Can't Start: Restarts over and over and over!!!

[blackdc5]

I am using a Sony Laptop computer (a few years old)...I'm using Windows xP Professional.

The problem is when I try to start up the computer, it asks me to pick an option:

1. Safe Mode
2. Safe Mode w/ Networking
3. Safe Mode w/ Command Prompt

4. Last Good Configuration

5. Start Normally

Now, no matter what I pick or if I just let it go (starts auto. in 25 or so seconds), the same thing happens:

It proceeds to the Windows xP Pro screen w/ the blue bar moving....then it goes to a black screen. I hear a repetitive noise internally...click click click or scratch scratch scratch. It's like it's trying to read something but can't....and then a blue screen shows up for a split second and restarts.

On the blue screen, one word I see is "dump."

What is the problem? Help please?!?!

[whiteangel]

That repetitive clicking...

Sounds like a problem with your hard drive, a bad sector most probably.

Boot the computer from a CD or a floppy and run a surface scan on the hard drive using scandisk.

[Midknyte]

laptop hdds die all the time. sounds like it's time for a new drive.

[Lord AnthraX]

I have had this happen before to computers when the MBR gets corrupted and is unable to boot the machine. The clicking you hear it prolly the HDD trying to read the sector. Before you go out and buy a new HDD try using some of the stickied threads that talk about the Repair console, not recovery. If there is anyway to fix the MBR it will be through that. It you can't however just try re-installing windows.

P.S. Dump is prolly a Blue Screen of Death that is stating it is dumping the physical memory, hence the OS is screwed up, see it all the time in the shop. Def. try re-installing before buying a new one.

[rraehal]

Windows XP uses CHKDSK not scandisk. If you have NTFS you must use check disk. There is detail information for running it in the repair console HELP command.

I would scan the drive first if it failed to fix the issue, try to reinstall windows, and finally buy a new drive if the reinstall failed.

[Crashman]

Try doing a repair installation of Windows. If that doesn't work, try formatting and reloading windows.

[blackdc5]

Thanks for the replies!! I didn't think I'd get that many replies considering there aren't as many board members.

Anyway, I will try to get the XP disk and boot it up with that. I will see from there since I wouldn't know how else to access any of the computer functions if I can't get into windows or anything.

I dont mind if the HD is screwed up....I just want some folders w/ important files...i.e. pics from this past summer with my gf. I hope I don't lose those =(

[Lord AnthraX]

Normally a repair install won't delete files but just to be safe you should always try and back them up before doing it. If you have another computer and a Laptop --> IDE converter you can slave the laptop drive and stick it in a normal machine. The converters are anywhere from 5$-20$ online, ironically though you can always make your own if you know enough about wiring.

[blackdc5]

Okay, I got hold of the Windows XP CD and after going on a blue screen a few times, it was trying to "setup Windows XP" so i tried to run the repair (Pressed R) and then it led me to a "repair and recover" which someone said not to go on "RECOVER" so I just to exit and it keep restarting again and again (all over again).

Someone mentioned backing up my files before doing a repair install, but how would I get access to my files in the first place? Honestly I don't care if the computer's HD is messed up, I just want the files on it.

[blackdc5]

Also, when it goes into Windows setup (booting on CD) it asks to press F2 if I want to run Automated System Repair (ASR). Should I try that?

[blackdc5]

I tried going into Setup for Windows XP, and it lets me see the partitioned space (my current C harddrive). It seems my info is still on the harddrive, if only I can still access it.

Also, I encountered a window that said my OS is not completely installed or something to taht nature.

[Midknyte]

don't use ASR. it is worthless unless you kept the disks updated.

you should have done a repair install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm