Windows did not start successfully (black screen message)?

Question

Yesterday my laptop ran out of battery and turned off then when I turned it back on I recieved a black screen with white letters saying... We apologize for the inconvenince, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.if youre computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked. If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you arent sure what caused the problem, choose Start windows normally.....Then it gives me options to choose, safe mod, safe mode with networking,safe mode with command prompt, last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked) and start windows normally...i already chose all of the choices and the computer gets restarted and the message appears again I dont know what to do and also before the message appears there is a f9=change boot device order and a f10=BIOS setup options...i dont know what to do I dont have a disc or anything can you please help me and my laptop is a windows xp. Can you please give me step by step instructions on what to do? Thank you very much

Answer 1

I would definitely suggest you reformat your hard drive. The operating system is no longer working properly and requires a reset. You should also back up your files as well because once you reformat your hard drive, the files will no longer be there. You can use a device known as an IDE/SATA to USB Adapter (google "BT-300 topmicrousa"). This device works really well in these situations because the device skips the operating system (your problem) and goes directly to your files. Just copy and paste the files you need, reformat the laptop, recopy the files, and you should be as good as new.



The device is quite efficient and durable. I've used it many times.



Best of luck.

Answer 2

boot from windows xp disk (f9 to choose cd/dvd)

go into recovery console

type

chkdsk

in the prompt and let it finish (chkdsk /? to see options and usage)

restart

most of the cases should do it - if it doesn't

don't go to recovery console, continue as if you install xp (careful ! don't do a new install /format the drive!!!)

check if it gives you a repair windows installation option. if yes do that

otherwise

boot from a linux distro live cd

backup up the files you need in an external disk

and

a)install linux or

b)use the recovery option of you laptop (if it has one) to factory defaults or

c)buy and install windows 7/vista/xp

Answer 3

If your laptop will start up on its own, you will need to get a hold of a windows xp disk and do a repair. Other wise you will not be able to fix your problem.