I'm practically computer illiterate so please show some patience with this question. My laptop has Windows XP and has thrown me the dreaded "blue screen of death", as a friend called it. The laptop was second hand and I don't have the original registered XP disk to restore or repair it.
What would happen if I used a registered copy of Windows Vista or other Windows app and loaded that instead? I'm not worried about losing documents as anything important is already saved on disk. I just want to make sure my existing programs will continue to work, and I don't want to do something that's going to lead to greater problems. Do I need to use XP to get my computer functioning again?
Options, suggestions, instructions, anything would really be appreciated. Please be kind - I'm at the mercy of technology that I just don't understand!
2008-11-17T15:50:31Z
I did try starting it in safe mode - it gave me the option of starting the system with the last known good configuration. But alas, no luck.
2008-11-17T15:52:15Z
Also, the message on the BSOD flickers by too fast to read. It only flips on for half a second, then goes into the screen that gives me the option of starting in safe mode.
ralphus2008-11-17T17:49:41Z
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I have exactly the same problem. I'm actually looking at my endlessly rebooting BSOD right now.
I had the option of reinstalling xp or putting on vista, both require clean installs.
To access the files I had on the hard drive I used Knoppix. Its a Linux based OS that runs off a cd, it lets you access your hard drive and from there you can copy the files to an external HDD. Its long winded but it'll save your files, but at least you can then fresh install xp and put your files back on.
Reinstalling the operating system (or installing a new operating system) is the "brute force and ignorance" way of repairing a computer, removing spyware, viruses etc.
You WILL lose all your programs if you do that.
Your best bet is to track down a windows XP cd and try to repair your installation. Make sure that the flavour of XP is the same that you already have.
Or, pay attention to what the error message on the BSOD is, and google it. You might have luck finding a forum where someone has posted your exact problem, and either there is a method to fix it posted or it points to what the problem is (need new drivers for sound card, for example)
There is 1 thing you could try b4 taking it to a tech. start your PC up in safe mode & try to work from there. Follow these steps; when starting up keep clicking the F8 button on the keyboard your pc should eventually open a blue screen with writing on it. Your mouse will not work so you must use the up & down arrow. Find the option that says "start computor in the last good operation" or words to that effect.Move the arrow up or down until you have that option hilited then click enter. Your computor should then go thru a series of operations; will shut down & then restart hopefully resolving your problem. Good luck. next step take in in & have a tech look at it
Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.pcboostcleaner.com
It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.
Could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software. This problem can be solved by uninstalling new software, updating device drivers and making minor configuration changes . From http://fixit.in/bluescreenofdeath.html . You can also run a free registry scan using utilities from http://re7.info