[bigtrucks]

Hello all,
First let me say how good it is to be back here(even if I'm not posting logs.)another story another time).

I have my daughters computer with the notorious black screen flasher.
Dell Dimension 4600
Windows XP HE
Intel Pent 4
768 MB Ram(1-512 MB & 2-128 MB)
64 MB AGP
I came right here and researched it and found this : xp-wont-boot-blinking-cursor-with-blank-screen (Insert link won't link had to do a url code)
I read the whole thread and came across happyrock's post.(#15) & thought that would be what I could do for the time being as my daughter has no cd's for this pc that she knows of. (bought it used 1 1/2 yrs ago). I have a slight issue though. I have no blank cd's to burn it to BUT I do have a portable HD which is what I was going to dwnld her data to until we can find a cd(cheap)to possibly format her pc then put her data back or get another HD for it. My question is can I dwnld the puppy to the PHD and then to the ill pc ? Then copy her data to the PHD ? and if so how would I go about doing so?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards
BT

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You can run Puppy from a USB flash drive if the computer supports it.

See here: Installing to USB flash drive without a CD

[Ztruker]

You can run Puppy from a USB flash drive if the computer supports it.

See here: Installing to USB flash drive without a CD

[bigtrucks]

Ok So I finally get some free time only to have issues with the "Puppy" program. I just want to get this pc up and running again so I can get it out of my work space. Not too worried if I can save data now . daughter said she doesn't care anymore..
f2 and f12 are the only options i can get into.f2 takes me into the system but can not get to BIOS to do last good config.
f12 takes me into start up options but no safe mode and non of the options that are there workI.
Can I get a recovery/repair download off the net or will I have to buy one. My daughter lossed the one she had( or should I say her children)
Is there anyway of getting this pc back on track?

Thanks
Regards
BT

[Ztruker]

To use Last know configuration that worked, you need to press F8 during boot and select it from the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Also try running chkdsk from the XP recovery console: You are going to have to get into BIOS Setup on your computer to set the CD/DVD drive as the first bootable device, so you can then boot your XP CD, unless it provides the ability to press a Fn key at boot time to bring up the boot selection menu. If it does, use that.

How you do this varies with each manufacturer. Normally you press F1, F2, F10 or Del when you see the manufacturers logo. Often there is a clue somewhere on the screen when you boot normally telling you what key to press. Some computers (most newer ones) have a key you can press (often F12) to bring up the Boot Menu from where you can select the CD/DVD drive to boot from.

If you don't have an XP CD, download and run ARCDC by Artellos. It will download the required files from the Microsoft Web site and create a .iso file. It will also offer to burn the iso image to a CD for you. If you don't do it then, there is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do it at a later time. If you're unsure how to do this, you can follow the tutorial here: How to Burn an ISO File.

The above can be done from any computer with internet access.

On the problem computer, boot the CD and at the first opportunity, enter R to start the Recovery Console.

Next, choose which XP installation you want to login to. Normally this will be 1.
Lastly you will be asked for the Administrator password. Just press the Enter key as the Administrator does not have a password (unless you gave it one, then you would enter it).

From the command prompt, type: chkdsk /r and press Enter.
Allow it to complete undisturbed. It can take an hour or more depending on the size of the hard drive.

Remove the CD, type exit and the computer will reboot. Hopefully that will have fixed the problem (corrupted file system).

[bigtrucks]

Thank you for your help . I am sorry I didn't respond sooner but life sometimes gets in the way,so to speak. as I was about to do this she decided to take it to her now husbands friend and have him try to fix it.(smh) At least I'll know if I come across the same issue again.

Thanks again.

BT

[Ztruker]

You'r ewelcome. Take care.