Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 109165 2010-04-27 00:36:00 Is this as serious as it seems? whitts (5961) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
880257 2010-04-27 00:36:00 Hey,

After a power failure the other day my PC (Windows XP) loads to the "safe mode screen" and after i press anyone of the selections it loads for a bit appears likes its going to boot up windows then automatically restarts itself .

This happens continuously, and i have done changed anything (hardware or software) it was only after the power outage .

I have tried safe mode, normal ect . . . none of them work, i am afraid the hard drive may have gone or something worse .

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Cheers .
whitts (5961)
880258 2010-04-27 00:48:00 Does last known good config work? Someone maybe corrupt. I cant remember if the auto restart option is there after you press F8. If it is select it. Speedy Gonzales (78)
880259 2010-04-27 01:01:00 Last known config doesnt work.

I pressed f8 and selected disable automatic restart on system failure and it said: "Unmountable_boot_volume" with a blue screen and writing.

Seem ominous?
whitts (5961)
880260 2010-04-27 01:05:00 Get an XP disk, boot off the disk into the recovery console, hit 1, hit enter, hit enter again and run chkdsk /r wratterus (105)
880261 2010-04-27 01:48:00 So i attempted to do as suggested and as it was in the process of loading recovery, the system restarted again .

Any other ideas?
whitts (5961)
880262 2010-04-27 01:58:00 You may have to remove the hdd, and put it in a working system, then scan it for errors. If its IDE, jumper it properly first Speedy Gonzales (78)
880263 2010-04-27 02:00:00 i attempted to do as suggested and as it was in the process of loading recovery, the system restarted again. If it wont even boot off of a CD, then it sounds a little like there has been some sort of Hardware damage, as it hasn't even got to the HDD yet.

Its not usually when the power goes off the damage is done (not good for a HDD suddenly crashing though) but when the power comes back on - if you get a surge ( and it only takes a split second), you can fry or damage components - hence the need for power protection in the form of a GOOD Surge protector or UPS.

The PSU could have taken a hit (surge) and as soon as any load comes on it cuts out.

I'd try changing the PSU for one that's known to be good first.
wainuitech (129)
880264 2010-04-27 02:04:00 So i attempted to do as suggested and as it was in the process of loading recovery, the system restarted again.

Any other ideas?

Just a quick thought I had - when exactly did it reboot? Before you got to the screen where you choose which repair/installation option you want (www.theeldergeek.com), or when the recovery console was actually loading? Cause if you hit enter instead of pressing 1 when it asks which installation would you like to log on to, it will reboot.

I doubt that's the issue, just though I'd double check. :) If not, just follow Wainui's instructions in his last post.
wratterus (105)
880265 2010-04-27 04:17:00 It was when it was actually loading e . g . hadn't given me the opportunity to select an option .

I don't have another PSU nor does anyone i know (pretty much all laptops), so i guess i am at a stage where i will have to take it into a shop . I live in Wellington City so can anybody recommended me a reputable place to get it checked out?
whitts (5961)
880266 2010-04-27 09:19:00 Send me a PM if you want, I own my own PC business.

Might be able to get it done this week, flat out as a one armed paper hanger at the moment.
wainuitech (129)
1 2