[Changinglives]

Hi everyone,

I hope you can help me, Iv been having this problem for a while but now its gone so bad I just cant turn my laptop back on.
I press the start button, I get a message "Windows didnt start properly" with all the usual list of options. I have tried them all "start windows normally", press f11, start with last configuration etc .. windows starts for a few seconds, then it cuts itself off and back to former screen .. so i never get anywhere. I tried taking battery out, leaving laptop time to cool down .. nothing. Any ideas anyone ? Im getting desperate I NEED that laptop for a biz presentation . today !! Thanks everyone :-)

[IsolatedSnail]

If you have a copy of Windows XP you can use it to run a repair on your system. The best method would be to use the manufacturer's restore cd that came with the laptop. If that isn't available any copy of XP that is the same version as your laptop will work. Check the version of XP you have by looking on the bottom of your laptop. Most likely Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center or Windows XP Professional.

Insert the disc and let it load through all the drivers then when you see the Welcome screen you'll have 3 options. Go with the top option by pressing Enter, you do not want to load the recovery console. After you press enter it should search for existing installations of windows, then press R on the desired Windows install and it should start a repair. This will basically reinstall windows on top of your current files.

[Changinglives]

Hi thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I lost the boz the laptop came with and its such a tiny laptop there is no where to insert a cd in it. any ideas ? i thought the battery might be knackered ? sorry if i sound amateur - i am !!

[rebelmusic]

Quick question - if you choose safe mode does that work?

[Changinglives]

no, it makes no difference :-(

[rebelmusic]

When you say you think the battery might be knackered, is the laptop plugged into the mains when you turn it on?

You could attempt to try and load xp from a flash drive. There's a pretty good guide here:
http://www.pctipsbox.com/installing-...b-flash-drive/
But then you say you're computer illiterate.

It might be easier to make a bootable windows cd - guide is here
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Regardless, you will have to boot from something to fix the issue. If windows isn't giving anytime to do a repair then this is your next best option.

[lisa6447]

Welcome to TSG you say you have no cd drive could you tell us what model and number your laptop is please