Computer does not start?

Question

I have a note book 3 yrs old with XP professional. I installed scanner and webcam. Since then the computer kept crashing. Today I tried to restore to August 25th and since then it does not even start. It kept saying dumping physical memory and then restart. I have not backed my files. I wonder how I can back up and then restore it. Should I take this to a store such as Best Buy or should I be able to fix. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I'd say you have a problem that's beyond fixing it yourself. But don't take it to Best Buy or any retailer. They're interested in selling you something, not in fixing your machine (Our town librarian found this out when she took her new machine, still under warranty, back to BB -- an hour and a half a way -- when the hard drive failed. First, their service department didn't have a set of restore disks or the software to pull up the old files, so she had to drive 90 minutes back, get the disks, drive another 90 minutes back to BB and another 90 minutes home. After all that, they just replaced the hard drive, losing all the library's data). And they're no less expensive than a reputable PC technician. Possibly more.

That said, can you boot in Safe Mode? (Press the F8 key immediately after startup. If you can, uninstall the new devices. Could be an IRQ conflict -- too many devices trying to use the same port.

Could also be caused by insufficient memory. If you're trying to run XP Pro, 256MB is absolute minimum. If you also have large footprint security software, such as Norton Internet Security or System Works, you definitely need more. Scanners and webcams generally install themselves to load at boot, consuming more memory. It's axiomatic that you just can't have enough RAM.

Another question: has your machine been running hot lately? Could be you've fried either the processor or the RAM.

Answer 2

boot it up it with you xp disk in. Follow the options to do a restore. It will ask you what partition you want to restore. Typically you only have one. Select that and then it will ask you for the admin password. Normall there is none, so just hit enter. Once you at a dos prompt enter this command. chkdsk/r That will repair any files that might be missing or a screwed up. If that doesn't fix the problem. chances are your going to have to restore it back to the factory setting and loose the info. Unless you get a external hdd case and use it like that on another computer.

Answer 3

You have a hard drive failure. My sister had that same problem and I initially thought it was system memory problem...but wasnt. It may bootup regular one time out of 15 attemps...my sisters booted up like 1 out of 20...She was able to get her data off when it booted in Windows. Keep trying and if the computer boots properly try and back up the data (the most important documents not the programs). Try using the Recovery Console. Insert the XP Pro disc on boot and boot to cd. Should tell you all the steps from there.

Answer 4

As far as getting files restored, not sure if Best Buy can fix it. I had their service plan before. Each time my system crashed and I took it in for service, they always wiped out the hard drive. If I wanted files saved- either I do it myself or they charge extra. In which case, even if I instruct them not to erase, their service center cannot guarantee anyways. Their contracts state the limitation on data storage.

They maybe able to successfully reset your system. No luck on data. Your best bet is to get a new unit and an external hard drive for backup. The price for service you will have to pay for is not worth the repetitive issues. New units are so cheap now.

Wish there was a better option. Sorry. My best regards.

Answer 5

well obviously as you stated the problem started since you installed the scanner and webcam. disconnect them, along with all extra periphrials (keyboard, mouse monitor, docking station, anything extra, modem card, etc). read the manual see if you have a RESET CMOS switch. and if so, hit it, run it, reset the cmos. that will clear hardware changes. since it is a lapytop, it might be tricky. id say dont take it to bestbuy/compusa as they overcharge for services they DONT provide. if you have an extra drive. now booting up at all, im not sure if that means it hits POST, then shuts off, doesnt power on at ALL, loads xp, restarts.. ive heard so many stories that people started using the term interchangably, because they dont know any better. but good luck

Answer 6

Best Buy might be able to help you, although I do not think they do very much for what you have to pay them. Try restarting your computer with the XP pro CD in the drive, then select "Boot from CD" when given the option. It will help you repair a possibly damaged install.

Answer 7

Personally, I wouldn't take it to any place like Best Buy. Can you boot off of another drive? Put your system disk in and see if it wil boot. If not, and you aren't very computer technical, I'd take it to a real computer service place. It really shouldn't take them long to fix it, so it shouldn't cost that much. I would guess around an hours labor, so about $100 to $150. Ask for an estimate first.

Answer 8

If it just shuts off after a period of time...you may need to clean your computer. Basically get a can of the spray air, take off the side panel of your computer and blow area all the dust and get rid of the dust bunnies in the air holes. Basically, when your computer reaches a certain temperature, it will shut down immediately in order to keep it from overheating and ultimately destroying your computer altogether.

Hope this helps.

PS I clean clean mine every month or so.

Answer 9

1st of all the last thing you want to do is take it to best buy!!!! Find a smaller dealer who won't make it a point to lose all of your files for you. Most of your smaller dealers have parts "laying" around that they can fix it for you with. I would recommend you looking in your phone book and making some phone calls to some smaller companies and seeing what you can find out.

Answer 10

Because you don't give details of your machine, I'm guessing that the problem is that you don't have enough memory installed. If you only have 256MB of memory, I would install more: at least double the current amount.