[Yeahsick]

Hi,

My sister's laptop does not boot. I have tried using the F8 menu but "Last Known Good configuration" does not work.

Safe mode does not work either, all it does is fill the screen with locations starting with "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\drivers" and then stops.

What can I do to start it up?

Help is really appreciated.

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1. If you have Windows CD, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp

2. If you don't have Windows CD...
Download Windows Recovery Console: http://www.thecomput...om/files/rc.iso
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.c...hp?act=download
Using Imgburn, burn rc.iso to a CD.
Boot to the CD...let it finish loading.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Then, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp, starting below this picture on page 1:

[Broni]

1. If you have Windows CD, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp

2. If you don't have Windows CD...
Download Windows Recovery Console: http://www.thecomput...om/files/rc.iso
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.c...hp?act=download
Using Imgburn, burn rc.iso to a CD.
Boot to the CD...let it finish loading.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Then, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp, starting below this picture on page 1:

[Yeahsick]

Thanks for answering.

It was working so far until I get to the part where it says to choose a valid installation. It doesn't ask me to choose one, it only says

"Microsoft windows xp recovery console.

the recovery console provides....

type exit to quit the recovery console and restart the computer."

and then it has the "C:\>" at the bottom.

Any suggestions?

[Broni]

Are you talking about this screen?



Anything missing from the screen?

[Yeahsick]

Yes, it only has the top part, ending with "Type exit to quit the recovery console and restart the computer."

But then it gives a "C:\>"

[Broni]

At C:\> type dir, hit Enter.
What are the results?

[Yeahsick]

It says.

"directory of C:\

An error occurred during directory enumeration."

[Broni]

Are you using Windows CD, or Recovery Console CD?

[Yeahsick]

I am using Windows CD.

[Broni]

See, if at C:\> prompt, it'll let you run:
chkdsk /p /r

[Yeahsick]

It says,

"chkdsk is checking the volume...
chkdsk is performing additional checking or recovery...
chkdsk is performing additional checking or recovery...
chkdsk is performing additional checking or recovery...
50% completed.
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."

This does not sound good at all.

[Broni]

Don't rush anything. Be patient.
Sometimes, chkdsk may take overnight.
At least we're getting to some conclusions.

[Yeahsick]

I think it just stopped at 50% because it isn't going any higher and it gives me the C:\> again.

[Broni]

It looks like we have hard drive problem.
If there is any important data there, I'd suggest buying hard drive enclosure, designated for laptop hard drives, hook up the enclosure to any working computer, and try to recover data.
If data is not important, try HD manufacturer diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287

[Yeahsick]

Well thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.