My OS is Windows XP. The PC is a Compaq Presario (I think 5100 series) All of a sudden when I turned it on it gets to the Windows XP screen, then a blank purplish screen and then it restarts itself over... and over.... and over. I tried safe mode, I tried continue to last working condition. Nothing. It also is making a weird like wind up noise. I appreciate any help on this issue and thanks in advance. :)
2007-11-27 03:53:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Loving all the advice, thanks so far guys.
I wanted to add- I can't even get to the desktop, it shuts down before I'm able to. And I don't have any of the software, it's an computer that my kids use. But if I can't even get to the desktop, if I do get an XP disk, will it work? Ugh this is a pain in the assets.
2007-11-27 04:10:15 · update #1
In response to Phaneendra K - It does the same thing when I hit safe mode, keeps restarting. I'd toss the thing, but there are tons of family pics etc. on this pc. If there weren't I'd hammer it to death. And I am not that smart when it comes to getting internally into the system and fixing this, so any detailed answers would be awesome. Thanks :)
2007-11-27 04:30:12 · update #2
Also, the night before this happened I tried installing SP2, but it said it wasn't working and to delete Service pack 2 and reinstall. It also wasn't letting me delete anyting from add/remove programs. This ALL started as we got a new iPod nano and I was having trouble downloading the recent iTunes for it. Hope that helps with the answers.
2007-11-27 04:33:49 · update #3
A problem with OS files on your disk. Either the files have been removed or the disk has developed a bad sector in a place where one or more files are located that Windows needs to boot.
If you have backups of the files you need from that disk, the easiest thing to do is reformat it and reload Windows and your apps, then restore your files from your backups.
If you haven't backed up the files you need, you have a couple of options:
1. You could pull the disk and install a new disk to reload Windows. Then you could put the original disk in as a secondary internal disk or in an external disk enclosure and copy your files back from the old disk. This may not work if the problem is a bad sector on the disk.
2. You could get software called "SpinRite" and use it to repair bad sectors on the disk, then either replace the disk (recommended, since it's making strange noises) and copy the files over to the new disk or go on using your original disk as if the problem had never happened. SpinRite won't bring back deleted OS files, though, so if it still won't boot after you run SpinRite, you'll need to do the steps listed in #1 above.
Given that your disk is making nasty noises, I'd lean toward replacing the disk, no matter which path you take. And if you haven't backed up your files, this is a good time to get an external disk and set up some kind of backup plan. Many external hard disks come with backup software.
It's definitely not a stuck reset line. If the reset button was stuck or shorted, the system wouldn't even start a self-test, much less try to boot Windows and then fail.
2007-11-27 04:08:55 · answer #1 · answered by Scott B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had that happen as well, on a machine where there were minor hardware problems that resulted in a corrupt registry that could not be fixed with system restore. The only option I had was to pull the hard drive, back up the data, then reinstall XP. If I'd had it available, I would have installed either Norton GHOST or Acronis True Image to make a complete disk image to go back to for the next time the problem occurred.
2007-11-27 06:06:15 · answer #2 · answered by Spartacus! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best guess is your Hard Drive that the operating system is on is DEAD...You'll need to get a new one and Reinstall your operating system...
But first I would try formatting the hard drive and then reinstalling the operating system to see if that fixes it...
The reason it's rebooting over and over is because there's major corruption in the files that are needed in startup and Windows by default is programmed to automatically restart in the event of a systems Crash...
2007-11-27 04:01:18 · answer #3 · answered by MUff1N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must be due to some system drivers conflict. Boot to the safe mode and uninstall all the drivers which are installed. then try to reboot the machine. if it comesup fine then reinstall drivers.
2007-11-27 04:22:49 · answer #4 · answered by Phaneendra K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shut it off, unplug it and hold down the on/off button for two minutes.
If it continues with the same behavior when you turn it back on, hold down alt, ctrl and delete. Check your task manager and disable anything that is running, then restart the computer again.
2007-11-27 04:01:32 · answer #5 · answered by John 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may me any virus in your system.Try with AVG antivirus... or Just format the hard disk and reinstall the OS. If nothing helps just call your computer vendor...
2007-11-27 04:00:16 · answer #6 · answered by ram 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"a blank purplish screen" what is this? are you sure it isn't a BSOD (blue screen of death)? if its not, then it is quite an abnormality. except perhaps if you changed your logon screen. however, try changing video cards first and see if the pc improves.
2007-11-27 04:03:36 · answer #7 · answered by zeven77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some windows files are missing , time for a reinstallation of OS.
2007-11-27 03:59:42 · answer #8 · answered by cadbuaryguy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
corupted or missing O/S file, virus, bad memory, motherboard problem, ...
can you boot off of a CD? you should have the O/S reload CD, try booting off of it. if it boots then it is a corupted or missing O/S file or virus.
2007-11-27 04:05:09 · answer #9 · answered by David 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably it's the reset-button that has caught...
Excuse my English, hope you're understanding me...
2007-11-27 03:58:32 · answer #10 · answered by Marius94 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋