no idea

[crimsonmoon]

This is my first post on this site, and i really am not a computer person. However, while searching for an answer to my problem i found this site and thought why not. I'm not even sure if this is in the right area, so if it isn't sorry. ok here i go

I have a desktop computer that is not working anymore... It is an hp pavilion 7935, and the monitor says hp pavilion mx70. Any way, when i turn on the computer, it will bring up that black page with white writing on it and says a recent hardware or software change might have caused windows to not start up properly, and gives me the options to start up with Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Last Known Good Configuration, and Start Windows normally. I have tried every one of them and they all end up the same way. the windows logo appears on the screen and it appears to be working, and then it makes a weird sound twice in rapid succession (like two heavy gears clicking) and then goes back to the options page...i really don;t know what to do, so any advice or answers, or even an "i have no clue" would be appreciated. THanks.

[crazyfool]

i have no clue... jokin lol... haven't heard of that before...
Are you sure the clicking is windows and not the hard drive?
You could try booting from the xp cd is you have on and open a command prompt and try typing fixboot or fixmbr

[crimsonmoon]

the sound is coming from the computer down at my feet,
What do you mean when you say xp cd? and how do you open a command prompt...lol sorry im hopeless with computers

[NightshadowUK]

Sounds similar to a problem I had a few weeks ago:

http://forums.hexus.net/help-technic...tion-woes.html

The first thing I'd try is a repair install of Windows, you'll need the Windows XP CD that should've come with your computer and to follow these instructions:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...txprepair1.htm

[crimsonmoon]

is there any way i can get another one of those cds? i don't think i have it anymore...

[crimsonmoon]

ok i have been searching online for a place to download and burn to a disc something called "Windows XP Professional CD-ROM" because i need that to boot my computer i think. Well i searched the internet but cannot find a place to download this and burn it to a cd and then put into the broken computer to make it work...anybody know of a place i can download this? Thank you guys for the responses so far

[TAKTAK]

as said, try repairing windows first, and if that fails then you may have to think about reinstalling (i'd try and save the data ASAP though...)...

Caution!

before nuking the system and reinstalling, it may/will be worth downloading a Linux LiveCD, Ubuntu would be a good place to start, download the .iso file and burn it to a disc using a program called imgburn, then boot from the CD ad try and rescue your files (sounds like the hardrive is having the clunk of death... i.e. you may need a new one.. but it is worth trying the above just incase...)

also, to get a windows CD try emailing HP and requesting one , you can download them via torrents BUT that is illegal (and cannot be discussed on this forum)

if you have no joy with that then you can just 'borrow' someone elses disc (you pay for the licence not the disc) and use that to sort things (your windows licence key will be on the COA [certificate of authenticity] on the back or side of the tower unit [it's a green label with numbers and letters on it])

unless of course the computer is still under warranty... in which case let HP sort it out for you


and welcome to HEXUS

[Koolpc]

Sounds like it may be the hard drive failing / failed or a format may be needed as the pc could be infected with viruses etc etc. What TakTak recommended is a good idea as long as you can get a PC to download Ubuntu. If you can't and you want to try the Ubuntu route them PM me your address and i will send you a copy of Ubuntu mate.

[crimsonmoon]

i thought that using the Windows XP CD to go through the guide posted by NightShadowUK was how to repair it?
as far as saving the data, im not worried about that, it was my parents and was just full of family pictures and stuff like that.
How do i get HP's email to email them? and what would the chances of them mailing me the cd be?
The computer is not still under warranty.
sorry for having no clue what anything means or what stuff is, i know it must be frustrating to try to talk to me lol
thanks for the welcome

[crimsonmoon]

Sounds like it may be the hard drive failing / failed or a format may be needed as the pc could be infected with viruses etc etc. What TakTak recommended is a good idea as long as you can get a PC to download Ubuntu. If you can't and you want to try the Ubuntu route them PM me your address and i will send you a copy of Ubuntu mate.

Sorry i was too slow
What does ubuntu do? I'm not sure i understand what ubuntu would really do, would it fix the problem?
wow thanks, i live in america, if i couldn't download ubuntu would my location be a problem?

[Koolpc]

Ubuntu would enable you save anything off of your hard drive if it was not faulty.

If saving is no problem then a full format might help. Contact HP to see if they would send you a disc.

[vinnyT]

Hi, here's the link to Ubuntu download page http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu. you could either download it, or request that they send you cd with ubuntu on (this is free).

[mightymouse]

it really sounds like your hard drive is dying but do post whatever you have tried, if you have another hard drive just test it out and maybe try out Bart's PE. Also if you contacted HP for the discs then it will cost quite a bit. i remember ibm tried to charge me £35 for a set of reinstall cds

[Thorsson]

Sorry, but some half-finished advice here. It sounds like a Hard Drive failure, but you have an HP computer, that probably means it didn't come with a Windows CD, so there is no way for you to fix anything as it stands. Your first port of call then is HP. However if you are out of warranty that will be a very expensive option and you will be better to go elsewhere.

Presuming that is the case (because otherwise your troubles *should* be over), then you will need a new Hard Drive (HDD). Unfortunately you will also need a new Operating System (OS), like Windows XP. HP should really supply this, but in practice you may find it easier and cheaper to just buy an OEM copy, from EBay for example.

If you need the data on your old HDD then you would have to go to a specialist company and that would be very expensive, so you probably will want to do a clean install and then add any additional software.

You are finding out why no-one here would recommend getting a system that didn't come with the original OS disk.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Sounds like a potential hard disk issue also! A new hard disk and an XP disc would cost you around £25 for a new IDE disk and £60 for the XP disc. Also you would have to either do the installation yourself or get a shop to do it if you do not know anyone who could help you out.

Looking at your computer model on the HP website is does seem an old model as it has a 1.3ghz Athlon processor.

I would look at getting a new pc if it is indeed a hard disk fault as Dell has frequent offers for desktops for under £200!

I would check the following website as they usually post any of the new Dell offers and details of any Dell money off vouchers:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/computers/deals/hot

Bigpockets and Morgan Computer also have various desktops under £200 too although the budget Dells are better IMHO:


http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product....DVDRW%2C+Vista

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/sho...CategoryID=378

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Dell are doing a computer for £163.33:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/25158...0-163-33-dell/

Specs:

E2180 2ghz dual core
1gb RAM
160gb Hard Disk
DVD-Rom driver
X3100 integrated graphics
Mouse and Keyboard
Vista Basic