Can not boot computer

Question

My daughter has the following problem:

Upon trying to boot up, the following blue screen of death error message appears:
STOP 0x00000051 Registry Error, etc.

Running XP.

Error says to uninstall any recently installed hardware or soft ware...............but if you can not boot up, how could you do that.

Tried to get into BIOS, but couldn't even do that.

HELP, please.

Denny Denham · Answer

march2,

You may be able to boot to Safe Mode. Start tapping the F8 key when the computer starts and select Safe Mode from the menu that appears. That menu also offers the option of booting to Last Known Good Configuration.

march2 · Answer

Hi: Denny: F8 doesn't work. 'Delete' to get into the BIOS doesn't work.Booting with the XP cd in doesn't work.

bizlimpkit · Answer

no, you do not need to go to bios this time, you will need to boot your system in safe mode. when you turn your computer on, just start tapping F8, keep on tapping it until you get the menu option. select safe mode or last known good configuration. goodluck! ciaO!

Denny Denham · Answer

march2,

What model is the computer? does not access the BIOS on all Dell systems. Is any text displayed on the screen when the system begins to start (white text on a black screen)?

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 05-31-2004 09:44 AM

march2 · Answer

Denny: Model 4200 Text (white on black): We appologize for the inconvenience with a list of options....Safe mode...Normal...etc. Then Win Xp screen Then blue screen error message

Denny Denham · Answer

march2,

I assume that you can't select any of the options from the boot menu (Safe Mode, Normal, etc.). It's perplexing that you are unable to access BIOS, which should be available regardless of the condition of Windows. It's possible that the motherboard has failed somehow and BIOS has been lost, although you still get a boot menu which indicates that Windows is still there. The instructions for entering BIOS specify that a bootable CD should be inserted (see this) but I doubt that is causing the difficulty.

Give Dell tech support a call. Perhaps they can suggest some diagnostics that might shed some light on the problem.

march2 · Answer

Hello :

Resolution.

She got hold of the 6 floppy set-up disks, ran them and was able to reinstall winXP.

All works fine now.

She never found out what the problem was, but the solution lets her use the computer again and she is happy.

Thank youl for your assistance. I really appreciate all the time and effort put in.

Denny Denham · Answer

march2, Excellent news. Thanks for the feedback.

maluangel390 · Answer

what 6 floppy set up disks are you talking about? because i have the exact same problem and nothing i do will work. I've tried everything you've listed along with the F8 key stuff and yet my computer is still like the way it is before with the screen and everything. What exactly did the Dell Administrators say when you called them? What are we supposed to do?   Sincerly, Help Wanted

maluangel390 · Answer

what 6 floppy set up disks are you talking about? because i have the exact same problem and nothing i do will work. I've tried everything you've listed along with the F8 key stuff and yet my computer is still like the way it is before with the screen and everything. What exactly did the Dell Administrators say when you called them? What are we supposed to do?   Sincerly, Help Wanted

Windows General

Can not boot computer

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