can't start Windows XP successfully

[Tourguy]

My daughter has my laptop while away from home, she started having frequent problems starting windows for a few days, and now it won't start at all with the following error message:

We appologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start
successfully.
A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.
If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was
automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last
Known
Good Configuration to revert to ythe most recent settings that worked.
If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or
because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what
caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration

Start Windows normally

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.



Every attempt has brought me back to the this page no matter what Mode I selected.
Has anyone seen this error and if so, what can I do to fix it without reformating which will for sure eradicate lot of stuff I don't want to miss.

Thank you very much in advance for any thought.

[Croc Hunter]

My first thought is *Crikey !* well.. that was my second, the first I can't post here.

If you can't start in safe mode you've got big problems. Try to: Remove any discs if possible. Make sure the ram sticks and slots are clean. Run from a power source not battery. A few sharp hits and swear at it. If it still won't spark up I'd head for the Tech shop and see if they can recover your data.

[Tourguy]

when it shuts itself down after trying to run Windows unsuccessfully (saw the XP logo with the marquee running), a blue screen with messages showed up briefly, like half a second that I couldn't even read any word. It restarts with the whole process over and over till I forced it to shut down by pressing the power botton. Is there anyway to lock up the blue screen so I can read what's going on? This laptop is only one year old.

If I used the Sony Vaio recovery CD, I will surely wipe out all my data, right?

TIA

[edbot]

There is a very good chance that if you use the "recovery CD", you will lose most of your current data.

Did you create a "restore disk"? Typically, XP can take "snap-shots" of your data and store it to the harddrive.

[Croc Hunter]

Above all - If you get in. Try to get to the Control Panel and find a restore point prior to handover to your daughter. (It's one redeeming feature of XP)

Alternately: Ctrl + Alt + Delete - if you are quick enough XP will pull up a "Windows Task Manager" screen. Close All Applications. Look at Processes while you are there see anything unfamiliar "End Process" then see "Users" if your daughter has set up an account delete it. Then Reboot.

If that's an original copy of sony viao you could be lucky.

[Tourguy]

The tech people at my local PC Club told me the hardisk didn't sound right to him. I tried the recovery CDs and it finished the process and then it shut itself...then I never could power up it again, the light's on when I pressed the power botton, went off when I let go of it...I coudn't turn on my laptop.

I am calling Sony's repair center, it's one month past my one year warranty (bought it last June)...how could this happened to me? Thanks for all inputs.

[hotrats]

Doesn't sound like your issue but you might be interested in this link.

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=12800203

Hope you get it up and running.

David

[steve]

with most systems, i believe you can reinstall the OS without losing data. The system, data, however, will be overwritten with the fresh install. This means some programs will have to be reinstalled to restore functionality.

Always keep a startup disk around. Microsoft (or some site) has a download for the files. If your system starts acting funky, shut it down, pop the disk into your floppy drive, and restart. Choose the CD-ROM option. You can now run the setup program on your OS cd.

Using WinXP is a little different. You should be able to run the setup program directly from the cd when the system starts (boot from cd). Only if there's a major problem will you need the startup disk.


Further, to help protect your data from problems like this, partition your drive. Not now, but when you eventually reformat it. You should set aside at least 5GB for the C: (where Windows will be installed). This way, you only have to concern yourself with 5GB of disk space rather than your whole hard drive.

By the way, do not over fill the C: when you do this. You should save it for system files and updates. Install your games, applications, etc. to the next drive, D:, or whichever has enough space.

At home, I have one 20GB HDD and one 6.4GB HDD. The 20GB is divided into one 5GB and one 15GB partitions.

[Tourguy]

Very good idea, I was lucky to store all my songs in D, and occassionally backup my C's data.

Now, the lastest problem with my laptop is that it shuts itself down after a second or two, unlike what I described in above posts. And now after I used recover CD to "recover" successfully, I can't turn it on at all, only one in ten times I succeeded, but still it shuts itself down in a second or two.

I am debating to send it to Sony's San Diego reparing center or just let Compusa store handle it, they charge $140 for diagnosing alone. Can anyone suggest a reliable service place? I like to let local people fix it and get it back asap if possible.

Sony's serivce has been good, i can talk to a human being 24/7. I tried to save money not opting the extended service plan,,,not a good idea.

[steve]

hope you get it figured out. the last time my system kept shutting down on me, it was because the cpu was overheating. (i forgot to connect the cpu fan power cable). just a thought in case something's heating up inside.

[bdoc]

Originally posted by Tourguy
I am debating to send it to Sony's San Diego reparing center or just let Compusa store handle it, they charge $140 for diagnosing alone. Can anyone suggest a reliable service place? I like to let local people fix it and get it back asap if possible.

Sony's serivce has been good, i can talk to a human being 24/7. I tried to save money not opting the extended service plan,,,not a good idea.

There seem to be very few good service places around anymore, and when you do find one they'll charge a rediculous amount - like your COMPUSA experience. Sometimes, depending on where you bought it, even the extended service plans aren't a very good idea - at Best Buy if you purchase their "If it doesn't work you get a new one" plan you've gotta send it back to one of their repair depots (shipping is on you) 3 times for the same problem before they'll give you your replacement - a refurbished system. Unfortunately, Sony repair may be the best route IMO.

[Tourguy]

Compusa refounded my prepaid fee as they couldn't replace the motherboard - they said it's a bad motherboard's problem, and suggested me to send it back to Sony.

I am contemplating of letting this local store to take a look before I send it to Sony: http://www.laptoprepairs.com/

How could a motherboard become bad,,,it's only like 13 months old. As much as I like Sony's service and support (talk to a technician 24/7 and great service), I am starting to doubt the quality. Years ago, I brought my Fujitsu Lifebook with me traveling around and never had a problems for 5 years until the screen falling apart due to those bumping while traveling.

[CPimaging]

Computers parts can go bad! I had a motherboard go bad after about a year of use. I took a look at it and serveral capacitors on the board had a black resisdue on them, not good. The hard drive can also just randomly go bad, it happed to my brother two times. It turned out that the batch of drives was defective, they sent him new drives.

Isn't this still under warranty? If it is sent it in to Sony!

[bdoc]

Originally posted by Tourguy
Compusa refounded my prepaid fee as they couldn't replace the motherboard - they said it's a bad motherboard's problem, and suggested me to send it back to Sony.

I am contemplating of letting this local store to take a look before I send it to Sony: http://www.laptoprepairs.com/

How could a motherboard become bad,,,it's only like 13 months old. As much as I like Sony's service and support (talk to a technician 24/7 and great service), I am starting to doubt the quality. Years ago, I brought my Fujitsu Lifebook with me traveling around and never had a problems for 5 years until the screen falling apart due to those bumping while traveling.

With notebook repairs, especially when the technician doesn't know what's wrong with the computer, they always blame the motherboard. On most notebooks, everything is integrated onto the motherboard - meaning that if your video card goes kaput, that generally there isn't a simple way to replace it without soldiering/resoldiering on the main board (Now, this isn't true on all notebooks - but generally holds true) so this is how the techs can say it's the motherboard.

I've never dealt with laptoprepairs.com - I actually work for a notebook refurbishing company http://www.auctionnotebooks.com and from my experience dealing with technical questions from customers and in dealing with customers who have dealt with smaller computer repair shops the very best thing I could recommend would be to send it back to Sony.

Sony will have the parts and the answers you need - and, although it may seem more expensive, in the long run it may be cheaper. Before sending your notebook to laptoprepairs.com (if you do choose to do so) check for shipping charges, check to see how they handle shipping (they are in Canada), and finally see if they garuntee their work.

Just a bit of general advice.

[Tourguy]

Yes, I am sending it back to Sony, shouldn't have cheaped out not buying the extended warranty either directly from Sony or from the vendor.

Thanks all for the input, deeply appreciated.