Computer Emergency!!!! Please help!!!

[sarren]

Dragonfly took her laptop to a study group and when she turned it on it was fucked!! and she has a big assignment due Tuesday!!!



It started up in DOS. The screen reads:

- Safe Mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known God Config
(your most recent settings that worked)
Start Windows Normally


It cycles through -
- windows XP screen
- blue screen with words and numbers that flash through too fast too read
- Acer screen
- back to DOS with countdown and startup options.


Dragonfly tried all those settings. Then she took the battery out and used just the power. Then she tried fully charging the battery first.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bigjobbies_/]

so if you try starting in safe mode, it bombs ?

[sarren.livejournal.com]

It keeps on in the cycle mode.

[victorian-tweed.livejournal.com]

Mr Tweed suggests:

1. hit re-start (or alt control delete) to restart the computer
2. depress the F8 key as it restarts, keep it held down until the safe mode screen comes up
3. go into safe mode
4. go to start - accessories - system tools - restore. Pick a restart point from a period BEFORE the problem began. Restore from this.

GOOD LUCK.

[victorian-tweed.livejournal.com]

I always share my playthings! ;-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bigjobbies_/]

looks like you are in good hands....

jic - looks like #8 to me...
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877_11-6031733.html

[kremmen.livejournal.com]

Could be. In which case, #1 on that list is a good starting point to trying to fix it. Indeed, in almost all situation for all operating systems, if the hard disk is having trouble booting, try to boot off other media.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That site says to use the xp disk too, but we can't risk it if there's ANy chance at all that it might wipe Jen's assignment. Is there any chance?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bigjobbies_/]

windows startup disk is not the same as the xp install disk.
I'm going to assume you haven't made a startup disk.

if you can prevent the automatic startup (see #8) you may be able to find out what is on the blue screen - ie some clue as to the problem.

you may be able to use the restore tool (see #4) - usually pretty good - but no promises re: data destruction

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Thanks for trying to help, we don't really know enough to faff around and risk losing everything. Into the shop it goes *sigh*

[emma-in-oz.livejournal.com]

Have you tried turning it off and then on again?

[sarren.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*