Help! Windows XP --> Autoupdate --> now wont boot

.Longshanks.

Help! **N00b alert**

My other halfs laptop was bought just as Vista was launched but is running XP (gives you idea how old it is)

Recently she has said that it is being more and more slow, so last night i ran the in house system clean up from the start menu. Once this was done i noticed a pop up saying there were 32 updates available! She never shuts it down properly - just puts it to sleep by closing the lid.

Anyways i ran the auto updates and 4 hours later everything was complete. I did notice that 3 (i think) of the 32 updates failed to install. These may have been something about security. I didn't pay much attention to them, but they were definitely all the same error.

Anyways i selected ok let the laptop run its restart. But now it fails to boot.

When it turns on it goes to the black screen saying start via
- Safe mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe mode with command prompt

- Last known good configuration

- Start windows normally.

NONE of these work for me. It just goes around in a circle and back to this same screen, No backup disk was ever created and i had no boot disk (original box is attic never came with one)

How can i fix this? I have full internet access via my mac.

There is nothing on her laptop of value and can be wiped if necessary.


Edit
Its a compaq presario c300

MrAbc

I suppose you've got a few options with no XP disc...


...borrow a WinXP boot disc: might resusitate your system easily or, failing that, just re-install freshly(provided you've got your original license number). Either way you could make yourself a rescue CD before returning the borrowed disc

...the DIY approach (lots of learning): see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiren%27s_boot_CD
getting a boot disc from http://www.hirensbootcd.net/ Careful resusitation might be possible.

...check for a hidden recovery partition: see http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=110&prodSeriesId=3213865&prodTypeId=321957&objectID=buh07342 This erases everything.

...shell out €€€'s for a copy of XP/(maybe even Windows7 depending on the laptop specs)

or

...ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download


Probably in that order. Unless ubuntu is more tempting for a trial, that is

NB: with a WinXP system disc you can run through these typical options: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6031733.html
#8 on the list is notable anyway without a disc.

danjo-xx

There was a ms update recently that prevented my computer winXP from booting up, and from safe mode I did a system restore to an earlier date and that solved my problem. Might be worth a try.

Cluster

Longshanks100 wrote: »

Help! **N00b alert**

My other halfs laptop was bought just as Vista was launched but is running XP (gives you idea how old it is)

Recently she has said that it is being more and more slow, so last night i ran the in house system clean up from the start menu. Once this was done i noticed a pop up saying there were 32 updates available! She never shuts it down properly - just puts it to sleep by closing the lid.

Anyways i ran the auto updates and 4 hours later everything was complete. I did notice that 3 (i think) of the 32 updates failed to install. These may have been something about security. I didn't pay much attention to them, but they were definitely all the same error.

Anyways i selected ok let the laptop run its restart. But now it fails to boot.

When it turns on it goes to the black screen saying start via
- Safe mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe mode with command prompt

- Last known good configuration

- Start windows normally.

NONE of these work for me. It just goes around in a circle and back to this same screen, No backup disk was ever created and i had no boot disk (original box is attic never came with one)

How can i fix this? I have full internet access via my mac.

There is nothing on her laptop of value and can be wiped if necessary.


Edit
Its a compaq presario c300

You need the 'windows cd' that came with the laptop. It will give you an option of fixing that copy of windows on the laptop. The laptop comes with the OS as you bought it so the CD has to be given to you at purchase. If not go back to the shop and ask for it.

If you dont have the cd, you'll have to get a new copy of windows.