Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Trouble Loading Windows XP

by gls44 6 Jun 29, 2007 2:17AM PDT

I have been told by HP Support that I have a virus. Here's what's happening with my Compaq Presario. When I go to turn on the pc it starts to attempt to load Windows XP but stops at a box that basically asks for me to make Microsoft Outlook my default mail box. If you click OK or X out of that box, Windows still will not load. I even cannot get to Safe Mode after selecting it. Should I try selecting Safe Mode with Networking? What is another way to get to my files to back some up, then reload the entire system software, again? Thanks.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts

- Collapse + Expand Details

- Collapse -

YES!

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 29, 2007 2:24AM PDT

Try all safe mode options. Don't leave any untried.

Bob

- Collapse -

Still won't load

by gls44 6 Jun 29, 2007 10:43AM PDT

The safe mode options do not come up, either. What about selecting Last Known Good Configuration or any of those other settings?

- Collapse -

Then we need to look at a REPAIR INSTALL. (links about)

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 29, 2007 11:55AM PDT

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=XP+REPAIR+INSTALL

This applies to those that own a "real" XP CD and preferably the XP SP2 Retail CD.

Bob

- Collapse -

Yes, yes.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 29, 2007 11:55AM PDT

Sorry, do try the LKGC.

Bob

- Collapse -

trouble

by geezer10 Jun 29, 2007 7:56AM PDT

you are in a tricky situation - what i would do is:

Purchase a new hard drive and replace old one. The new drive needs to be configured the same as the old one - probably with the CS (CableSelect) option else it should be Master.
Then use restore disk to reinstall windows.
Now attach old hardrive as slave (slave position is marked on ribbon cable using CS scheme)
Backup old files using Windows Explorer. the old drive will probably appear as E:
the old drive need not be erased and indeed becomes a backup record in itself.
I am assuming you have EIDE drive; SATA drives do not need configuring as master/slave/cs - but you may need to adjust boot sequence

Alternatively you could install the drive as a slave in another computer, backup then replace and erase using system restore - but if you forget to back something up you are hosed.

Also I would not recommend Outlook - it is a source of problems

hope that makes sense,
if not get a techie friend to help you
cheers
Simon