Hey. I am having a problem with this error and I have read many posts about it but my problem is different than most. I was just on my computer and it froze so I had to shut it down the wrong way. On the reboot I get to the screen where you choose if you want to start up in safe mode or normally. My problem is that none of the startup types work...I can't get back onto my computer at all. And I have never gotten that error message before on this computer. And also, my error message was very very difficult to read...what I mean is that it flashes for about less than a second and then it brings me back to the startup choices, so I have to try to startup again about 1000 times until I can actually finish reading every word of the error message. I left my disc in Calgary, Alberta at my Dad's place so I don't have it here right now to reboot windows, but I don't think it matter because i cant even get past the startup screen so I won't be able to even boot the disc. Also, since most of the problems is hardware and software related for this error, I unplugged everything and chose to start-up in normal mode, and this time i got father but then there is a different error screen that comes up still before I get onto my computer and it says "keyboard error, press f4 to resume" and I press f4 but nothing happens and I go back to the screen where you chose to start-up normally or safe mode. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can fix this problem?

If your BIOS is getting you to Windows then it will boot disks and that is what you need to do.

Just make sure that the BIOS boot menu is: (1) Floppy (2) CD (3) HDD.

Since you don't have your CD you're limited to trying the Recovery Console from the 6 floppy setup boot disks as seen here:

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

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 will need to get your XP CD and run a Repair Install that will leave your data intact:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

If this is a hardware issue the first thing to try is a diagnostic on your hard drive. Again this will be a boot floppy. Here is a list of the major manufacturers:

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