Recently during a storm i was on my computer and it was turned off by the power outage that lasted like 5 seconds.. when i went to turn my computer back on i was faced with 5 options.. starting windows normally, using windows last known config that worked, starting windows in safe mode and starting windows with networking... i clicked on start windows normally and my computer proceeded to the loading windows xp screen.. then it just stopped? almost as if i pressed restart and it restarted again.. it returns me to the screen.. i tried it again and same result.. i tried all the other options and nothing.. My computer simply does not load up past the windows xp screen. Can anyone tell me whats wrong?

So it will not boot into Safe Mode?

What type of XP CD do you have? Is it Microsoft or was XP pre installed? If the latter who is the manufacturer of the computer?

no it doesn't boot up in safe mode.. and i have a normal windows xp disc.. home edition preinstalled xp and the manufacturer is IBM..

Is it a Microsoft disc or an IBM disc?

If IBM what is the model of the computer?

well the ibm disc for the xp.. and i'm not sure of the model... i really need to get back on this computer to retrieve some of my files.. i do not want to just reinstall xp

You can browse IBM for recovery options:

http://www.ibm.com/support/troubleshooting/us/

Short of reinstalling I was going to suggest the Recovery Console to fix the boot.

This is simple on a Microsoft disc but I have no idea about an IBM disc. They are not the same.

If your data is important then you can always slave this drive on another computer to extract it.

I would search the IBM site for Recovery options. If it were a Microsoft disc this is the proceedure:




If you cannot boot into any aspect of Safe Mode options then you will need a boot disk.

If you have a retail version of XP CD then:

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 intact:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

If your XP was OEM (pre installed) you will need to check with your manufacturer or manual for their specific Recovery Options.

Do you have Recovery CDs? What is the exact make and model of the computer? The manufacturer's web site will have their process.