Windows XP Won't boot

Hi guys. I'm having trouble with a Windows XP-equipped laptop. It won't boot at all. In normal mode, it freezes on the Windows XP loading page. Well I guess, technically, it doesn't "freeze" because the green bar continues to move, but it is very slow and jerky compared to how the green progress bar moves on a normally-functioning computer. And it just stays on this page, never progressing to the login page. When in safe mode, it freezes at the end of the black screen where its loading all of the devices. When the white text gets to the bootom of this page, everything just stops. I've tried using the Windows XP CD but this isn't working either. After I press "R" to repair in the recovery console, it freezes on the next page. At the top of the blue screen it says "Windows XP Home Edition Setup," and on the bottom it says "examining 95394 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi…" but it never does anything else. I just freezes. I've let it sit there for about a half an hour just in case it was doing something in the background and might progress eventually, but it's stuck. I've also tried a diagnostic test and I get a Fail at "Start DST Short Test" Error Code: 1000-0146 Msg: Unit 0:DST Log contains previous errors Anybody got any advice?

Hi

That doesn't sound good at all. When a machine fails the DST (Drive Self Test) it usually indicates
some sort of HD problem, and most likely its failing

But before we jumps to conclusions. You might want to take a look inside your case. Check for
loose cables, and make sure they are properly seated. Examine the plugs and cables for faults.

If you have a good friend with a working PC, you could try install your HD as a slave, and see if
you can access it. Be aware tho, that any actions right now, might make it falter completly, and
thus making it harder to retrieve any data you want off of it. Usually most PC workshops have
a data-recovery service. The prices for such a service tends to be rather steep. But if the data is
valueable for you (work, family photos etc.) it might be worth it. So check your local area, or
nearest big city for a PC workshop who offers this kind of service.

If you connect it to a friends machine, and gains access to your files. Have a external drive ready
for backup, or transfer them to your friends machine for later retrieval. Depending on the amount,
burning them to a CD / DVD will work as well.

Another option available, would be to try boot the machine with a Ubuntu Live CD.

Ubuntu Live CD

Backup your data immediatly if you can boot it via the Live CD.

Best wishes of luck with the project.

Regards Abydos

One possibility. Try booting to Safe Mode with Command prompt. Uses a lot less resources and may just work. If so, try

chkdsk /r

Let it complete undisturbed. This could take several hours so be patient. See if it finds any file system problems and if fixing them resolves the problem.

Hi, I agree with the other posters, your hard drive is failing. Also, it is a laptop, which probably doubles or triples the chances that your hard drive is failing. There's almost no doubt in my mind this is your problem. Therefore, I feel I must tell you that even turning the laptop on or powering the hard drive up in any other way is reducing the chances of you recovering ANY data off the hard drive and could ultimately prove fatal. If there is anything important on this hard drive, STOP, and seek professional help immediately. DO NOT attempt to recover data yourself. Or, proceed at your own risk.

One possibility. Try booting to Safe Mode with Command prompt. Uses a lot less resources and may just work. If so, try

chkdsk /r

Let it complete undisturbed. This could take several hours so be patient. See if it finds any file system problems and if fixing them resolves the problem.

Safe mode freezes too . Looks like I'll just have to get another hard drive. Thanks for the help anyway guys.

One possibility. Try booting to Safe Mode with Command prompt. Uses a lot less resources and may just work. If so, try

chkdsk /r

Let it complete undisturbed. This could take several hours so be patient. See if it finds any file system problems and if fixing them resolves the problem.

Safe mode freezes too . Looks like I'll just have to get another hard drive. Thanks for the help anyway guys.

Hi

Sorry to hear that.

If you take it to a PC workshop, and they can find the problem(s) not to be HD related,
could you please post their findings. More for my own curiosity than anything else

Anyways, hope you get to retrieve your data, as that is what is important.

Regards Abydos