Not able to startup Windows XP Home Edition normally

[Abigail]

I have a problem starting my Windows XP Home Edition
normally. The computer continuously restarts 5 or 6 times
and displays a long message that says, "Sorry for the
incovenience... a recent hardware or software change might
have caused this..." Within the message, there are options
to start windows in safe mode, use last known good
configuration, start windows normally, etc. I have tried
all the given options, as well as updated my Windows, but
nothing seems to work. It just keeps restarting everytime
I turn on the computer. Sometimes another message comes
up on the screen that reads as follows:
Primary Hard Disk Failure
Disk Boot Failure
Insert System Disk
How can I solve this problem?

 

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

I have a problem starting my Windows XP Home Edition
normally. The computer continuously restarts 5 or 6 times
and displays a long message that says, "Sorry for the
incovenience... a recent hardware or software change might
have caused this..." Within the message, there are options
to start windows in safe mode, use last known good
configuration, start windows normally, etc. I have tried
all the given options, as well as updated my Windows, but
nothing seems to work. It just keeps restarting everytime
I turn on the computer. Sometimes another message comes
up on the screen that reads as follows:
Primary Hard Disk Failure
Disk Boot Failure
Insert System Disk
How can I solve this problem?

A message such as you received is often an indication the hard disk has
failed and needs to be replaced.

You can try doint a repair install of XP (this does not repair your hard
disk, only your XP installation) but if that fails, it would be best to have
your system looked at as it would appear your hard drive has failed as the
message indicated:
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 usin
g 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.