As per title the old dell 630m caught a cold that locked out windows updates, so thought back up al the files the external drive (done) and use the onboard disc recovery for a clean install, but its now just stuck in a startup loop getting to " loading PRB 3... done" then doing it again and again. Can use f12 to get into set up but it does not help.
Have no xp disc (as its on the hdd!!!) but there is a media code on the bottom of pc. Any chance of getting it working again?

Ray

 

will go into safe mode F8 ?

 

no, just keeps cycling!!

 

Can you boot into DOS?

Keep pressing F8 as soon as you turn on, and keep presing until you either get to DOS or XP logo....

if not, bung in an XP boot CD ..you can get these from the web, and reinstall that way....

or it could be the boot config is corrupt, if i recall, you just either replace/ overwrite it,

My nippers did similar, and thats all it was

if its a dell, they have a recovery console built in to a protected portion of the drive..

if i recall press ctrl + F11 as soon as you turn on


Mart

 

mine does this. take the battery out, and unplug the power lead, leave for 5 to ten mins, put battery in and plug the charger in. then leave for a good hour so it can get some charge. then its fine. works everytime. hope it works for you!

 

well tried the battery disconnect etc, did'nt work. Also the ctrl/f11 just says cannot restore.
Is there a way of putting a boot disc on a usb? as I can get to that menu to switch boot order via f12?

 

sent you the fix fia a pm mate

 

Ended up having to do a clean install, why does it take forever!!!! to get all the updates back on.

 

Should of imaged the drive beforehand ! 20mins to do a full recovery.