cadoganman

I offered to format my friends Packard Bell laptop. and install XP. No problem I hear you say. But when trying to reinstall a previous disk image (Paragon 8.5 ) I selected the wrong image. Now his laptop wont or can't boot because I imagine (but I think I really know)that it now has an image of my destop windows XP with all the inappropiate drivers etc. Is there any way to activate the machine to make good my childish error? Or do I need to replace his hard drive for him (at my expense) The present position is that at boot up the disk activity light flashes with no screen activity and then goes dead. After you have finished laughing (understandably I agree) could someone offer some help? I dont know if he has a recovery disk but I really don't want to ask him! Anyway would it work as it would be trying to boot the wrong image?

Ho Hum and Diddly Dee. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

wrench97

If you have an XP disk boot from the disk and do a repair.

simpswr

A repair install might do the job, but I would do a fresh install . .

cadoganman

Thanks Guys but the disk drive appears inactive,probably because it doesn't have the correct driver. I need some way to get into the C drive and make things right from there.

wrench97

Does this computer post to the bios screen? If so the cd drive should work if not it's not a driver issue because drivers ony load after windows boots

cadoganman

Thanks again wrench but the screen is dead and I cant get it to boot to the Bios! It basically has an Advent desktop Xp image trying to run a packerd bell laptop.

wrench97

It should still post even if you removed the hard drive. Try unplugging the AC power remove the battery press and hold the power button for 10 seconds then reinstall the battery. See if it Posts the Bios screen.

simpswr

The image on th3e drive, even if it is the wrong one, should not prevent POST . . There is something else going . . Did wrench97's suggestion help?

cadoganman

Tried your remove battery method still nothing. I may have to remove the hard drive and stick it in my desktop via an adaptor and wipe it from there. I'll keep you informed.

TriggerFinger

do you mean the hard drive is not recognized by the laptop anymore? not even in BIOS or post? by the way where did you get the 'previous' disk image?

what error is showing up when you boot the laptop using the HDD? if OK with you to format the drive again, why not boot using DBAN and format the drive from there. i am saying this because if the laptop cannot recognize the drive at BIOS or POST, then there is that big possibility it would not be recognized by your PC either.