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Dell Win XP boot problem

Discussion in 'Technology' started by f1_nix, Aug 11, 2011.

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  1. f1_nix

    f1_nix Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 12, 2005
    2,175
    Ft. Worth, TX
    #1 f1_nix, Aug 11, 2011
    I have a older Dell desktop that my kids use to play games. Earlier this week it was working fine, then we ran Windows update followed by norton antivirus scan. Now when it boots I get the Dell screen followed by a black screen and a blinking cursor. Any ideas on how to fix it?

    TIA
     
  2. whupwhup

    whupwhup Formula Junior

    Apr 4, 2004
    258
    Stoney Creek, ON
    Full Name:
    Kash
    #2 whupwhup, Aug 11, 2011
    Boot to your XP disk and get into the Recovery Console.
    Run chkdsk /r, It may take some time to run so be patient. After it finishes and you're back to the C; prompt, then run fixboot.
     
  3. f1_nix

    f1_nix Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 12, 2005
    2,175
    Ft. Worth, TX
    #3 f1_nix, Aug 12, 2011
    OK I ran chkdsk /r and it said it fixed some problems. Then ran fixboot. I still get the same thing: a black screen with a flashing cursor.

    Any other ideas?
     
  4. whupwhup

    whupwhup Formula Junior

    Apr 4, 2004
    258
    Stoney Creek, ON
    Full Name:
    Kash
    #4 whupwhup, Aug 12, 2011
    after running fixboot run fixmbr - this should fix the master boot record..if that doesnt work...then I have one more thiing to try short of a re-install.

    let me know if fixmbr works...
     
  5. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
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    Ian Anderson
    #5 Fast_ian, Aug 12, 2011
    +1

    Another "off the wall" idea is to re-run chkdsk - If it still reports it's fixing stuff, run it again etc. Once it's happy, move on.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  6. 4re Nut

    4re Nut F1 World Champ

    Mar 27, 2004
    16,343
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    Steve
    #6 4re Nut, Aug 15, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2011
    This just happened to my son's computer, also a Dell, on Friday. A friend that is in IT stopped by today to look at my computer issues.

    He spent about 30 mins on my son's too with no luck. He took the computer and mentioned he might have to reload the OS.

    I'm not sure when he'll get around to it, but I'll post an update once it's fixed (or destroyed).
     
  7. powerpig

    powerpig F1 World Champ

    Oct 12, 2008
    11,078
    Huntsville, AL
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    Kevin
    #7 powerpig, Aug 15, 2011
    Just for the heck of it, type win at the prompt, hit enter and let us know what happens.
     

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