[adrian3001]

Hi all

I am trying repair my mums pc that is/was running windows xp but recently she did a fresh install with a windows disc that I gave her. After the installation, during the updates the computer restarted, after this it would not boot so I told her to try another fresh install. She did this but the computer crashed as soon as the partition was formatted. I now have the computer and I have been trying to resolve the problem. The hard drive has no versions of windows on it so I obviously cant get it to boot and when i try to install windows I get the Stop 0x00000050 error message after I choose which partition to install on.

Are there any ways around this problem? I have checked the BIOS and the hard drive is shown/recognised there.

Any help is very appreciated.

[Advertisements]

Click HD diagnostic in my signature below. Choose the manufacturer of your hd. Download the tool. Running this will tell us if there is a problem with HD itself. If not then we will pursue other hardware or software possibilities


Let's check your memory and make sure there is no issue with it.Donwload memtest86 from the link in my signature below.


Get the file that is named Download - The one you want is "Download - Pre-compiled Bootable ISO (.zip). When it downloads, it will be labeled memtest86+2.11.iso.zip
Unzip the file once you download it. You should have a .iso file in the unzipped directory. It will look like a zip file in some cases but the file name will now be memtest86+2.11.iso

if you don't have a burning program that will burn .ISO files get burncdcc in my signature below.

NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. Start BurnCDCC
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its memtest86.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start

Make sure the bios is set for the cd drive as the first boot device
Put the cd in the cd drive and then boot your computer.

Running the Diagnostic Program:

The basic diagnostic screen has five main sections of relevant information. Three at the top which are labeled, PASS %, TEST %, and TEST #. This will basically show you the total progress of the current test, the overall progress of the diagnostic test, and the test number is currently performing.

On the middle left hand side of the of the program interface there is a “Wall Time” section that will keep track of how long the diagnostic test has been running for. This just gives you an idea if you are not attending the testing process.

The main section to look for is the lower half of the screen which is usually blank. As long as the memory testing is going ok with no errors this section of the screen should remain blank. If the diagnostic program finds any serious faults in the memory you will see it display a memory dump of address’s in this section. This is similar to what is displayed on your screen when you encounter a blue screen of death.

You now have most everything you need to know about setting up and testing your memory with diagnostic programs. This guide should help you get to the source of any intermittent problems related to your memory.


Run memtest for at least 2 hours
If it starts showing any errors during that time then you will have to replace the memory
If there are no errors after 2 hours press Esc and that will end the tests
We will then try other options

[rshaffer61]

Click HD diagnostic in my signature below. Choose the manufacturer of your hd. Download the tool. Running this will tell us if there is a problem with HD itself. If not then we will pursue other hardware or software possibilities


Let's check your memory and make sure there is no issue with it.Donwload memtest86 from the link in my signature below.


Get the file that is named Download - The one you want is "Download - Pre-compiled Bootable ISO (.zip). When it downloads, it will be labeled memtest86+2.11.iso.zip
Unzip the file once you download it. You should have a .iso file in the unzipped directory. It will look like a zip file in some cases but the file name will now be memtest86+2.11.iso

if you don't have a burning program that will burn .ISO files get burncdcc in my signature below.

NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. Start BurnCDCC
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its memtest86.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start

Make sure the bios is set for the cd drive as the first boot device
Put the cd in the cd drive and then boot your computer.

Running the Diagnostic Program:

The basic diagnostic screen has five main sections of relevant information. Three at the top which are labeled, PASS %, TEST %, and TEST #. This will basically show you the total progress of the current test, the overall progress of the diagnostic test, and the test number is currently performing.

On the middle left hand side of the of the program interface there is a “Wall Time” section that will keep track of how long the diagnostic test has been running for. This just gives you an idea if you are not attending the testing process.

The main section to look for is the lower half of the screen which is usually blank. As long as the memory testing is going ok with no errors this section of the screen should remain blank. If the diagnostic program finds any serious faults in the memory you will see it display a memory dump of address’s in this section. This is similar to what is displayed on your screen when you encounter a blue screen of death.

You now have most everything you need to know about setting up and testing your memory with diagnostic programs. This guide should help you get to the source of any intermittent problems related to your memory.


Run memtest for at least 2 hours
If it starts showing any errors during that time then you will have to replace the memory
If there are no errors after 2 hours press Esc and that will end the tests
We will then try other options

[adrian3001]

Hi I have done the memtest and it came up with absolutely loads of memory dumps in the red screen at the bottom. Does this mean the HD needs replacing? if so will i be able to do a fresh install as normal after I replace the Hd or is it more complicated than that?

Thanks for the help so far, much appreciated.

Hope to hear from you soon

Adrian

[rshaffer61]

Are you saying there were memory errors during the test? Memtest86 only tests the memory so it won't have anything to do with the HD. Did you run the HD diagnostic test to see if the HD is good and if so what were the results of that test?
If so then its a memory problem and not a HD problem.

[adrian3001]

Hi sorry for the confusion, i thought memtest tested the HD memory. I did the memtest and it came up with lots of codes in the red screen at the bottom, which I think are errors? when you say memory, do you mean the RAM? if so is this what will need replacing?

[rshaffer61]

Yes that is the RAM and if it had all those errors then yes you have a memory problem.
If you can do the HD Diagnostic test also that will let us know if there is a problem there also.
Once you can get into Windows we will do some further testing to check your Windows System Files.

[adrian3001]

Hi thanks for further help. can you tell me how to do the HD diagnostic as ive never done it before. If the HD is OK and i replace the RAM do you think I will be able to install windows or could there be other problems?

I am going out for the night now so i will check for a reply and do the HD diagnostic tomorrow.

I cant thank you enough for the help, these forums are great!!

Hope to hear from you soon

Adrian

[rshaffer61]

Click on the link below in my signature and it will take you to a site with full instructions on how to download and run the program. If you have a Toshiba HD then use the Hitachi HD Diagnostics

[adrian3001]

Hi ive done the HD diagnostic and the Hd is OK. what would be the best thing for me to do now? should I replace the RAM and try to install windows? Will I be able to install windows after replacing the RAM or are there more things I need to do first?

thanks for the help so far

Adrian

[happyrock]

I am trying repair my mums pc that is/was running windows xp but recently she did a fresh install with a windows disc that I gave her.

is this a install disk that came with your computer...

[adrian3001]

No it didnt come with the computer, I got it from a friend. It was an origional disc but I dont know what computer it was for in the first place.