Help me with computer issues...

[Paul R]

So I was using my laptop just fine earlier today until some Anti Virus message (AVG) came up and locked my computer up until it turned off. I tried to turn it back on and it came to a screen telling me that Windows (XP) failed to start and I have the option to boot in:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration
Start Windows Normally

I have tried all of the options and it just does the same thing. All it does is flash the XP immage and then crash before it does anything. I cant type anything anywhere or do anything other than select the different ways to boot.

Am I totally screwed or is there something I could do?

 

[JeeperG]

So you can't get into safe mode at all? Tap f8 while booting.

 

[Paul R]

Thanks for the reply! I need my laptop for school and it would be awesome to get it working again! that brings up an advanced menu and I scroll to safe mode and does the same is there something else i should try on the advanced menu.

 

[projektdotnet]

if it won't even boot into safe mode there's something seriously wrong but being that I have not used Windows OS in YEARS I have no idea how to help.

 

[Rusted]

Safe mode or Last Known Good Configuration are your best options. If those don't work you are in trouble. I would try safe mode a few times, like maybe 10 to see if anything ever works. And make sure you give it time, things work very slow in safe mode. Does the crash screen give you any more hints? Are you getting the blue screen?

How much data is important on your drive? Chances are pretty good that you can still get the data off your drive at this point. Is there any "gotta have that" type of data you need? If not i would just format it, put windows back on and go on with life. If there is important data there are a few options, some more risky with faster results (like try to install windows over windows), or less risky like instaling the drive in an external enclosure and using another PC to pull the data off the drive

Is there any warrenty with your laptop?

 

[Paul R]

I have tried all the different options and they all crash immediately after selecting it and it shows the XP screen, except I can get a blue screen that says UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME when I select "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and it explains that windows has been shut down to prevent damage and gives technical codes.
*** STOP: 0X000000ED (0X823428D0, 0XC0000032, 0X00000000, 0X00000000) But I don't have have a clue what all that means.
I am ok with a computer once inside windows but I have never had to deal with this kind of stuff and I am kind of retarded with it all. I have some files that I would really like but it is more important to get up and running than to get all my stuff. How would I go about formating it if everything I select crashes the machine? Are most laptops Hard drives compatible? I do have a one year warranty which is not up yet but it might be only on hardware.

Thank you for your help I really appreciate it.

 

[Rusted]

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME is the best clue. Something on that hard drive is making it so windows can't boot. (like you did not already know that). The "starting windows" piece is comming from that hard drive, so it is at least reading something off that drive.


Are most laptops Hard drives compatible? YES

How would I go about formating it if everything I select crashes the machine? I guess your laptop came with a windows CD. If you put that in the computer and reboot it should come to some sort of a prompt asking what you want to do. I would expect that from there you can get back to a factory computer install.

What brand of computer is this? It maybe worth a warrenty call or a support call to the manufacture to have them walk you through the install. They can probalby do it much faster than you would think.

 

[waynehartwig]

I'd try safemode with no wireless or network connection. IE leave your ethernet cable unplugged and completely remove your wireless card if you have one - compltetly eliminate the possibility of obtaining any network communication. Sometimes removing all network access will allow it to function properly and allow you to get into your system and remove the bug that was installed.