XP Will Not Load. Please Help

[Guest]

Windows Xp will not startup. What happens is I start my
computer and I see the XP loading screen for about 4-5
seconds and then it goes to the following message:

We apologize for the inconvenience, but windows did not
start successfully. A recent hardware or software change
might have caused this.

(Then it gives the following on the same page)

If your computer stopped responding, restarted
unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect
your files and folders, choose Last Known Good
Configuration to revert to the most recent settingsthat
worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interupted due to power
failure or because the power or reset button was pressed,
or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose
Start Windows Normally.

(Then it gives the following selections on the same page)

Safe Mode
Safe Mode With Networking
Safe Mode With Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (Your most recent settings
that worked)

Start Windows Normally

----There is also a 30 second clock. If you select any
of those options it just restarts and goes back to the
same screen. It was running fine then the comp slowed
down and would not even enter programs after trying to
watch a movie. So I just turned it off via the tower
because I could not do it any other way.

Please help. I have a HP Pavilion 523N. I am running on
Windows XP home.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM
drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/