OS not loading up HELP!

Clarifications

When the Dell Logo Appears press the [b]F8 Key[/b] and hold it down till you either see white writing on a black Background and then use the Arrow Keys to select Safe Mode or the internal Speaker starts going nuts then you can release the F8 Key and wait for the Menu System to open.

You can also try using something like the Ultimate Boot Cd to do some diagnostic to test your Hardware and here you need to test the RAM and CPU.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

It may even pay to turn the NB over remove the cover over the RAM and lift the RAM out and clean the contact edges with a soft Rubber/eraser then refit it and try booting again.

if all else fails you can try a In Place/Upgrade Install by following the directions here but you'll need a M$ branded Install Disc as apposed to the Dell Recovery Disc supplied with this system.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Col

Can you borrow a friends XP CD so that you can get to the Recovery Console to run these two commands.

Try this first it should get you going.

fixboot

If not try this

fixmbr

Insert your XP CD and when you see ?Press any key to boot from CD? press a key. Now wait for the XP installer to finish loading up and you will be presented with the option to press R to Repair.

Press R.
The next screen will ask you which Windows? installation you would like to log on to. Normally the following will be listed:

1: C:\WINDOWS

Press 1, then Enter to continue.

You may now be asked for the Administrator password. If you know this type it and press Enter. If you don't know the Administrators password it may be blank. Just press Enter or type your username and password.

At the command prompt type: fixboot and press Enter.

< forgot a bit >

Other wise you may have to get a USB Caddy to put the Notebook Drive in and use it to recover any Data. Then put the Drive back in and use the Hidden Recovery Partition to reinstall XP.

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance.

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