On Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 9:17 AM, eckinator <eckina...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Dave > (comments interspersed) > >> Well my 2001 PC is acting up again. Not allowing me to boot. I seem to >> be able to get into it via the safemode, F8 key. > > First things first, do you have a backup of all data on the system?
Yes i do. > > Also, have you tried logging in as a different user? Same problem? Can't. I turn it on and get the Intel splash screen then a Dos promt saying boot failure. I upgraded the HD in 2006, i think, and it was about a year later i started getting these boot failure prompts. Usually a few retries and i was in. I had it looked at last Oct, and the computer guyone mane show) found nothing wrong, out of the ordinary, and suggested several things. However due to the age of the PC we both agreed it was a waste of money and if it happened again and new PC would be cheaper in the long run, It has been working fine until Saturday and now i can only get intro windows with the F8 key. Dave > >> - I am trying to restore my system to a previous good date. I am now >> into to hour two waiting for it to do so, how long should this take. > > If you mean F8 and boot to last known good it should be a matter of > seconds. Last known good only means loading a different, older > registry portion for certain settings. These are overwritten upon > logon completion so usually they are pretty worthless after a half > complete login failed on the profile level. > > If you mean XP system restore two hours aren't normal either. > > Basically you can let it run for a while yet without harm assuming it > isn't a thermal issue. Can you take off a side cover and check air and > hard disk temperatures? The HD is OK to be hot to the touch but you > should be able to leave your hand on there as long as you like. Also, > while you're in there, listen for very regular ticking/scratching > noises from the hard disk. If it is a persistent pattern, it usually > means your disk is mechanically defective and cannot reach a certain > sector. > > It could of course just be Windows XP that is dodgy. (I take the > liberty to assume you're no longer running 2000 if you speak of a > system restore). Have you tried a repair install/in-place upgrade? The > XP setup disk needs to be the same service pack level as your current > install. If yours isn't, you can use a different computer and nLite > (great tool) to create one. The process is called slipstreaming and > officially supported by Micro$oft. > > I won't comment on your buying advice request as I am all about server > hardware, I haven't owned a computer since 2004, all I ever have is > work laptops. > > HTH Ecke > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- Documenting Life in Rural Ontario. www.caughtinmotion.com http://brooksinthecountry.blogspot.com/ York Region, Ontario, Canada -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
