Hi, I wrote a post a week ago about my computer: basically I can't
even get into Windows now, it just goes to the "set up" screen where
it asks you if you want "safe mode" or regular windows; no matter what
I pick, the screen reboots right back into the same screen. I can't
get into any mode of windows. It's Windows xp on a dell computer. No
one had an answer how to get out of that screen.

I realized I'm just going to have to reinstall windows. Of course, I
can't even do that now because I can't get out of that screen. Is
there anyway to reinstall windows via that set up screen? Or should I
just toss this computer out the window which I'm just about ready to
do? Thanks for any help.

<oldbones55@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1cf2590b-f9cb-4378-89f0-f3b3b2094179@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...

You do not re-install windows by booting to it...
you need to boot from your recovery CD.

Before you do that...
youmay want o
try running a RAM test
and run the mfg's harddrive diagnostic

On Feb 10, 12:25*pm, "philo" <ph...@privacy.net> wrote:
How do I boot from the recovery? I have the windows disk that came
with the computer and put it in the drive but I can't get anything
other than the 'setup screen." I can't run any tests or anything
because I can only get that one screen. thanks.

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:


you should have a system restore disk or full OS disk. Put it in the
cd drive and follow the instructions

If you haven't then either buy one or get one of these
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
--

On Feb 10, 12:34*pm, "Alang" <inva...@invalid.co.uk> wrote:
I have the original disk that comes with the computer, but I put it in
and it doesn't do anything. The computer just keeps rebooting to the
"setup" screen.

<oldbones55@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5b16a5bf-08d5-4978-b2ba-c5c93b41d072@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
On Feb 10, 12:34 pm, "Alang" <inva...@invalid.co.uk> wrote:
I have the original disk that comes with the computer, but I put it in
and it doesn't do anything. The computer just keeps rebooting to the
"setup" screen.

Put in the disc and then go into the Boot Menu at startup....probably F10 or
F12 and set it to boot from CDROM first.

You may also need to change your boot order so that CD drive is booted
before you hard drive. You can change the boot order in the BIOS of
the computer. You motherboard/computer manual will have information.
Most newer PC also can select what device to boot to by pressing f12
at boot. So, put in you XP CD and and just before the Dell loading
screen ends press F12 and select CD ROM drive

hi
just a thought, have you tried a different keyboard.
perhaps the f10 or whatever is stuck.
hackandtack
<oldbones55@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1cf2590b-f9cb-4378-89f0-f3b3b2094179@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...

On Feb 10, 3:22*pm, oldbone...@hotmail.com wrote:
My computer did this 2 weeks ago. Have windows xp. I had no options,
as it sounds that you do. I hit f11 key, to do a pc recovery. Thats
all i did, and followed prompts through. I didnt lose anything. I
couldnt even get my Norton securtiy installed for weeks, things got
worse and worse, Then, I couldnt get my windows to open, like what you
are going through. After i hit the f11 key, everything was good, and
my norton installed, after 2 weeks of online chats with norton and
microsoft about both problems. I had no backup cd, but, your settings
are in your computer, you will have all the necessary items when
complete. I dont know about security though, maybe should ask someone
about that. I was running Kaspersky trial at the time, for above
mentioned reasons, it did delete that out. But that was just a trial,
so if you have regular securtiy installed it may be ok. Thats the one
thing i would like to know as well. In case this ever happens again.

<oldbones55@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9987309d-cdc6-4606-87b6-10704d86c933@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On Feb 10, 12:25 pm, "philo" <ph...@privacy.net> wrote:
How do I boot from the recovery? I have the windows disk that came
with the computer and put it in the drive but I can't get anything
other than the 'setup screen." I can't run any tests or anything
because I can only get that one screen. thanks.


yes, just put the recovery disk in the machine and let it perform the
recovery

Check the bios settings to make sure it is set to boot first from cdrom

"hackandtack" <hackandtackyourteeth@yourteethtiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:47af6256$1_4@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
1. I suppose you have entered BISO setup and confirmed everything is set as
it should be there?

2. You may chose boot order: First/Second or whatever hard drive, CD - or
floppy.

3. If you you chose boot from CD as first boot device; from CD the machine
will boot.

4. Or you may set hard drives to 'none' just to see what happens, whether
the machine still ignore the CD.

5. If you are able to boot from CD, the next step is to delete what you have
on the hard drive, delete the partitions, reinitialize the disk or whatever
it takes to get it working- if you can sacrifice that. Otherwise, you would
have to be able to read the hard drive first, maybe by installing another
hard drive as your new C:-drive, and hope that your old drive is readable.

6. In case you actually are able to boot the machine from your CD, you may
perhaps find an option to install a second version of your OS. When
installation hopefully is completed OK, On reboot you will get the option of
selection which version of the installed systems you want to boot.

7. If nothing works, bad luck, find a better guru than me. After all, I am
77...

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:
Go here http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
read the entire process from beginning to end and then follow it.

--
Art

On Feb 10, 2:40*pm, Art <Arte...@spamtrap.invalid> wrote:
It wouldn't let me go f12, it kept giving me "doesn't recognize
keyboard" error, but somehow I got it to work once and was able to
reinstall windows. I lost a lot of good software that I don't have the
original disks to anymore but it's working fine now. I appreciate
everyone's input here, this is a very helpful group that has helped me
many times in the past.

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:
I am surprised that you lost some good software.
It's probably too late now, but what steps did you take to reinstall
WindowsXP?

On Feb 10, 6:40*pm, "Buffalo" <E...@nada.com.invalid> wrote:
I hit f12,went to the disk and it installed. It wiped out everything.

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:
If you had followed the advice that told you to go to
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm and followed those
instructions, you would in all likelihood still have your applications.

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:
....
Are you saying the disc that came with your computer is aWindows CD,
not a manufacturer's "recovery" CD?

If so, boot from a floppy, select "CD support", change via DOS to your
CD drive (which will be one letter higher than normal) and "run setup"


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

oldbones55@hotmail.com wrote:
Zero the drive first.



--
http://www.bootdisk.com/