Mombodog,

Thanks much for your reply.

I see that by hook or crook I will need start up discs.  I tried through Dell, and got the turned down. So I guess I jest keep looking.

Actually I don't suspect the hard drive failing, I've just seen it listed as a symptom related to this fault.

I have never previously had a problem with the computer.  I turned it off last night and it was working fine.  This morning it gave me that error message and I've been stumped ever since, and sitting at a friends computer trying to get a diagnosis.

 

I've also heard that running chkdsk /r, may cure the problem.  But I cannot get beyond the Safe Boot screen.  Or I don't know how to get around it.

 

Any other hints are always welcome.

Many thanks,

Dan

 

" I do not have access to an operating system disc. "     You will need one.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

 

 

 

Here is the procedure to repair your problem, you will need a Dell XP disc to do it.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&dl=false&l=en&s=gen&docid=89C2285FB22749B5ABF7CCB9CB612D47&doclang=en

 

 

"I've also seen that this error code is a pre-cursor to complete hard drive failure."

 

It is definitely one possibility.

 

If you think the hard drive is failing, run the Dell diagnostics on the hard drive.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&dl=false&l=en&s=gen&docid=126A722713F6D0D0E0401E0A55174AE6&doclang=en&cs=

Can you borrow a Dell XP CD from a friend, relative, or co-worker?  be sure it is the same version as you have, Home or Pro.

Thanks for your concern,

Not yet able to find anyone with a disc. And don't have the cash to take it to a service facility.   I can't believe the software is not available on-line.

 

I was able to get the unit to go to a hardware test mode (Pressing F2 & Power On buttons simultaneously.)

All the hardware related to "OS Won't boot" shows good.  That includes micro & hard-drive.  A relief but not a fix.

 

Is there anyway to get the unit to go to "Chckdsk" mode?  I've heard that this may repair a corrupted file.

Thanks again,

Dan

You will need an XP cd to do any further repairs, chkdsk can be run from the recovery console by booting from the xp CD.

Dear Mombodog,

I have found a Windows XP Professional, "Operating System Disc' (Says includes service pack 2).  It is further titled "Reinstalltion CD."  It shows a 2004 date.

 Is this the correct disc?

 

My laptop is XP Home Edition.  According to the sticker on the bottom of the computer, 2004.

I have installed the CD into the drive and although the led on the drive goes active, nothing else happens differently.  Still getting the missing or corrupt system file message.  (I have confirmed that the CD/DVD drive is working correctly through the hardware test mode.)

 

When I try to boot the system, it does not allow me to default to a repair mode. 

I also have 1 additional problem, that is the monitor on my laptop is not working, so I am connected to an external monitor.  When the system starts to boot, I have to physically hit the function & CRT keys to get my external monitor running.  This takes about 2 seconds.

I wonder if I am missing a screen message during this time.  (I seem to see something for a split second, but not long enough to read.)

 

Anyway, do I have the correct disc?  Is there anyway to get the unit to boot from the XP Professional disc?

 

thanks again for your kind help

 

 

"Is this the correct disc?"

 

Sort of

 

"Anyway, do I have the correct disc?"

 

Not really, it should be a "Home" CD, but the Pro CD should work for your correcting problem.

 

"Is there anyway to get the unit to boot from the XP Professional disc?"

 

1. Set the CDROM to first boot device in the bios

 

2. Use F12 during the Dell splash screen to get the boot menu, then select CDROM and hit enter, then you should get another message "press any key to boot from CD"  then hit enter again.

I use Acronis software for backup, I image the entire hard drive, all partitions.

 

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

 

 

Mombodog,

 

Yahoo!  Problem fixed, anad working from my laptop once again.

Somehow, I was able to get to the correct screens for the repair console, and eventually to a a"C:\" prompt.  From there I just ran chkdsk /r, rebooted and everything was working.

 

It feels fragile though.  Wish I knew why it blew up in the first place.   And for a last request...  How do I make a recovery and back-up disk?

 

Many thanks for your assistance.

Dan