Accidentally turned off computer

I was cleaning behind desk and moved surge protector that caused my old XP to go off and back on. Now the loading screen is stuck.

It could be a matter where some basic operating systems drivers failed to load when you turned it back on. It happens from time to time. Since you have nothing to lose often simply shutting it off and then turning it back on will solve the problem.

It is not recommended to do a cold boot like that but sometimes you are forced to do that and very often it works.

When you shut it off wait a couple minutes before turning it back on. You need to give your hard drive time to stop spinning before restarting. Usually a minute is long enough.

If it doesn't start up again next time, see if it will boot into Safe Mode.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

If it does, run a chkdsk.
Click the Start button, then Run. Type
cmd
in the box and OK it. In the Command Window (looks like DOS) type
chkdsk /r
and follow the prompts to set it to run chkdsk the next time the computer boots. Then reboot the computer. It will take a while, but it will try to seek out and repair damaged files that might keep it from booting in regular mode.

Oldmariner and Jenny 100, Thank you for your response. I tried your suggestions with no luck. I am at a loss as to what to try next.

Give this a shot kazzmo -

How to start the System Restore tool by ...t in Windows XP

System restore states that there have been no changes made. It does not revert the computer.

You may have to perform a repair installation (you'll need the install media to do it) -

How to fix a computer that won't start

It the last item in their list. I've done this several times, it's never failed me.

InlandAZ, I do not get a prompt to start my disc.I get We are sorry for the inconvience, but windows did not start successfully. My choices are: Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Last Known Good Configuration and Start Windows Normally. My Windows XP disc is in the drive. Now I do not know which option to choose. I have tried these options earlier with no success, but the XP disc was not in the drive.

You had better make sure that your BIOS is intact. The normal way is to turn on the computer while holding down the Delete key.
Check the settings to see if anything strange shows up.

If you don't know what should be there, look at the motherboard and bios data that came with your computer.

In safe mode computer scrolls down loading apps and stops and does not start again. Never get a safe mode screen. There is no oppurtunity to run disc or preform any task.

Maybe this will help -

To perform a repair installation of Windows XP

1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.

Your CD is already in the drive so you don't need to do anything else here.

2. Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.

If you're not prompted to boot from the CD you need to change the boot order in the BIOS, make sure the optical drive is 1st in the list. Most PC's display a message that indicates which keys to press to enter the BIOS setup. They're all different, so I can't help you there.

3. When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press Enter on your keyboard.

Just like it says, press enter.

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the Page Down key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.

Same here, press F8

5. When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.

This is the important one, make sure you enter "R".

The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour. Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were installing Windows XP for the first time.

It may take less than 1 hour, it depends on your PC.

I have had trouble with my old computer (has recenly gotten a new one)

selecting the option

Start the computer with the "Lst known good configuration" has always worked for me...

with my old computer...

good luck

It sounds like you need to adjust the settings in your BIOS to boot from the CD drive instead of the hard drive. This is what is described in this part of Inland's description:


Once you've booted off the CD, you should be able to run a chkdsk /R or chkdsk /F to repair broken files. I'm guessing the computer was writing something back to the hard drive when you turned off the power, which resulted in corrupt files. A chkdsk /R or chkdsk /F may be adequate. The procedure Inland described will repair worse damage.

Note that if you don't have a true Windows disc, but instead have some "restore-type" disc that has no troubleshooting utilities and can only restore the computer to factor defaults, you won't be able to do the troubleshooting.

I have the Windows XP disc in computer, but the setup will not continue because the version of windows on my computer is newer than the version on the disc. The computer is opened to my desktop and all my icons are in place and my programs, documents,computer, pictures will open. I did go in to bios and change to boot from disc. I do not know what to do now though, so I will not do anything until I receive further instructions.

This may be your issue -

How to perform a repair installation of ...er is installed



When you remove the disc, does the PC boot normally?

InlandAZ, Thank you so much for your reply. I am going to my granddaughter's school program at this time. I will read your link and reply when I return. Again, thank you. I am a coward. I read the link you sent me and I am afraid to uninstall my Windows. I am afraid I will not know how to get it back. I have 5.1 SP 3. I ran another System Restore and it told me the same thing the first one did, it did not change anything, but the computer is out of Safe Mode and working fine. I am sending you this message from said computer. The Windows XP disc is still in the drive. I am afraid to take it out or turn the computer off. My disk defrager will not work-C:\CABS\MUART.sys. error appears, so I can not fix any errors that may be there. I am going to leave computer on. Maybe tomorrow if you have a chance, you can talk with me about turning off computer and how to get it to restart with or without the disc.