Computer won't start?

Question

I have a Packard Bell. XP HOME

The computer won't boot at all, and dosn't seem to be searching the hard drive when loading.

I asked this question before and got told to put the disk in and select repair, but I don't have this option. I only have the recovery DVD for the computer and when I put that in all I can do is a system restore. However I have so many files and programs which I won't be able to get back, and which I need desperately.

What Can I do?

Step by step instructions and quick response appreciated.

Will give 10points

Thanks

No I'm using my laptop

This answer doesn't help my question. If I was on it I wouldn't ask the question.

I will be reporting your answer

Zee 100 you need to start your own question otherwise people won't help you.

Answer 1

I have a similiar problem I have an error message at the boot up so I changed my Bios to boot off a Cd then when it try's to boot up I tell it to boot off the cd by following the instruction to press any key then after all is loaded I press R for repair then type at the prompt the instruction fix boot then type y when asked then reboot computer but as soon as the writing appears on the screen remove the cd drive by opening it then, your computer will start up but enventually after I have saved all I need into my removable hard drive I will reinstall windows XP and all the programs I need to ~~

Answer 2

Interesting question, and somewhat unclear background info.

If the computer is dead and not doing anything when you press the start button you have one simple option - pull the harddrive and put it in another machine to see if you can read it and backup your data. If it is dead, and you can't pull the harddrive, your are in a bind - and it is your choice.

If the computer tries to start but does not, you get messages on the screen about no o/s or windows can't start then I would hunt up a Linux livecd and someone that can use it, to see if Linux will boot, and if it does, be ready to backup the data you want.

If you can't do either of the above, you can hire someone to do the above, or do data recovery from the harddisk (at a very high $$$ amount).

Does it do anything when you turn it on? If it tries to boot but can't, and you are not interested in the options I mentioned above, try pulling the harddrive and stick it in the freezer for a few hours - conventional wisdom has it that sometimes that will bring back a dead harddrive - temporarily. But no promises.

If you don't want to open the box - well, that is your choice.

Answer 3

Hi there, I am in a Big big trouble. I have a report due Monday, September 17th, 2007 and i saved it in my computer but here is the problem: I put it to stand by and i went out. when i came back i saw that the computer was still on but nothing on was showing in the screen so i try to restart by pressing the button, it didn't work so i held button for a few seconds and it turned off. NOW today i wanted to use my computer but it won't show anything on screen, the fan is running, the light is on. but the keyboard and is not showing any signs. I have a Compaq presario 6000 Windows XP. This problem occurred before and my brother fixed it but he is not here (he's out of country in vacation) and i don't know how to fix it, Please help a brother out. Thank you very much.

Answer 4

you could get a mobile hard drive and then copy ALL ur important files on it. then try the system recover thing.the same thing happened for me, and this system recovery thing worked

Answer 5

its working.youre on it