MyPCHell.com - Resurrecting PCs One At A Time

TechBeginner

New FixmyXP Member

Posts: 3

« on: March 16, 2007, 10:04:00 PM »

hey everyone ive had a problem with a pc of mine since christmas time. Here it is

My computer crashed and so when i started it back up it said
Master Boot Record Error-press any key
Then it would say press any key to reboot, and this would continue over and over again each time.
I tried using the Compaq system recovery disk but it did nothing

actually i went to another forums first bc it was recommend by a friend,
http://forums.devshed.com/windows-help-34/need-alot-of-help-master-boot-record-error-410648.html?pp=15
i am NOT promoting at all, just i typed the whole thing story by story and it would be a very bigpost if i retype everything, so i used the same name i used here and hope someone could go n check it out

Ill add more brief details in case someone cant access the link, so it would start up at all, i got 6 windowsreboot floppys, then i didnt know wat i was during with partitions command n formats but then i put in my windows cd rom, n over half way through it said .sif fil error or such and said it had 10 secs to close, to remove all disks

so i want to know if there are any different steps, dowloads or previous steps i did wrong
any windows cd-roms i could use bc mine might be bad
if i get a new HD will that fix it and does windows come already with new HD


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Squeezebox

Administrator

Posts: 2756

Re: need alot of help

« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2007, 05:36:29 AM »

You have been through a few hoops on this, haven't you?

Let's start at the beginning. You have a Compaq recovery CD, so trhe first thing is to try and restore to factory condition. (This will remove all your own data, any programs you have subsequently installed and any updates.)

Instructions for doing it are here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00034787

If you decide to install a new hard drive, it does NOT come with a Windows XP disc, although you might be able to purchase an OEM version because you've bought a new disk.

If you decide to reformat the existing disc, you will still need a full copy of XP.

In both of the last two scenarios, you will also need all the drivers for hardware such as video and sound cards. As your knowledge and experience is limited, you might be better off taking it to a local repair shop. Although we may be able to provide instructions and advice at each step, it could be a long process if you don't understand the steps fully.

If you decide on the repair shop option, make sure that you insist on either fixing with the CD you have, or with a fully legal copy of XP.

Hope this helps.

PS Since your original message was an MBR error, you might like to try this free utility:

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/utility-fix-mbr.html

Or you could look at Partition Table Doctor here:

http://www.easeus.com/download.htm


« Last Edit: March 17, 2007, 05:43:26 AM by Squeezebox »	Logged

TechBeginner

New FixmyXP Member

Posts: 3

Re: need alot of help

« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2007, 03:05:29 PM »

im tryin to fix it on my own but i plan on going to a repair shop as a last resort. if someone could help me step by step that would be great, im in no rush. i use the floppys n they work any ideas on wat i should do after?? maybe something different?? and should the restore cd have windows on it?? i get to the widnwos installation then that error pops up, so im assumin its the cd-rom, so thats why im lookin for a new copy of windows, if it works ill upgrade the windows if need be but i dont want to spend like $60 on a windows disk n it not work. ill try the two links, but since its only reading floppys first n cd-roms, wen should i put those, or can i get them onto floppys


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