XP start up problems?

Question

I keep getting a variety of messages such as: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Another time it might be "one of your discs needs to be checked for consistency" or "DISK BOOT FAILURE" or " A DISK READ ERROR OCCURRED" I might add that the computer is only a few months old. I have just had the hard drive replaced to so say cure this problem. I am just wondering what else it might be? I have to say that it does eventually boot up but there is obviously something amiss. Any thoughts please?

Answer 1

If the hard drive has been replaced, it is difficult to say - many software problems look like hardware problems, and vice versa.

I assume as you say you had the hard drive replaced rather than doing it yourself that you are not very technically minded, so all I can suggest is the following:

Hardware: Remove the case lid, and check the connections internally. Ensure all the cables are seated properly, paying particular attention to the ribbon cables that run from the main board to the hard drive and CD/DVD Rom drive.

Software: Insert the XP disk, and select recovery mode. Re-write the MBR (master boot record)

Beyond that, it is almost impossible to guess: if the problem persists, it is possible that you have an intermittent fault on the motherboard or with the processor, but it is too complicated to explain how to do it if you have no technical knowledge.

Answer 2

dodgy hard drive would be my best guess, though it may also be the RAM. I would do a memory check on both. If it is less than a year old in total, you have voided whatever warrenty you had. If you can get into windows at all, back up all your data then try to reformat the hard-drive. Try booting from CD if it does not work from the hard-drive. There are memory tests availiable that work from the bios so no need to start windows. Also, sounds simple, just try unpluging the hard drive, check all connections and re plug back in, that worked for me one time. Failing all of that, it sounds like you are screwed I am afraid, I would buy a new hard drive and try and sell or bin the current one.

Answer 3

check the bios for boot sequence, then also run a disk scan on all hard drives, and also run the system file checker utility to see if there is a corrupt or missing file. Time consuming but it will resolve the issue.
you could also just do a clean install of the OS

Answer 4

The Disk from that you're installation Xp isn't sturdy...move for different one NTLDR is a record contained in the starting up of ur BOOT procedure..and its being damaged subsequently u can't do it... eeven you may manually deploy absolutely the NTLDR record from yet another sturdy disk yet its now problematic..

Answer 5

You could try the System Restore which takes you back to a time when your computer was working good. Go To:
start
programs
accessories
systems tools
system restore
This process is completely reversable. And does not remove your personal files. Just go back one checkpoint at a time until your puter is working good again.
E

Answer 6

The first thing to do to speed up pc and get rid of malwares and viruses is cleaning the registry with a program like CCLeaner http://bitly.com/UrAPaS
It works very well.

Answer 7

enable SMART as well in the BIOS to check the hard disk, you can also boot with the recovery console and check it, for the memory use mem86

Answer 8

I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some RAM/hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required.

Answer 9

Quicker and cheaper to buy a new hard drive dude.

Put that one in as a slave and try to save your stuff that way.

Even if you get it working now, it will soon break again.

Sorry to be bearer of bad news.

Answer 10

it sounds like you picked up a boot sector virus, Have you tried to boot from the XP cd?