 Windows Xp - Crashed, Not Starting! Help! |
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 Oct 6 2006, 10:30 AM
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#1
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Super Member  Group: Members Posts: 313 Joined: 28-March 06 Member No.: 20,865  |
HI,
My windows xp crashed while I was playing a DVD. It was "16 blocks" so I guess my pc just couldn't handle looking at bruse willis and decided to end its life  Anyway, upon restart I get the usual dell loading screen and then a screen with several options on it - start windows normally, from the last good save, or in safe mode. None of these options work. They all result in a blank screen or lines of code. I have a dimension 5150 pc. I was not supplied with any windows XP cds. I have data on the PC I'd rather not lose. Any ideas of what I can do? Thanks, Andy |
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Oct 6 2006, 01:10 PM
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#2
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Super Member Group: Members Posts: 244 Joined: 9-September 06 From: TX Member No.: 29,706 |
is it connected to the monitor? be sure to connect ALL of the cables then try
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Oct 6 2006, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Premium Member Group: Members Posts: 179 Joined: 25-May 06 Member No.: 24,253 |
something happened to my PC. i couldn't log in at all and safe mode didn't work, try phoning microsoft (if you need the product key it should be a sticker on the side of the tower. they can help you out. we basically did a whole new installation of windows (all users/settings/drivers lost) but they told us a way of backing up the files so nothing would get lost, however for this you need the windows disks. just ask them to send you a copy.
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Oct 6 2006, 05:09 PM
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#4
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Super Member Group: Members Posts: 313 Joined: 28-March 06 Member No.: 20,865 |
thanks for that, mate.
Its not the monitor I checked that. Basically I'm going to need to install XP again I think. I'm looking on ebay for a recovery disc. What about installing linux and then backing up my files and then reinstalling XP? What do you think the chances of success are?? |
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Oct 7 2006, 02:09 AM
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#5
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Super Member Group: Members Posts: 397 Joined: 9-June 06 From: Wisconsin Member No.: 24,924 |
Installing Linux would be a great idea. I recommend a distro called Knoppix, it is a Live CD meaning an image downloaded from the internet is burnt on a CD, and then you run Linux off of that when you start your computer. It supports all the major file systems, and you can burn CDs (and probably DVDs too) with it. Just Google Knoppix. I'll be glad to help you if you need it, just PM me.
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Oct 7 2006, 04:52 AM
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#6
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 2-October 06 Member No.: 30,945 |
Yea, I keep a distro of Knoppix handy for just such an occasion.
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Oct 7 2006, 05:45 AM
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#7
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Super Member Group: Members Posts: 244 Joined: 9-September 06 From: TX Member No.: 29,706 |
was you computer acting weird before this incident happend? stuff such as SLOWNESS? crashes? anything??
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Oct 7 2006, 09:51 AM
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#8
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Newbie [Level 3] Group: Members Posts: 43 Joined: 28-July 06 Member No.: 27,439 |
Windows XP doesn't work? I had that situation countless number of times,
usually I have a live copy of Knoppix Linux with me, and it never failed me. I make a copy of my important documents using Linux. Hope this helps. |
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Oct 7 2006, 10:29 AM
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#9
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Super Member Group: [HOSTED] Posts: 484 Joined: 9-April 06 From: The UK Member No.: 21,584 |
QUOTE(ishwar @ Oct 7 2006, 10:51 AM)  Windows XP doesn't work? I had that situation countless number of times, usually I have a live copy of Knoppix Linux with me, and it never failed me. I make a copy of my important documents using Linux. Hope this helps. Yep knoppix is a good way to recover the stuff on your drive, But about you not getting a recovery CD, are you able to contact dell, I'm sure theyd send you one (although they may charge for it) another option is to just take your hard drive into a PC shop for a day or two and get them to recover the files for you, it may cost about £60 though. - Don't use PCworld for this. They only damage your drive beyond recovery. Not even their largest branches are any good.  good luckJames |
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