Hi all.. my pc has been fine for 2yrs and i turned it on the other day and it beeped 3 times then stopped and beeped the same again so i tried to restart it but it just would not start up i tried allsorts f8 and i got it to reach the option to start up in safe mode but when i tried the safe mode option th pc just got to windows loading and it restarted but would not load widows. i tried to reinstall windows but after the pc has loaded the drivers before a new install i get a blue screen with errors and the pc wont allow me to do anything. i have had the memory out back in same with other hardware but nothing. some one suggested to me that my hard drive controller has packed up help. :-/

Please post the exact error messages.

Do you have a PCI IDE controller or are you suspecting the onboard IDE connection?

The BIOS should detect either of these or not. Do you know the manufacturer of your hard drive?

Try the diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Do you know what type of BIOS you have? A list of beep codes here:

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Have you tested the RAM? http://www.memtest86.com/

Originally Posted by jephree

Please post the exact error messages.

Do you have a PCI IDE controller or are you suspecting the onboard IDE connection?

The BIOS should detect either of these or not. Do you know the manufacturer of your hard drive?

Try the diagnostic: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Do you know what type of BIOS you have? A list of beep codes here:

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Have you tested the RAM? http://www.memtest86.com/

hi jephree.
i have tested the ram and all seems ok i have two strips of 512 in an as i say the pc detects the hard drive when it starts up but when it gets to the windows screen it just restarts so i can never get any further after a few restarts it goes to the point where i'm told to start up in safe mode and as i try that the dam thing just restarts instead of going on to the safe mode thus taking me back to the option of starting up in safe mode but it never gets past because of restarting and as for the error message it is only on for a few seconds i cant get to read it its always different. virtual memory was one i left the pc on all night downloading' when i got up there was a blue screen saying something like your pc has been shut down to protect it from something virtual memory if you installed new hardware remove or check to see if its installed but i havent done anything to it at all
cheers sorry but i'm a little slow.

Wait and see if there are any other suggestions but it might be time to boot it from your Windows CD and do a Repair Installation on Windows, then re-install your drivers and any service packs

Originally Posted by DJNafey

Wait and see if there are any other suggestions but it might be time to boot it from your Windows CD and do a Repair Installation on Windows, then re-install your drivers and any service packs

Hi DJNafey.
But i dont want to waste your lots time and appreciate all the help but even with a boot from cd the pc still does the same it wont even let me do a repair or even reinstall windows because it just restarts. i even tried the hard drive from my pc which i am using now. so its done my head in. it recognises all the drives come to load windows no it just wants to restarts not letting me in. :-((
reegards.
stoddy2k01.

What type of XP CD do you have? A Microsoft retail or an OEM from your manufacturer?

If the former, when you boot it, can you describe step by step what happens?

Is your CD drive set in the BIOS to boot prior to the hard drive?

If your XP is OEM you need to consult your manual or your manufacturer's web site for specific Recovery Options.

If you have a Microsoft XP CD:

If you cannot boot into Windows I would suggest first trying the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307654

To try to fix the boot:

Assuming that your XP is on C: then:

Type:

FIXMBR C:

then enter. After that completes type:

FIXBOOT C:

then enter. After that completes type:

BOOTCFG /rebuild

then enter. After that completes type:

EXIT

then reboot.

If in the process you are asked to run chkdsk say YES.

Also after the BOOTCFG /rebuild you will be prompted to:

C:\Windows
1. Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
2. Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
3. Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)

Reply:
1. Yes
2. XP
3. /fastdetect

If this fails you can run a Repair Install that will leave your data entact:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm