I am getting "system halted, you must restart your computer", but everytime I restart it takes me to a blackscreen of options whether If I want safe or normal mode, but nothing happens. Anyone know whats going on?????help

A little more info?

What was happening prior to the problem - anything amiss with the OS last time it was booting etc.?

What happens if you boot with '98/ME boot disk? Can you at least boot to an a:>\ prompt?

A trawl via google using:

windows ME system halted, you must restart your computer

brings up a range of hits, including:

http://www.colba.net/~hlebo49/winpr...

which has a list of assorted info. including:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=...

If you duplicate the trawl you will get more of the available hits...?

Test the RAM memory:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag...

I guess my hard drive is done, i called gateway and they had me run a hard drive "quicktest" with the boot cd and the results said that there are errors that are not repairable. I guess theres nothing i can do.

Now im looking for a new hd, atleast 80 gb. also upgrading up to 256mb of ram with pentium 4 processor, running xp. Does that sound about right??? let me know what u guys think

right now I have ME, 128mb...time for an upgrade...

thanks

512Meg RAM would be better; even upto 1Gig if pennies in piggy-bank will allow it (and the MoBo support it).

Also ensure (first check) that the MoBo etc. will support XP - in terms of drivers various. Most of your current kit will probably be OK - but again wise to check if drivers are available for it - before you go to XP.

Either run the XP readiness util; or maybe check the Gateway site to see if what you have is OK for XP (with a little extra RAM added in)?

If the ME disk you have is not a full version.. then likely you will have go for full version of XP.

I don't think recovery CD's are acceptable compliance check CDs; although if ME was already installed an XP upgrade would then probably accept it (the presence of ME already there)? Possibly others here can advise further on that aspect?

PCClub.com do a good price on both Home and Pro - and also drives...; both on-line and the local store (if there a branch in your area). And if you can stretch a little to a 100-120Gig drive then do so...?

Also when you configure the drive, partition it to have both Primary and Extended partitions. Primary for OS/apps/utils etc; Extended for data - only. And - although many here will disagree - I suggest you retain/format fat32 for data at least; allows more recovery of data options if the OS goes pear-shaped at some stage. If it's ntfs your options are slightly less flexible... but it can still be recovered even then.

Personally for most domestic environs I still prefer fat32 overall for both Primary and Extended areas. Although if heavily into video-files, mega-music files etc. ntfs may then be a better choice - with the caveat re' access in event of a crash of OS in mind nonethless...

Incidentally I recently rebuilt a crashed Dell/ME system (the drive died...) for approx US$250 (possibly even slightly less) if memory serves me aright. Moved it up to XP-Pro - with both (80gig) drive and full version XP-Pro from PCClub (local Utah store).

I've found them to have good prices; and generally the chaps therein seem to know their stuff...

Rare to find decent outfits these days. They (PCClub) seem to be one of the few around; which is why I'm promoting them here...

when i turn on my pc a blue screen appears saying windows protection server is halted and only allows me into safe mode, how can i get rid of this,ive tried reseting and turing on and of my pc but this same screen appears, any suggestions?