Computer issue...need ideas...please!

**mombottoo** · 01-02-2010, 06:34 PM

Ok, we had our power going on & off which sent the puter into a tizzy. Now, it won't reboot as it should, but will reboot in safe mode which is where I am at right now.

Any ideas on how to solve the problem. It gets past the initial company logo page, but when it gets to the next step it tries to finish but then freezes. I have a Dell with Windows XP home edition on it.

I have been working on the issue for about 3 hours and have tried everything and I do mean everything that I could think of. Even went to the Dell site and went through all the trouble shooting stuff. Any ideas would be appreciated.

**ladytoysdream** · 01-02-2010, 06:44 PM

Is the computer you are posting with, the one in safe mode right now ?

**ladytoysdream** · 01-02-2010, 06:45 PM

Is it in safe mode, or does you screen look black and white ?

**mombottoo** · 01-02-2010, 06:47 PM

I'm in safe mode right now & I still have all my colors.

**ladytoysdream** · 01-02-2010, 07:00 PM

Not sure if this will work on your machine. I have a XP on this computer and just tried the instructions I have and cannot find what I need . Maybe you can with yours.
Instructions are for my old Compaq Presaurio that has a win98 and done this stunt several times to me. Now retired in the other room, and only used for a back up machine.

go to start, then settings, then control panel.
Then system,
maybe there is something in there that could help you.

If not, then a trip to the computer person would be my next step.

**mombottoo** · 01-02-2010, 07:06 PM

Thanks! I think I'm going to try & repair windows through the cd option...what the heck all I can do is kill it completely. Guess it must be getting close to time to get a new puter any way!

If I don't kill it, while trying to cure it, I'll be back.

**Pianolady** · 01-02-2010, 11:44 PM

If repair doesn't work, try formatting your hard drive and reinstalling the operating system before buying a new computer.

**KeithBC** · 01-02-2010, 11:57 PM

The repair option is your best bet. If the problem arose because of power fluctuations, something got corrupted on your disk. The repair option on your CD is the only reasonable way to fix it.

Things to watch out for:

Before you reinstall anything, look for any files you don't want to lose. While you are in Safe Mode, copy them onto any other disk you have: a second hard disk, a floppy disk, a CR-R, a memory stick. It doesn't matter what you use, but you want to have a backup copy of important files before you take any action. This is what Safe Mode is for.

Most installation CDs have an option that re-installs the entire system. Use that as a last resort if nothing else works, because it will erase your entire disk and all the files on it. Try anything else first. Often there will be a Repair option that you should try before going to a re-install. The possibility of having to reformat your disk is why you need to backup important files before you start.

If you have to re-install, you will be removing any Windows updates that you may have installed since you got the computer. Most of these are security-related. Depending on how old your XP was, you may need to go to the Microsoft website to download and install updates that were released since you bought your computer. (This is a good idea even if you haven't re-installed the system.)

**frugalfranny** · 01-03-2010, 12:08 AM

Why couldn't you do a system restore? - back about a few days? Don't know - not a computer nerd but that is one thing I would try first.......easy to do at accessories and you don't lose any files.....other than ones since the date you put in.

Hope you get it fixed MB......HATE computer problems!

**shoiji** · 01-03-2010, 10:47 AM

I just did a system restore yesterday since it was saying I had worms and really bad viruses. Was really easy to do. The system restore was backed up to a safe date (when computer was working fine) and restored to that date. Luckily I kept my head on when talking with customer service. I usually get really anxious about that kind of stuff. The system restore was done when the computer was in safe mode.

**Surilda** · 01-03-2010, 12:58 PM

Good to hear you got your problem fixed! Computer
problems can be so frustrating!!

FF, I think you are more of a computer nerd than you
realized!

**mombottoo** · 01-03-2010, 02:01 PM

Tried system restore...didn't work. Tried installation cd, wouldn't let me use it since I have a newer model (due to updates). All is not lost though, I have a friend coming over this afternoon who is very computer savvy and she is going to see what she can do.

Already ordered a new computer...if this one can be salvaged this is the one that everybody else is going to use.