Laptop in a loop at boot up - wont start

Axwell

Friend asked me to look at their laptop because it wouldnt start.

Basically when turned on the laptop comes up with

"We apologize for the inconvenience but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this."

It then gives options to start in

Safe Mode, Safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt, last known safe configuration or start normally.

No matter which one I choose the result is the same. The laptop brings up the windows xp screen as if it is about to start, then a blue screen flashes up for a split second. I had to record it on my phone to find out what it said, the message on it is

"A problem has been detected and windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer"

It says if this is the first time this has appeared restart the computer, remove any anti virus, defrag and backup utilities. Check the hard drive configuration and run CHDSK. I cant do any of this as it wont boot in any mode or to the command prompt.

This flashes up for a split second before looping back to the text at the top with the opions of safe mode etc and just keeps going through the same process no matter what I do.

Any ideas????

Antar Bolaeisk

You could try running through the commands via the recovery console available on XP disks. Have a look here

Unfortunately you'll need a disk with the same service pack as the system though you can download a Recovery Disk on the internet (just do a search for it) which should be the most up to date.

Failing that try a repair installation or else get your hands on a Live CD like Linux Mint or Ubuntu, copy over any files you want and re-install Windows.

Axwell

I put a windows cd in and set the boot up to start with the cd rom but it still goes through the same booting loop as above.

ricman

Set bios to boot prority cd =0, or cdrom - first boot, try f8 ,safe mode,directory services restore mode.
set hd 0 to boot priority 3 or 4.
or try safe mode , dos prompt, browse to drive d: ,
cd d: then setup from dos mode.
see here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307848

kleefarr

Hit F8 and disable Auto Restart (If the option is there.)
Then we'll know more about the problem.

Axwell

ricman wrote: »

Set bios to boot prority cd =0, or cdrom - first boot, try f8 ,safe mode,directory services restore mode.
set hd 0 to boot priority 3 or 4.
or try safe mode , dos prompt, browse to drive d: ,
cd d: then setup from dos mode.
see here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307848

As I said above I already set the cd to be first boot option but it still goes through the loop without running the cd.

Theres no disable Auto Restart either, very few options in the setup

Antar Bolaeisk

Can you try another bootable CD just in case it's the cd at fault.

Failing that perhaps try using a bootable flash drive (easiest if you have access to Vista or Win7 or you can use the hpusbfw utility) and copy over the winows installation disk onto that.