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General discussion

Help with Pavillion ze1210 - Boot process loops

Mar 18, 2005 12:33AM PST

Hello all. First post in this forum. I am trying to help out a friend who's having an issue with her pavillion ze1210 laptop.

When you power it on, it goes to the menu selection screen where it mentions all the lingo about how windows did not start properly, etc. It gives the option of starting normally, in safe mode, last good configuration, etc.

No matter which option is selected the laptop displays the windowsxp home logo, acts as though it's going to load, and then... it goes away, displays an error message with a blue background and then attempts to restart all over again. It's like the machine is caught in a loop.

The error message displays too quickly for me to see what it says. I did manage to run the ediagtools and it shows that there are no problems.

As of now, my friend can't find the recovery cds but she's looking for them.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to how to attempt to fix this problem? Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

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Is it under warranty?
Mar 18, 2005 12:38AM PST

If so, let them fix it.

Next, given that you can't make to to the command line safe mode prompt, you're stuck with a windows reinstall given the information provided. Use the method HP tells you to use and see if it allows you to save user files.

Usually this is a (second) lesson about backup. I bet there is going to be a follow up question about how to save the files. Here's one way -> http://tips.oncomputers.info/archives2004/0401/2004-Jan-11.htm

Bob

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Not under warranty
Mar 18, 2005 1:02AM PST

Thanks for the tip on backing up the files on the hard drive. I've always been curious about Knoppix and this will give me an excuse to try it out.

Only problem I still have is my friend is unable to locate the recovery cds. I know that in dealing with some other hp pcs that they are extremely picky about using their specific cds for reinstallation, etc.

Any helpful advice on that topic? Thanks again for the help.

Patrick

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Recovery CDs.
Mar 18, 2005 1:38AM PST

That is a call and order issue. If you want to shell out 200 to 300 bucks for the OS, that's fine, but most won't and there a freighter sized pothole in that installing the Retail OS involves collecting and installing far too many drivers and is beyond most.

Bob