Serious computer problem, need help

[Yvondith]

Just got my internet, and here I am, my own PC as good as a paperweight until I can fix this... here's what happened:

I spent 4 hours yesterday updating my mom's laptop, windows update stuff. I got home, and figured I'd see what updates mine needed. I selected 1 important update, or something, and 9 optional updates. They downloaded and I was prompted to install... I chose yes on the first optional, something about the keyboard or mouse, don't remember. Windows asked me if I was "sure" about it because it couldn't verify the maker, but since it was on the Window's site I thought it was safe. Clicked Yes, and my computer randomly turned itself off and on. It's done this before, a lot so I didn't panic.

Turned it back on... it got to the disk check screen, stayed there for 2 seconds "Press any key to skip" and then displayed another, darker blue screen, for a split second, and then restarted itself again, by itself. It now does this in a continuous loop each time I turn on the computer. I cannot get past the Check Disk screen.

My question, what the hell do I do to get around whatever update caused my computer to crash? I can't do anything with the comp except the DEL menu. I chose to "choose optimal settings" on that, and haven't noticed much difference.

I'm starting to expect that I'll have to reformat my hard drive, and spend hours updating, and watch this possibly happen again... and or take it to get professionally repaired. Hoping to avoid both, but...

At any rate, anyone have any ideas about how to fix it?

Also, this is another Leader will be AWOL note, I'll have to take time to use parent's comp until, or IF I can fix mine.

[Office Ninja]

Do you have the option to boot up in safe mode at all? If you do you should try to do a windows restore if you have that turned on. It should take you back to before you did the updates.

IF not... you are going to have to try and skip the check disk if it will let you, but it sounds like that is most likely not an option.

I hate to say it but it sounds like something corrupted your hard drive. I wouldn't suggest taking it in until you see if you can format and reinstall windows. Honestly its too expensive to do, and that's pretty much all they are going to try and do anyway. If its corrupted the chances of backing anything up are slim.

[dejibo]

agreed. if you can get it to boot in SAFE mode, restore to before you updated, and then up date one by one, chosing each one. If you cant get a safe boot, then get a windows disk or operation disk or boot disk if you have a floppy drive, and see if you can force a restore from that direction.

If no go, you may be forced to format, and re install. That would suck, cause you lose all of your pics and docs, but it saves the computer from the scrap heap. A professional place would be able to help you save docs, and pics, but would cost ya.

good luck.

[masaia]

The boot sector is corrupt or it's a malfunctioning driver.

Kik is right with the windows restore. If you can still run into safe mode, you can do it that way. I'm not 100% sure of this, but the windows vista CD lets vista computers do this from a bootable CD. I'm not sure if it's backwards compatible with XP or not... I use something called ERD commander in times I am unable to boot to my normal system's partition and run its system restore utility, but I don't know how possible it is for non-IT people to get a hold of that.

If that doesn't work, your last two options is to use chkdsk utility from the windows XP boot disk, or running a repair install on the OS. All other options are formatting and replacing drives.

Good luck.

[Yvondith]

I got it to boot up in safe mode once, and it went through the same cycle. Check disk for errors screen, keyboard either doesn't repond or doesn't get a chance to, and then it goes to the other blue screen and crashes. I can't see what the other blue screen says. I have not been able to get it to ask me again to choose a mode to run... I am NOT able to get any further than the "You shut down unexpectly, checking for errors" screen.

I did some stuff in the delete key menu, I chose first to set to Fail Safe options which made the computer worse, then I got it to run in Optimized Settings, and now it's running about like it used to... still, gets to the check disk screen, and crashes. That's all I get to see when I start the computer, it says press DEL for menu, and if I don't it loads some more, then I see the Windows XP splash screen, and then Check Disk... but like I said it crashes as soon as the Check Disk screen starts.

I plan on trying to reinstall the restore disk that came with the computer. The "restores the computer to factory defaults" disk. How do you reformat the computer? Will chosing to run the restore disk that came with the computer completely erase the hard drive? If not, how do I go about just wiping the hard drive clean?

Gotta understand, my knowlege of computer repair is limited. I'm not a complete idiot, but I don't have much experience with this sorta thing. Just hoping that if I have to, the hard drive reformat repairs the problem. If I had to get if fixed I wouldn't even ask to save my stuff, just damn, make it WORK again. >.<

Needless to say, I'll never install an optional update ever again. >.>

[masaia]

Formatting a disk will erase it entirely. That is what your restore disk will do most likely. It will restore your computer to your factory defaults, as if you just got it out of the box.

If you have any files on that disk that are important to you, then you will have to find a method of extracting that data before the format... There are a few ways to do this, none of them all that easy.

1) You could buy another hard drive, and use the corrupted hard drive a secondary. Use the new hard drive for the recovery disk. The secondary would have all your files in tact. You would still have to reinstall everything, but at least you'd keep any important files.

2) You hook up the old drive externally using a device. My workplace has an adapter that you can use any hard drives as external storage (USB). I found ours on amazon, but I'd have to go digging for it.

Both options take more than limited computer knowledge. The first has you opening up the computer and moving cables around. The second is a little easier, but you still have to go in and remove the old drive.

A normal windows XP CD would have an option to "Repair" the installation. What that means is that it erases all the system files, and recreates them. It's not a 100% fix, but it's usually used as the IT's last resort.

If you lived closer, I'd be glad to do this for you... Do you know of anyone that is good enough with computers to do the aforementioned steps?

[Yvondith]

At this rate, I'm willing to just let the data go. I didn't have anything extremely important, the most important things were some family photos, but... I have some of them on Photobucket anyways.

I'll check the prices on Hard Drives, but I don't think I'll be buying one. I can probably install a new Hard Drive, I've done it before... but several years ago, back when I was in college in Florida. My limited knowlege is from the settings, and some of the technical terms. If I did learn it, it's long forgotten. I only plan on buying a new hard drive if the old one is shot, somehow.

I'll try the reformat tonight, but I don't expect to get it completely restored until I go stay with Granny for a few days. Stronger internet connection for Windows Update, since I'm pretty much 56k at home! XD

I'll post again if the reformatting doesn't help. Just pray that it does.

Thanks so much for your sage advice, guys. Glad I have you guys as friends.

[masaia]

If the format doesn't work, then it means you have a hardware problem. Never a wonderful thing. But as the way you described it, that shouldn't be the case. Usually if a HD goes bad completely, the PC won't recognize it. Damaged ones will exhibit those steps, but damaged HDs are usually old.

[dejibo]

www.5starsupport.com/xp-faq/1-1.htm

This article explains step by step what to do steph.

hope it works.

[Yvondith]

Good news, the format worked. I am back on my computer. I reformatted last night, and had no problems. Just hope I didn't miss any important windows updates. Reinstalled Avast, and Firefox w/ Adblock Plus.

It's sorta nice having all that junk gone... but damn I'm gonna miss my pics.

Supposed to go to Granny's on Wednesday and spend a few days reinstalling Perfect World, and LOTRO. Just don't wanna spend days trying to do it, and Granny seems thrilled to have me come stay anyways.

[Yvondith]

Double post, but forgot to ask a question. My mother's BF has a laptop, and it's CD ROM doesn't appear to be working. When you insert a CD, it says that there is no CD in the drive. My CD ROM did the same thing last year, and I had to replace the drive completely. I'm no expert with laptops though, so I'm not really sure it needs to be replaced. Any suggestions?

[dejibo]

it means the drive FAILED, and needs to be replaced. Let mom's BF PAY to have it fixed. if he is not paying YOU, then he should be paying someone else. its an EASY fix. Just look up his model, and so on, and plug those numbers into Amazon, or Ebay style places, even Best buy or other electronic places, and it will tell you how much a new CD rom drive is. One it arrives in the mail, slide it into the slot where that one is now, collect your money!

You can look up how to replace a drive on the company website that owns the machine. its really easy, as most slide in and out on their own.

Easy money.

[Office Ninja]

www.newegg.com

It is MUCH cheaper than best buy.

[Yvondith]

Yeah, but I won't get paid. At least, not the going rate for such work. Just gonna let em take it to a professional to do it. Thanks again.

[dejibo]

good idea. No matter what, even if its two years from now, when it breaks again, YOU will be blamed for it. Its MUCH better to let them take it to a pro.

Have fun at granny's I will call and talk to you.