[camsterwilliams]

After years with an old computer which ran on Windows 98, I recently purchased a computer advertised in the newspaper which ran on Windows XP professional.

The computer had been going well until yesterday. A message came up from the AVAST anti-virus that malicious software had been detected. I selected the recommended option, but then got a message that selecting that option might affect the running of my system.

When I started the computer today I got this message -



We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.



It then gave me options -

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)


I've tried all of these. None have worked.

I don't have the Windows XP CD. The computer was not sold with one.

However, a colleague had a Windows XP CD; the home edition.

I tried to use this to repair my system but it didn't work.

I tried to do a full reinstall - kept pressing f8, but it didn't work.

Please help.

 

[Old Rich]

Re: We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A re

F8 does nothing in a reinstall . . This is a good guide to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print it for reference during the install.

http://www.techhandbook.com/windows/3078-Guide-Installing-Windows.html

 

[camsterwilliams]

Re: We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A re

Thanks simpswr for your reply.

The guy who sold me the computer has just phoned back. He stated that doing a full reinstall could cause other issues. He's very kindly offered to come over and help. Will post again afterwards.

Cheers,

Cam.

 

[Old Rich]

Re: We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A re

Let us know how it goes

 

[camsterwilliams]

Re: We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A re

Thanks again everyone.



Long story short; there were various options, but as there wasn't anything on the hard drive I needed, the guy who sold me the computer did a complete reinstall.



It's now running better than ever.

 

[Old Rich]

Great . . glad you got it sorted