drive (if the user hasn't got one then borrow one from a chum, or as a last resort buy one… they are only about £20 or so and can be jolly useful for all sort of tasks, not just repairing Windows.
2 If the user doesn't have a Microsoft Installation disc then here again it's best to borrow one from a chum (make sure its the same version …Home Edition or Professional)
3 Boot into the Recovery Console (adjust boot priority in the BIOS to boot first into USB CD drive and then Hard drive) and at the C prompt run chkdsk with the r switch. here is the actual command:
chkdsk /r
Note the space, it needs to be there.
Post back if you need detailed instructions on this.
Chkdsk will reboot after its done and post back if there is an improvement and the machine will now boot into Windows
Regards
paws
