Right all computer guys,need a bit of help with the wifes laptop!

Basically the thing won't boot up!-she hasn't added any h/ware etc and the last time she used it -it was fine! :confused:

Had a little play tonight,but I aint no 'puter bod!-got to a screen with the recovery cd (Windows XP) and says choose a partition-the one that is loaded

is showing 280 odd Mb-is this right?-cos it just seems a little small to me?

When I tried another partition it says it's too small for the install and requires

1100 odd Mb??!!-errr...I'm lost! :(

PK1 is your man m8

Hope he's here then! :D

mate whats it doing appart from not booting up? the free space in the partitions youve just mentioned isnt enough to run win xp (or 98 for that matter really) so it seems like windows is probably still intact.

 

You might get away with just installing windows over the top and then with some luck it may boot up correctly (assuming your getting no errors on windows startup currently )

mate whats it doing appart from not booting up? the free space in the partitions youve just mentioned isnt enough to run win xp (or 98 for that matter really) so it seems like windows is probably still intact.

 

You might get away with just installing windows over the top and then with some luck it may boot up correctly (assuming your getting no errors on windows startup currently )

When it's switched on,you get a screnn saying sorry for the inconveniance etc....and options to boot in safe mode,last known etc,but won't boot in any of em'!-just swithes off and trys to re-boot and the same thing happens again! :confused:

you should be able to get away with installing windows over the top of the current install. Do you have the windows xp cd or just the recovery disc (ie the one that wants to restore your pc to the factory settings..= bad!!)

 

If you do have an xp cd then the best thing to do is stick it in the cd.dvd drive, boot off it and run the install as if its the first time...

 

If you select the same directory as the current windows install (normally c:\windows) the windows install "should" then repair the major components of the install so you can reboot into windows. In my opinion, if it does restart; take that chance to back up everything you changed since youve had it just incase windows crunches again.

 

From there you could put in the recovery disc if you needed a fresh install

No aint' got the install disc mate,just a recovery disc that came with it! :(

Just gone into bios and in the main screen it says the hard disc is disabled or is not present!?-does that sound right? :headvswal

NO, might be worth doing a scan, modern bios nearly always have an automatic mode.. or scan / search that allows them to autodetect the hard drive..

 

The bios should tell you how to change each setting.. normally page up/down or left rigtht on the cursor keys... however if the laptop is partially booting windows then it is seeing the hard drive and it might just be a section of the bios for second drives your seeing...

restore that bios to factory settings. ( and make sure no floppy is in the drive ) then if all else fails back up everything to a cd and format. if you need a windows xp cd pm your address and ill post one to you. hth if not get back to me

If BIOS says HDD is not present, the it cannot see it. Usually happens when drive is on it's way out or dead. COuld just be a dodgy connection in the drive bay though. Is it one where you can take the drive out without too much trouble?

hi matey..

 

having lamp shader post you an xp cd wont sort things out as you will have to then go online to authorise and now the servers have changed you also need to install and run the genuine validation tool, there is also a gdi detection tool that does more than they tell you, also an xp systen check that cross matches versions to serials, this then blocks access. when you try and do an online auth it wont, then you will need to generate a new install serial and ring by freephone, you enter the large serial and then confirm the first 6 digits, they will know then if its not legal, if you manage to slip through you still wont get past the gvt check or the gdi routine.

 

it is possible that the drives boot sectors and bootblock are corrupt, it is possible to re-write the drives id boot sectors as most manufacturers put the drives id boot info on their websites for download, this will allow you to re-write the drives main id and info boot sectors ie: tells the computer its a maxtor drive/model/capacity/free sectors/read-write offsets/the list goes on.

Thats the firtst option before you throw a drive away, then you fix the xp boot sectors, then start running chkdsk routines..

 

the easy option is to pull the drive and fit new, however you would need a new xp cd, i can supply you both at trade price and send them 24hr delivery.

 

give me a call on 01873 855174

 

simon