any computer experts here?

dtolle

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Ok, I'm having an issue w/ one of my computers. Its a Compaq, and it originally came w/ Windows ME, but we upgraded last year to XP w/o any trouble.

So, the problem is this: When I turn it on ,the "compaq" logo appears, then while its loading a page pops up that says I need to start it in safe mode because I'm missing a file. If I choose to start it in safe mode though the screen goes black, and nothing happens. If I choose to go ahead w/ the normal mode, it also goes black.

I'm baffled, no matter what I do I cannot get it to load. We were having problems prior to this w/ using the cd rom drive, but the computer was working fine.

Any thoughts on how to get this thing booted up??


Edit:

This is not an internet used computer, its my kids one that they play games on. So most likely this is not virus related. Also, I did try to use the recovery cd, and it loads just fine, but when you hit restart the scenario I described above happens.
 

wellingtoncats

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That's what mine done for a while, I being as computer dummy as it gets had to call someone in and they fixed it.
I know there's alot of people here in-the-know, but good luck.
 

mzjazz2u

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I agree with Sid. And if you do reinstall Windows XP I suggest a clean install (including reformating the hard drive). That should fix everything! It might have been some kind of bug upgrading from Win ME. I've heard ME is a nightmare.
 

mzjazz2u

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Well you've been lucky then! Cross your fingers! All the IT people I know say it is a nightmare. That's why it has pretty much fazed out and was barely on the market for long at all. XP is the replacement and is much more stable and reliable.
 

wellingtoncats

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Originally posted by mzjazz2u
Well you've been lucky then! Cross your fingers! All the IT people I know say it is a nightmare. That's why it has pretty much fazed out and was barely on the market for long at all. XP is the replacement and is much more stable and reliable.
Ok I will.... Hmmm XP was available for $400 here so we thought oh we will just keep ME but then a computer nerd came in and installed it on our system it was good to go for awhile but then had all these funny turns. Until something better than microsoft comes out I'm just gonna stick with ME
 

cheeseface

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Do an advanced search in Google with this phrase: "can't boot in safe mode". http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&n...h=&safe=images

I had a quick look and I'm sure you'll be able to find a step by step solution. The third link on the results page mentioned a way to do a "repair install". Those can be a piece of cake.

Also, as a tip for anyone with a problem, whenever you get an error message followed by computer trouble or wackiness, enter some or all of the phrase word-for-word in exact phrase at Google. It's very likely that the top search results will turn up solutions to your problem. I've done this countless times and have fixed many things because of it.
 

mzjazz2u

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If it ain't broke don't fix it!

But more then likely your problems with XP were due to installing it over ME. Sounds like ME is working fine for you though so you're one of the rare lucky one's and I wouldn't change anything!

I remember back when Win 98 came out everyone was having trouble with it and it was dubbed as a lemon. All the computer geeks and IT people hated it. They said it was trash.But I never had a bit of trouble with it. I was one of the lucky ones that time!
 

ttmom

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DH used to have this problem, he had to reinstall Win98 then WinME and then WinXP. If you have no problems on ME might as well stay there. That's what we're doing here at this household because we don't think our PC can handle the NT OS (which is what XP is based on, ME is based on 98). Also, depending upon the age of the PC, it might not be powerful enough for XP.

Personally, I prefer 2000 and don't want to have anything to do with 2003 (GARGH! Have spent days trying to help IT people who don't bother with getting training on 2003.).
 
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dtolle

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Thanks to all of you for your replies. I'm going to do the google search now, and see what I can come up with.
Thanks!
 
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