Unable to start Windows XP

Question

I cannot get Windows to start up properly on my Dimension 2300. The following appears full screen, in a sort of DOS type print: 'We apologise for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardward or software change might have caused this.If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly or was automatically shutdown to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.If a previous starting attempt was interrupted due to a 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. It then gives me the option to run in Safe Mode etc but none of the options works.   I've tried booting from the reinstall CD and doing a repair but says its checking the hard drive but then just hangs there.   Don't want to reinstall as I'll lose my data.   Am considering removing hard drive and replacing with a new one, installing XP etc onto this and then retrieve data from old one. Had problem a couple of months ago where it couldn't find a driver and wouldn't boot. Friend removed hard drive and backed up data and when we put drive back it worked OK. Of course I didn't then take opportunity to reformat etc.   Not really a techie so don't know if I'm getting beyond my capabilities here? Any advice?

mombodog · Answer

'Am considering removing hard drive and replacing with a new one, installing XP etc onto this and then retrieve data from old one'   This is a good idea, if the drive is failing, you may only have a couple more opportunities to copy the data off, the more you mess with the drive the less chances you have.   Connect the new drive and install XP on it, install drivers and updates, shut down then connect the sick hard drive.   Leave the sick hard drive disconnected until you are ready to attempt data retrieval.

SugarD-x · Answer

Try removing any newly installed hardware or software from the system, if possible. That issue is Operating System-related as something is either conflicting with the Operating System with a hardware driver or some piece of software, or the Operating System's files are corrupted. If you can, try booting into Safe Mode and checking Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts or issues.

Rebel9 · Answer

'try booting into Safe Mode and checking Device Manager'   The OP indicated that Safe Mode would not work.

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