[dlipps]

ok heres the problem i have a computer with windows xp pro on it and it wont start up. the only thing that it does when you start the computer up is go straight to a error screen which says system32\Driver\isapnpsys. ok i dont know what that is. and i dont have a copy of the xp pro and i was wonder if i format it will that help the problem or do i need to take it into a repair shop. which i dont really trust in this area. so does anyone out there know anything that i can do. I really need some help.

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Do not format the hard drive unless you have access to an XP Pro CD - see if you can borrow a same version one

An outside chance is this

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


Otherwise, run a repair install with a borrowed CD, using your product key, not the one from the borrowed CD

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

[Retired Tech]

Do not format the hard drive unless you have access to an XP Pro CD - see if you can borrow a same version one

An outside chance is this

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


Otherwise, run a repair install with a borrowed CD, using your product key, not the one from the borrowed CD

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

[dlipps]

Thanks for the info. I've tried to get it into safe mode but it keeps going back to the same screen saying insert disk and press r to repair on the open screen. I dont have a cd it didnt come with one when i got it and ive been trying to find one so that i can try to repair it that way. The only cd that i have is to my other camputer which is windows xp home and i know that wont work on it. i was wondering if there is a way that i can reformat the hard drive and go around the xp pro and install the home edition that i have on it. But i have tried the F8 for safe mode and nothing gets me past the error screen thats the first thing that i tried.

[Retired Tech]

Safe mode with command prompt is different, and might make a difference

An XP Pro product key is unlikely to work with an XP Home install

[dlipps]

ok i have the computer running im using it now and i can not get into the administrator account it says that the password is not right. so im having to use an account with limited access and i can not do anything on it except search the web. well anyway thats not the point. i was wondering how do i reset a password and no i do not have it on a disk or wrote down.

[ultimateslacker2]

You can try logging into the Administrator account in safe mode and changing it through the Control Panel.