Windows XP problems.

[hoo]

Hey guys, my mom gave me an old computer to mess around with, but the problem is that whenyl you boot it up, the windows XP logo will start up, but the blue screen if death occurs before it will reach anything else. Here's a screenshot.

[CrypticQuery]

If you haven't replaced the hard drive recently, I think that it is safe to assume that a system file/directory for Windows XP has corrupted. If you have the installation CD, now would be a good time to boot from it instead of your hard drive and run chkdsk to make sure that your hard drive isn't toast.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297185

 

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2605/fixing_the_dreaded_unmountable_boot_volume_error/

[Gestalt]

If you don't have the disc and you still want to make use of the hardware you might try installing a new OS.

 

a) Linux, more specifically: ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

b) Win7 trial (90 days): http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-7-enterprise

 

The only problem I can foresee with going ubuntu is that your wifi may not work right off the bat, especially with some flavors of Broadcom wireless.

[hoo]

If I were to get one of those, how would I put it on? I can't get past the loading screen. It just gives me the blue screen of death for like a second, then reboots itself.

[CrypticQuery]

If the trial file can be booted from directly, you can burn it onto a disc using another, working, computer, and then insert the disc into the blue-screening one. When the BIOS splash screen shows up, press the key to enter the BIOS and set the boot device to the CD drive instead of the hard drive.

 

Alternatively, you could purchase an OEM copy of Windows 7 or [Windows 8.1] for around $100 and boot from its CD instead. I'm pretty sure that the OEM copies tie their licenses to your motherboard, so in the event that you have to replace your hard drive you can still use that same copy of Windows.

[hoo]

Okay, thanks.

[DZComposer]

Make sure you check the sysreqs. Don't upgrade from XP if the machine can't handle it. Though if you've lost the Windows disc, your options will be limited.

[hoo]

Thanks DZ, totally forgot about that. I was thinking about Vista, but I'll go check.

[Sideways]

DZ's got a really good point here. Depending on your specs, you might find it difficult to run anything past Vista/7 on the machine.

If you're lucky, you might have an OEM CD Key on the case or the underside of a laptop. You can then find a Windows XP OEM CD iso and reinstall, but at this point I'd recommend seeing if your PC can handle anything past XP, or move to a linux based OS, it'd probably be safer then XP considering that Microsoft no longer provides support for XP.

[hoo]

Could I just stick the file on any type of disk and load it up? Or does it have to be a specific kind?

[Gestalt]

You can't go wrong with a blank DVD

[hoo]

Alright. Thanks.

[Sideways]

If your PC was from an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), make sure you find an OEM CD iso, otherwise your key probably won't be accepted. Had that happen to me.

[hoo]

So. Let me get this straight.

1. Make sure the machine is not from an OEM.

2. Find windows file.

3. Dowload file, put it on a blank DVD/CD disk.

4. Put it in the computer.

5. Boot from the disk.

 

So, that's all. Right?

[CrypticQuery]

6: Run chkdsk to test the integrity of your HDD before you reinstall an OS onto it.

 

Other than that, that sounds about right. Good luck!

[DZComposer]

Alternatively, you could attempt to fix this install (may not work). You can boot from ANY windows XP disc and select "Recovery Console" by pressing R. This will bring-up a command prompt. You will need the admin password. Then run the following commands:

Monospaced Text

fixboot

chkdsk /r

 

This will rebuild the bootsector and check the filesystem for errors, fixing any fixable ones as it goes. chkdsk may take hours to run.

 

1. Make sure the machine is not from an OEM.

You need to check if it is an OEM license. I would guess it probably is, as it sounds like you didn't build this machine. Microsoft makes special builds of its OSes for Dell, HP, and I think a couple of others. If you have a Dell, you'd need the Dell XP disc for that key to work.

 

2. Find windows file.

This will be the tricky part. You'll need the version for your OEM. Look at the product ID on the license sticker. Compare it to this list: http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Product_IDs

 

3. Dowload file, put it on a blank DVD/CD disk.

Make sure you do a "burn image." Simply putting the .iso file on a data disk will give you a non-bootable disc with an .iso file on it.

 

4. Put it in the computer.

5. Boot from the disk.

You may need to change the boot order in the BIOS if it does not boot from the disc. Though some BIOSes will give you an option to bring-up a boot device selection menu (usually F12, but I have seen F8 [WHICH IS REALLY DUMB]).

 

6: Run chkdsk to test the integrity of your HDD before you reinstall an OS onto it.

chkdsk will only check the filesystem. He would need to do a full format, not a quick one, to flag bad sectors. Though to really check the drive, he'd need the diagnostic tool from the drive's manufacturer (Data Lifeguard for WD, SeaTools for Seagate, Etc.).

Given the machine's age, though, I'd say the HDD is probably done for.

Is this a desktop or a laptop?

[hoo]

Given the machine's age, though, I'd say the HDD is probably done for.

Is this a desktop or a laptop?

Laptop.

 

EDIT: I did find the product key, if that's the same thing. However, it has a different amount of numbers than what it should have according to the website you linked me to.

[DZComposer]

You want the product ID, not the product key. It should be above the product key. It may not be labeled as such, depending on the sticker.