multiplex77

My 2003 laptop with Windows XP Home Edition suffers occasional problems (mainly freezing) which I could resolve by re-starting it. Yesterday morning, after another freeze and re-start attempt, it has not been able to restart despite all my attempts to do so.

The following is a description of what happened just prior to the latest freeze, shut-down and the current error message:

When I tried to print some PDF files with my latest HP printer, I could not as it kept trying to print with the old HP printer which does not work. I went into Control Panel and tried to remove all files related to the old HP printer. After about 15 min, it stopped removing the old HP files and the laptop froze. When I could not close or restart the laptop the correct way, I pressed and held on the ON/OFF/POWER button until the laptop turned off. After waiting about 10 secs, I pressed this ON/OFF/POWER button to start the laptop but kept getting the following message:

"We apologize 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 the 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 are not sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Start Windows Normally

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

I repeatedly tried each of the above 5 options without success (including turning off the power and removing plug). As I could not start the computer beyond the above error message, I could not revert to previous date and setting.

When I pressed F2 or F12 while this error message was appearing, I could go into PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility. I went through its subheadings of Main, Advanced, Security, Others, Boot and Exit, but did not understand what they were so did not try to make any changes. At the bottom of this Utility page, it showed F9 Setup Defaults. So I went into it and clicked [YES] in answer to question “Load default configuration now?” as I was hoping that it would allow the laptop to restart but it did not.

What else can I do to get my laptop to boot up? Thanks in advance for the help.

animesh_joshi

Since none of the options u tried are working, u can boot the laptop with the Windows installer CD and launch the recovery console.

Secondly, do a complete re-install.

dai

d/load and run the h/drive makers diagnostic utility on the h/drive

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

multiplex77

Thanks for your help.