2006-09-18 16:02:15 · 6 answers · asked by Jon H 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Check the contents of boot.ini, try starting your computer
in safe mode or from a boot disk/cd if that doesn't work.
2006-09-18 16:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds to me like your hard drives critical boot files have been corrupted.
There are three options.
If you have another hard disk you can load your recovery on there, and try to copy your boot.ini ntldr.sys and a few other files over to the old drive.
If you have a xp cd, go all the way through the reinstall untill you see the repair prompt, this should rebuild the files.
If you have a dell recovery cd, turn back time and reinstall.
2006-09-18 16:06:04 · answer #2 · answered by romeohsdrumline 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it is only the BOOT.INI file, you can use and reconstruct one like this.
As to the Boot.ini entries --- be exceedingly careful ---this is for IDE disks -- I have IDE --and it's also partition 1 where XP lives --on the first disk.
Following is a sample content of my Boot.ini in between the dashed lines
-------------------------------
[boot loader]
timeout =15
default = multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP Normal" /fastdetect /sos)
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS = "Windows XP SAFE Mode" /safeboot:minimal)
-------------------------------
Notice I have "/SOS" on my normal Windows XP to give "verbose" displays at startup. You do not have to have that.
The last line if for getting (forcing of choice in startup list) the Safe Mode of XP.
Make sure you are using a text editor to do this. (Notepad is good. or command-prompt Edit). Boot.ini must be a text file.
Highly recommended: Make a "safeguard / bootup diskette".
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable
to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q314079
References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID Q314058
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314058
HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;q307654
DO install the Recovery Console as a boot choice because it's a great tool PLUS
(as added bonus) your bootup would show a choice for F8 key press !!
2006-09-18 16:27:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just remove any newly upgraded hardware such as ram, co processor, and reset the bios to default and run ist in safe mode and try next in normal boot
u may also remove ram and clean it and re insert
2006-09-18 17:03:34 · answer #4 · answered by BHARGAVA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think urs booting files are missing if useing 2k the recover it by
ERD or repair it by cd .
2006-09-18 17:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by kuku t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's wierd, i got a dell dimension 8300 and never seen that before.. try dell.com and go to support then scan my computer and they will scan your pc and tell you what's wrong.
2006-09-18 16:08:06 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋