Problem with my computer, AKA HELP!!!!

[tnick777]

My computer upstairs is getting something along the lines of this


Driver 5 not found

Press F1 to continue or F2 to continue into set up


*presses F1*

Windows has failed to start


{List of safe start options}

Revert to last successful settings

Start Windows Normally

*presses Start Windows Normally*


*beep beep*

Goes back to the F1 or F2 option

*presses F2*

Blue screen where I kinda look around confused... found Driver 5, it's listed, don'tk now if thats good or anything.

*presses esc*

Goes to the F1 F2 screan

*presses F1*

Goes to the list

*clicks go to last successfull system settings*

*beep beep*

screen with F1 and F2 options

*presses F1*

Goes to list screen

*presses safe mode*

Black screen with computer language pops up and freezes

*turns off computer*

*gets frustrated*

*stays on hold with Dell's outsourcing center in India*

*goes to the boards and asks you guys *

[sdjenkyn]

Might want to try repairing windows with the windows disk. Set cd-rom as first boot option in bios ,save and exit. Restart your machine with the windows cd in the tray and follow instructions to repair windows from there...

[tnick777]

okay

so I just put in my XP disk and restart it?

[tnick777]

I don't want to go that far yet.

Is there something else I can do?

[sdjenkyn]

can you get it to boot to desktop ? or only in safe mode?

[tnick777]

I cant get to the desktop even with safe mode

it just reverts to the F1 and F2 option black/white screan

[Freddie]

I cant get to the desktop even with safe mode

it just reverts to the F1 and F2 option black/white screan

Just do as the guy says and install XP back over the top, theres no need to reformat just yet.

But from what your are describing it sounds like a hardware problem rather then a software problems, those *beebs* are the sound of your computer telling you what's wrong with it. Can you describe the *beeps* in more detail are they long or short? I.e Tow long beeps followed by one short beep.

[HorseArcher]

My computer upstairs is getting something along the lines of this


Driver 5 not found

Press F1 to continue or F2 to continue into set up


*presses F1*

Windows has failed to start


{List of safe start options}

Revert to last successful settings

Start Windows Normally

*presses Start Windows Normally*


*beep beep*

Goes back to the F1 or F2 option

*presses F2*

Blue screen where I kinda look around confused... found Driver 5, it's listed, don'tk now if thats good or anything.

*presses esc*

Goes to the F1 F2 screan

*presses F1*

Goes to the list

*clicks go to last successfull system settings*

*beep beep*

screen with F1 and F2 options

*presses F1*

Goes to list screen

*presses safe mode*

Black screen with computer language pops up and freezes

*turns off computer*

*gets frustrated*

*stays on hold with Dell's outsourcing center in India*

*goes to the boards and asks you guys *

Black screen with computer language pops up and freezes

how long did you wait? that's not "computer language" but the windows is trying to load the drivers.

sounds like, you have a corrupted installation.

What did you do the last time you were able to go into windows? Very important if you remember.

[tnick777]

why's it important to remember?

[Niccolo Machiavelli]

why's it important to remember?

Becaue the last thing you changed/that happened is most presumably responsible for the problems you encounter now.

BTW: trying a windows repair imho is the most conservative approach you could take (in case you waited long enough on the black screen when trying to start in safe mode - if not, the most conservative approach would be to wait longer) - it's by no means going far...

[tnick777]

I will.

God this is frustrating.


EDIT:

How do you get out of safemode?

[Niccolo Machiavelli]

How do you get out of safemode?

I thought you were unable to start up in safe mode? So how can you want to get out of it?

In the case you didn't really get there and want to know how to start up otherwise:

Insert your windows CD, reset, hit the delete key as soon as your system restarts and you should be in your bios - select the CD-ROM drive your windows disk is located in as the primary boot device, save changes and exit - the rest should be pretty self explanatory if you're lucky. Nonetheless, if you are able to enter windows again, I'd secure all the data needed to some extrnal HDD/DVD Roms and set it up from scratch...

[tnick777]

Does that wipe my hard drive then?

(I couldn't get into safe mode anyways)

[Niccolo Machiavelli]

No - it will try to repair the current windows installation as good as possible (You get the option to repair in the setup...).

[sdjenkyn]

just in case safe mode is f5 ...... and xp repair or reinstall should work fine if you have a multi-partitioned hard drive....if you dont we need to talk.

[belson]

Why would he need a multiply partitioned hard drive? The XP repair worked just fine on my single partition drive.

[tnick777]

It's in geek squad's hands now

[tnick777]

uh-oh

I have a lap top

and I"m getting this


'Disk or non-disk error replace and press any key to continue'

*presses key*

'Disk or non-disk error replace and press any key to continue'

*presses any key*

'Disk or non-disk error replace and press any key to continue'

*holds down space bar*

*keeps saying the same thing*

*shuts down computer*

*puts face in hands*

*Flips over laptop and unscrews the hard drive, takes it out and puts it back in*

*Turns on computer*

'Disk or non-disk error replace and press any key to continue'


What do I do???

[Doono]

you got a floppy in the A drive? Thats what normally causes this.

[kshcshbash]

Did you read my sticky "Before you ask for help"?

It'd help us help you a lot if you do the stuff outlined there and get back to us.