WindowsXP stalls on startup

[Teako]

Good morning All,
I have searched this group for an answer and have not found it.
Forgive me if I missed it.
I bought a used computer (had been running XP from a network),
installed an old HD of mine, installed Windows XP and Serv Pack 2 along
with Office XP Professional. I used it for several days and everything
was running smoothly. It seemed to be very stable.
I took this computer to my grandkids (14 and 18) for homework. The
14 yr old turned it on and worked with it for a couple of hours. The
next time he turned it on, the Windows welcome screen - with the blue
animated bar - came up, it went to the screen "Windows is opening" and
there it sits - locked as tight as a bank vault.
I have tried to restore from the WinXP CD and it seems not to see
the CD drive, but does the above attempt at starting Windows. I was
able to get into the BIOS and made sure the CD/DVD drive was at the top
of the list.
I have done an F10, F8, and F2. It will not boot from the "last
known working..." (not sure of the exact wording). It will not boot in
"safe mode". It simply seems not to recognize the CD drive.
I was hoping to start from the DOS prompt and do a Format, but after
searching this group, found out there is no such thing any more.
Does anyone out there have any ideas or magic wands? Thanks for
being there!
Peace, Judy

 

[philo]

Good morning All,
I have searched this group for an answer and have not found it.
Forgive me if I missed it.
I bought a used computer (had been running XP from a network),
installed an old HD of mine, installed Windows XP and Serv Pack 2 along
with Office XP Professional. I used it for several days and everything
was running smoothly. It seemed to be very stable.
I took this computer to my grandkids (14 and 18) for homework. The
14 yr old turned it on and worked with it for a couple of hours. The
next time he turned it on, the Windows welcome screen - with the blue
animated bar - came up, it went to the screen "Windows is opening" and
there it sits - locked as tight as a bank vault.
I have tried to restore from the WinXP CD and it seems not to see
the CD drive, but does the above attempt at starting Windows. I was
able to get into the BIOS and made sure the CD/DVD drive was at the top
of the list.

Although the cd drive may be defective...it's possible that the machine just
cannot boot from a cd
(even though the option exisits in the bios)

try using boot floppies:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

 

[Teako]

Since I installed XP etc from the CD, I know at "that" time it was
recognized and working. I will try booting from the floppy and report
back later. <crossing fingers> Thanks again.
Peace, Judy

 

[philo]

Since I installed XP etc from the CD, I know at "that" time it was
recognized and working. I will try booting from the floppy and report
back later. <crossing fingers> Thanks again.
Peace, Judy

Well the drive might have died...but check your cd to be sure it's not dirty
or scratched