# Computer Won't Boot **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932 "2007-04-28T03:40:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/1 "2007-04-28T03:40:23Z")
I’m back on an older computer due to my usual computer not currently working. Earlier today I was trying to clean the Vundo virus off my computer. At one point when I was rebooting Windows XP, it got to the blue opening screen that says, “Windows is starting” but it freezes at that point. I’ve tried booting in Safe mode, but it still freezes. (I don’t think it’s specifically the virus causing this, I think during the cleanup some registries may have gotten mixed up. I’m only guessing on this, however). Anyway, I have some extremely important files on the hard drive that I cannot afford to lose. I’m sure the files are fine, it’s just a matter of accessing them. I don’t have any experience with any of this, so I’d like to ask a few questions: I’ve lost my Windows startup CD but hopefully will be able to get a hold of one soon. Once I do, will it generally be straightforward from there to boot the computer from the CD, then access whatever files I need from the hard drive? Generally speaking, will this kind of problem be straightforward to fix once I get the startup CD? What about without the CD (just in case I have trouble getting a hold of one)? And what about retrieving the files from the hard drive if I can’t get hold of a startup CD? What’s the typical method of rescuing files from a hard drive on a computer that refuses to boot? Thanks for any help you can give; I’m getting a little paranoid about this at the moment. I’ll be happy to clarify anything or answer any questions if you need more information. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/2 "2007-04-28T04:07:07Z")
The easiest method – that is, the one that involves the least amount of work – is to try a Windows XP Repair Install. This essentially re-installs Windows without initializing the registry or losing any data. Once a repair install is complete you can (hopefully) boot right back up into Windows as if nothing ever happened. To do this: 1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD. 2. Allow the install procedure to load all of its support files and such. Do _not_ enter the “repair console.” This serves a different function entirely. 3. After it searches for a previous Windows installation, it fill find your current XP install. At the bottom will be options, one of which will be “Press ‘R’ to repair.” 4. Let the install procedure do its thing. When it reboots do not press a key to boot from CD as that will just repeat the install procedure. Just let it boot and start reinstalling normally. 5. Once done and rebooted for the last time you should get right back into Windows. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/3 "2007-04-28T04:19:52Z")
If you can’t repair Windows and need to recover files from the hard drive I usually just open the case, remove the hard drive and either install it into another PC (as a secondary drive) or put it into an external USB drive enclosure (about $30 at any good independent computer store) and plug the enclosure into another PC. Either way it’ll show up as a new hard drive on your secondary computer and you can then rescue your data. Once you’ve done that, if you’re having all kinds of problems cleaning the suspect drive of viruses or repairing the OS you may find it simpler to reformat the drive and reinstall things from scratch. Takes a bit of time but you know that you’re back to a clean setup. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/4 "2007-04-28T04:22:26Z")
On preview, I see others have hit the high points, but you may find some additional tips below. [QUOTE=Cabbage] Generally speaking, will this kind of problem be straightforward to fix once I get the startup CD? [/QUOTE] Pretty much. Make sure it is a full Windows XP operating system disk, and not just a system recovery disk. System recovery disks are often shipped with HP, Compaq or Gateway computers, and are not interchangeable with other brands, or even other models by the same manufacturer. You will need the XP product key for the XP installation on your computer, it is usually on a sticker on the side of the tower. Warning: This will probably not work if your PC came with an OEM installation of Windows XP (HP, Compaq, Gateway, eMachines, etc.) You will need the original disk that came with your computer. Sorry. [You are going to perform a repair installation of XP that will reinstall the operating system without formatting the disk or deleting your data.](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/en-us) > [@](#): > > 1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer’s CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. > > 2. When the “Press any key to boot from CD” message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. > > Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see your computer’s documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. > > 1. You receive the following message on the Welcome to Setup screen that appears: > > > [@](#): > > > > This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer: > > > > To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. > > > > To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R. > > > > To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3. > > Press ENTER to set up Windows XP. > 4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement. > 5. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP. > 6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate your copy of Windows XP. > [@](#): > > And what about retrieving the files from the hard drive if I can’t get hold of a startup CD? What’s the typical method of rescuing files from a hard drive on a computer that refuses to boot? Pull the hard drive oout of the old PC, install it as the slave drive on a second PC, or install it in an external hard drive enclosure and plug it into the USB port. Then just locate and copy your files. to the second computer, and burn them to a CD. Warning: If you had a password on your user profile on the dead computer, it will complicate retrieving your files. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2007, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/5 "2007-04-28T04:34:13Z")
Thanks to all of you, these answers ease my mind a lot! Just one question about this sentence: > [@](#): > > This essentially re-installs Windows without initializing the registry… Pardon my ignorance, but if this is a registry problem (like I kind of suspect), does “without initializing the registry” mean that any possible problem with the registry likely WILL be fixed or WON’T be fixed? One more question: > [@](#): > > This will probably not work if your PC came with an OEM installation of Windows XP (HP, Compaq, Gateway, eMachines, etc.) It’s a Dell. Does that fall under the “etc.”? Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-wont-boot/401932/6 "2007-04-30T02:21:37Z")
Just wanted to let everyone know, I managed to get the hard drive out and hooked up to another machine; everything’s fine now. Thanks again!