I'm not incredibly computer saavy but have read something about looking at BIOS and boot records. Unfortunately everything I'm reading is above my head and might as well be in another language. Can someone give me dumbed down instructions to fix my computer please?
2006-07-28 03:55:06 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
OK lame version Re-install windows. That seems to be what people do when ever the computer isn't working and they don't know what else to do. I will tell you on the other hand that the IO.SYS and the MSDOS.SYS file is corrupted.put the os disk in and boot it up and do a system recovery when the c:\_ prompt comes on type sys c:\ then enter...that will put all the OS files back were they belong...if there was a floppy in disk A: it would say non system disk please remove shhhheeeesh !
2006-07-28 09:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anointed71 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The operating system is on the hard drive... almost always Drive C
If it just suddenly stopped working, and you didn't change anything, then I'd hazard a guess that your hard drive crashed, or has been corrupted in some fashion. Does the drive activity light flash? Can you hear any drive movement?
See if you can borrow a "boot disk" either on floppy or CD, and try to boot from that. If you can, then take a look at the hard drive, see if it's accessible.
As far as looking at the BIOS, it's hard to be specific, because they're all different, but, in essence, you would be looking for something like "boot device sequence" or "...order" - which should be set to look first on drive A, then C,
2006-07-28 11:06:28 · answer #2 · answered by IanP 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be as easy as pressing F8 while it starts and picking a different hardware device. You could also try pressing the DEL key while it starts up - for varying models there are different function keys, F2 sometimes works... you are looking for a "Boot Device" Selection menu, or similar, and you want to try selecting the various drives, see if picking a different HD solves the problem. This sometimes happens with my home computer.
Otherwise, your HD may have become corrupt and a HD test / new HD / reinstall may be in order. If you are not too computer savvy, find a computer savvy friend or worst case pay for someone to fix it, or you can attempt to do it yourself through the use of Internet based tutorials.
2006-07-28 11:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by Dennis A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be as easy as pressing F8 while it starts and picking a different hardware device. You could also try pressing the DEL key while it starts up - for varying models there are different function keys, F2 sometimes works... you are looking for a "Boot Device" Selection menu, or similar, and you want to try selecting the various drives, see if picking a different HD solves the problem. This sometimes happens with my home computer.
Otherwise, your HD may have become corrupt and a HD test / new HD / reinstall may be in order. If you are not too computer savvy, find a computer savvy friend or worst case pay for someone to fix it, or you can attempt to do it yourself through the use of Internet based tutorials.
2006-07-28 11:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by boris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the XP CD in and boot from it when asked. If it doesn't ask then you will need to go into the BIOS and change the boot order so the CD drive is first. Once it boots from the CD choose the repair option. If it doesn't offer the option you may have more serious problems, like a bad hard drive or controller.
2006-07-28 11:00:25 · answer #5 · answered by EG345 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your operating system is corrupt. Possible by malicious software. Reformat hard drive, Reload Operating system, get antivirus and antispyware programs.
To reformatt hard drive you need to turn on system and press F8 until you get a start up menu. you can then boot up in DOS mode and type format c:.
This is pretty drastic, and if you don't have original disk for operating system could be expensive, So make sure this is the problem first.
Try starting in safe mode to see if system boots first. Start system, Tap F8 to get start up menu. Open in safe mode. If it boots here, your hard drive is ok but you have a serious infection.
Still need to run antispyware and antivirus.
2006-07-28 11:03:47 · answer #6 · answered by shirley_corsini 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you reformat. Do you have a floppy drive? If so, is there a floppy disk in it? If so, remove it and try booting again.
2006-07-28 11:13:15 · answer #7 · answered by Just Bored!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing. yr os has vanished totaly. u have to reinstall the os.
2006-07-28 11:04:20 · answer #8 · answered by nisu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
format it and reinstall windows
2006-07-28 11:10:07 · answer #9 · answered by yogesh gem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋