How do i boot machine from CD

[scottian]

A bloke has asked me a question. His Dell PC running XP keeps shutting down. It was working OK but then started shutting down for no apparent reason. Every time was random but it then started getting worse. Now it doesnt even start but he gets an error message "there is a problem with windows and needs to shut down to avoid further damage". Im not a PC doctor or user so really dont have much of a clue but ive looked at some of the threads here which point toward driver problems being corrupt and have decided that it must be the system. Does the XP install disk come with diagnostic apps? if so how do i boot from the disk? is it by holding down the 'C' key at startup? By the way, im a mac user so not familiar with windows.

"Children are smarter than any of us. Know how I know that? I don't know one child with a full time job and children."...Bill Hicks

 

[TheLad]

This is more of a hardware question than Windows. When you power the PC up, you usually get the option of pressing something like F10 or F12 to choose the boot device (or a different boot device from the standard configuration).

As a start, you could put the XP CD into the CD drive and boot the PC and see what it does. You will get a prompt to press a key to boot off the XP CD, if you do not press a key then the usual boot cycle will proceed (from hard disk).

You should also eliminate a hardware issue from the equation. Maybe the PC is shutting itself down as it is running too hot?

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[GrimR]

You could phone Dell if it's still under warranty, just get the service tag at the back of the machine.
As above most Dell's either press F12 or if a laptop hold down the Fn (function key) and switch on, this will run Dell diagnostics.
To change boot order [to boot from CD]you need to enter the BIOS press F2 on startup.
If you can boot to safe mode [F8] then it may be a driver issue.
Once in safe mode make sure you check for viruses, and turn off system restore, so as not to restore the virus.

Lastly before reloading make sure you back up his data.

 

[linney]

Has he got the manual for his Dell machine, that may include information about Dell's recovery options.

In the Help And Support program of XP, search using the phrase "Recovery and Repair", that should bring up some articles and links for you.



HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

315222 - A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315222&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

SP2 machines also have the option via Safe Mode to turn off automatic restarts so that the machine will Halt at the Stop Error and provide more information. If you have access via Safe Mode you can permantlt disable automatic restarts via a Right-click on the My Computer icon, and then click Properties .
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery .
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box under System failure , and then click OK . The error message on a blue screen should remain on the screen so you can record the error information.

System Restore is also available via Safe Mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx

Help with XP pro boot up problems after impropper shut down
thread779-773669

http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

[harebrain]

The original problem sounds like a hard drive going (or already gone) bad.

The first thing I'd do is see if I can get the data off the thing, which probably means removing the drive and putting it into another computer. Everything else you do before that only makes it more likely that your data is going, going, gone.

 

[scottian]

Tried the suggestions here (thanks by the way) but now cant even get it to show an error message. Switch on then it switches straight off. I think Harebrain may have the correct diagnosis. I dont know if im using the correct terminolagy here but is there a way to force it to start in DOS mode? If so, and it stays on, does anyone know what the command is to run the CD? My thoughts are that if it doesnt even start in DOS then it must be hardware.
Thanks for your patience with this.

"Children are smarter than any of us. Know how I know that? I don't know one child with a full time job and children."...Bill Hicks

 

[GrimR]

Switch on then it switches straight off.

Thats not HDD related. Computers can boot and stay on regardless if theres a HDD or not. If there's a failed HDD you will get an error.
Please answer all questions below so we know what we dealing with.
Is this a desktop or Laptop?
Can you start and enter the BIOS, or does it still turn off?
Does it show the XP splash screen then turn off?
Can you enter safe mode?
Any strange beeps?
I suspect if no to all then it's either Motherboard, or power supply.

Is it still under warranty [service tag] check Dell's website.

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn

 

[scottian]

Is this a desktop or Laptop?

Desktop

Can you start and enter the BIOS, or does it still turn off?

Cannot enter the BIOS

Does it show the XP splash screen then turn off?

99% of the time it doesn`t show the XP splash screen, but turns off instantly

Can you enter safe mode?

cannot enter the safe mode

Any strange beeps?

gives about 6 or 7 beeps like a lorry reversing and then stops.

"Children are smarter than any of us. Know how I know that? I don't know one child with a full time job and children."...Bill Hicks

 

[linney]

Power On Self Test Beep Codes
for AMI and Phoenix BIOS

http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml#Standard IBM

 

[GrimR]

I think linney summed that one up.

 

[scottian]

Linney,
Tried the beep test codes, but the bloke said that the beep sequence wasnt on the list, hes decided to just take it a PC repair shop. But i just wanted to say thanks to you all for your attention and patience. cheers

"Children are smarter than any of us. Know how I know that? I don't know one child with a full time job and children."...Bill Hicks