Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
2 Posts
0
46003
June 30th, 2011 14:00
Windows XP - We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully.....
My parents have a 10 year old Dell PC which has suddenly started showing the following screen (below) on start up (after the Dell and Windows start up screens). To the best of their knowledge they haven't installed anything or attached any new hardware.
I've tried all of the choices - safe mode, last known good configuration etc - but alway end up back at this screen.
Is there anything anyone can suggest to fix this or after 10 years am I just as well suggesting they get a new laptop?
Many thanks, Nick
No Events found!
fireberd
11 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
•
112.8K Points
0
June 30th, 2011 14:00
With a 10 year old PC, and especially Windows XP and the problem presented, the first step should be a complete (clean) reinstall. Which means reformat the hard drive and then install Windows. You failed to include the PC model so I can't link you to the Dell driver downloads (if needed) but the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Intall Dell Desktop System Software On Applicable Models (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install Device Drivers including Video, Dell sound drivers, Ethernet, etc.
DO NOT skip the chipset drivers as they are key to a successful install and must be installed before installing device drivers.
theflash1932
11 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
June 30th, 2011 14:00
Well, this may be easy enough to fix, but the cheapest computer you can find ($250-300) will run circles around anything that old.
If you want to try to fix it, you will need your XP CD. Boot to it, choose R to Repair (instead of Install), then run CHKDSK /R from the command prompt in Recovery Console. If that doesn't work, then go back to the Recovery Console and run another CHKDSK /R, FIXBOOT, and FIXMBR. If that doesn't work, then you'll need to do something more drastic (reinstall, replace, etc.).
nick-wo
2 Posts
0
June 30th, 2011 15:00
Thanks for the speedy response. Can you advise how I boot to the CD as I do still have it? Thanks again.
theflash1932
11 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
June 30th, 2011 15:00
Just stick it in and reboot. You'll probably see a prompt on the screen to "press any key to boot to CD" ... press any key and let it do its thing (loading files). If you don't see the prompt to press any key, then hit F12 for the Boot Menu to select to boot from the CD drive.