[sbwsfo]

I use Windows XP. Everything was working fine. No new programs or hardware were installed. I use virus scan and spam filter. I was working when an update to windows popped up and it installed. I proceeded to work, then closed down. When I tried to get on the next time, I got the usual windows XP screen with the blue light going back and forth. But it won't get pass the plain blue screen.

I unplugged the system, tried F8 to safe mode, last good configuration but neither works. Should I try to use my drivers CD? I don't want to put the OS on until I can figure a way to get some docs off of the system.

Can anyone help in ways to get safe mode to work or to copy my documents to disk then I can do a reinstall of OS. Thanks for any help.

sbwsfo

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Items in blue which are underlined are clickable to give more information about the process

Start the System Restore Utility at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and keep tapping F8 during the initial start-up until you get options, select Safe Mode with a Command Prompt then press enter.

2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.

3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Look for the most recent system checkpoint created before the errors to restore from

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click 315222 to see a description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP

[Retired Tech]

Items in blue which are underlined are clickable to give more information about the process

Start the System Restore Utility at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and keep tapping F8 during the initial start-up until you get options, select Safe Mode with a Command Prompt then press enter.

2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.

3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Look for the most recent system checkpoint created before the errors to restore from

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click 315222 to see a description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP

[sbwsfo]

When I hit enter with command prompt I get a page of listings of partitions and window drivers and I can't go further.

[Retired Tech]

After it whizzes through, does it stop with a flashing cursor

[sbwsfo]

NO. I don't get any error message either.

[Retired Tech]

Have you got an XP CD, not a recovery CD

[sbwsfo]

How and should I try using my drivers disk to perhaps get my old drivers back? How exactly would I do this?

I have an operating system windows xp-home edition cd version 1.0 to reinstall the OS as well as a drivers cd

Edited by sbwsfo, 23 February 2007 - 09:27 PM.

[Retired Tech]

You won't do anything until you can get windows to load, an XP CD would help

[Retired Tech]

See if you can run this

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the power button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[sbwsfo]

I have a windows xp home edition cd version 1 to be used to reinstall the OS. Can this be used and still be able to "save" my documents?

[Retired Tech]

Anything like this

http://download.micr..._XP_FULL_CD.jpg

[sbwsfo]

No it says use it to reinstall your operating system. I bought the computer with windows xp home already installed.

Edited by sbwsfo, 23 February 2007 - 09:42 PM.

[Retired Tech]

Which make is the PC

[sbwsfo]

It is a Gateway 700xl Pentium 4 2.8ghz

[Retired Tech]

They have a live chat option

https://support.gate..._us_gw_tech.asp

Be sure that they are aware you need data on the drive