XP unable to boot fully.

Hello again.
Ive just had an email from meidion who can supply a recovery disk/operating software for a reasonable fee [£20.00].
My question is if I load on to my cd drive will it work?
Regards.

When you select F8 and enter safe mode you receive a list of options

these are : -

Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

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

We need to know if you can get into Safe Mode with Command Prompt
because there are a number of options in this mode to possibly help to remedy your problem.
If you cannot get into any of the safe mode options then we have to start looking at
other options to fix your PC

Jim

Nothing you do on this computer will prevent you from using your wifes computer to connect to the internet. The router is independent of either system. Think of it as a multiple outlet electrical extension (sort of) withe the business end plugged into you DSL or Cable modem and the other end when you can connect up to 4 computers (usually).

__________________
Rich

It's a damn small mind that can think of only one way to spell a word. - Andrew Jackson

Usually Manufactures recovery disk recover the system to factory settings. So any
important files will be lost. if that is the case with this software.
You need to check to see if there's some file recovery option on the CD
if you have important information you wish to save.

Thats fine as long as it has its own system to sort mine out.
I have 2 recent backups so can load "my documents" afterwards.

Thanks.

I've used Medion products before and always found them to be an excellent
Company. I have no doubt that their recovery disk will restore your PC
to a working condition as long as the problem is software and not an hardware problem.

Good Luck hope your PC is soon up and running

Jim

Thanks to you and all the other helpers.

To answer one of the questions.
From F8, I cannot get into the command prompt! I selected it but
the screen remains dark as before with my mouse cursor sobbing in the background!
Thanks again.

Before I insert the re-set disc I was wondering whether my graphics card could have failed?

Is it possible to see the pentium 4 symbol, then the xp logo with the balls moving underneath,[before the screen went dark], with a failed graphics card please?
Regards.

Has Ztrucker said "Try booting a Linux "Live" CD like Puppy Linux or one of the other bootable CD packages like EBCD, UBCD or best of all, UBCD4WIN. See if you can access your drives. If yes then you can move data from C: to another drive to make some room".
Because you only have 1% left of free space on your C: drive, the lack of free space is the mostly likely resaon that windows will not start.
You can use almost any version of Linux Live CD place into you CD drive you can then start your PC with it. Make sure you select the Live option from the menu
When Linux as started you can then delete, move (to another drive) or copy and delete any files until you get roughly 10% of free space on your C:drive.
Window will then have enough space to start.
Also using the Linux Live CD will also show you that your graphics card is OK.
But since you cans see "the pentium 4 symbol, then the xp logo with the balls moving underneath"
this shows the basic or VGA graphics are working OK
When you tried to start in Safe Mode VGA this was an attempt to start your PC without using your graphics card.

If you see the normal boot screens then your graphics card is still alive. Whether it works at your normal resolution and color depth is another story. Most likely it's fine.

Try the Linux Live CD. If the screen is okay with it then you know for sure the graphics card is okay.

__________________
Rich

It's a damn small mind that can think of only one way to spell a word. - Andrew Jackson