Windows Xp Error Loading Operating System

[Booya99]

This error appeared right after I turned on my windows xp laptop, all I could do is just restart it but the error keeps on appearing. Is there a way to fix this problem? Or would I need a windows disk to reset my laptop? And if so, would I be able to keeps my stuff in my laptop as I did not back anything up...

[vascop]

Depends on which error it is. Please can you give more details?

[Booya99]

It literally just says "Error loading operating system" on the top left of a black blank screen, so far I've only been able to "control alt delete" and restart the laptop. And the error comes out again

[vascop]

It's too difficult to solve on Answer Bank, but in my opinion it should be able to be sorted out. You would need a CD with XP on it. How come you don't have one? Are you using a pirated copy of XP? If so, well there you go.
Ask a friend to lend you their XP CD. Then you also need a bit of know-how about how to recover from these errors.
A book like "Windows XP Inside out" tells you how to do it.
I've done it several times for myself and friends, but you need a genuine XP disk. The great thing is you don't lose anything from your hard disk.

[Vintager]

The thing that actually starts to boot up your PC is the BIOS and it might be out of date;
thttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/326676o boot up your PC is the BIOS,
Might be worth having a read of this link;
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000730.htm
Either your hard disc is duff, or the XP installation installed upon it is corrupt, or for some reason the installed BIOS does not recognise the hard drive.
Regards, Bob.

[galeck1947]

Why are you still using XP when support is about to run out .Now is a good time to upgrade to Windows 7 but you may have to replace your present laptop as it wont run Windows 7. Get in now as Windows 7 computers are getting hard to find.

[Hypognosis]

//Why are you still using XP when support is about to run out.//

Not a helpful question. The threadstarter has what they have and is not here to have judgements made on them.

By all means suggest that they upgrade but at least tell us all what the upgrade CD is going to cost them, please.

Oh, I forgot, they can't set about an upgrade until we've fixed the boot failure situation. Let's focus on that, shall we?

@Booyaa99

Do you see a steady light or any flickering on the HDD activity light?

If not, can you hear any motor noise or other sounds from the HDD?

Are there any dents, scratches or outward signs that the laptop has been dropped?

As per vascop's post, try booting from the WinXP master disk. If you can get it to progress as far as Windows Safe Mode, you should be able to ascertain whether the C: drive is at all operational. If it is, you might be able to run a virus scan and see if any software or user data is intact.

HDDs can get into a state where they refuse to boot but the data is recoverable. A new HDD could be as little as £30 and your local PC repair person will have special software with which to do the data recovery. After that, you can retain the unbootable drive as a slave unit or, if you don't trust its reliability any more, stick a drill through it and take it to the recycling yard.

[tamborine]

Methinks hardware problem, ie PCi cards ?

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6195219_install-pci-card-laptop.html#page=9

[Hypognosis]

The product is long out of guarantee so no harm in opening the case and seeing how much dust has accumulated inside, while also checking out the PCI cards and RAM modules, as tambo suggests.

A coating of dust plus the right level of humidity can bridge between electrical contacts on a printed circuit board and, even if it's only milliamps, this can play havoc with a computing device.

With regard to removing said dust with a vacuum cleaner, remember that plastic tubing and brushes normally used on carpets means that static electrical discharge into sensitive computer components is a risk. If in doubt, don't attempt that method.