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My Mum has dial-up not broadband. My sister decided to try and install MSN Messenger on Mum's pc. Immediately after she (sister) turned the pc off, I turned it back on.
Up came a black screen saying that there was a problem completing Windows start-up. It offered to start Windows normally; start using last known good settings; safe mode; safe mode with networking and one other I can't remember. I did manage to get in using safe mode, but got no further and then got scared in case I trashed or lost everything. I've checked cables and connections and can't see anything that looks unplugged, so I just switched the whole thing off at the wall.This happened on Saturday and I'm now at home 500 miles from my Mum. We're all completely tech-illiterate, Mum has gone nuclear as she thinks her pc is dead and all her business is on it, she's threatening to throttle my sister who denies doing anything wrong.
Can anyone help in the most basic of terms to help me avert possible murder? Or has my sister killed my Mum's pc?
Many thanks
CountessK.
500 miles is quite some safety buffer :-)
try last known good configuration, if that doesn't work, a system restore can be done within safe mode (start/all programs/accessories/system tools).
if you have a windows installation cd, you can boot the computer from that cd and try a 'repair installation'
Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'
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Thanks Mattie. I tried last known config and it didn't work. I'll try and talk her through the system restore option and see if that works.
Does the problem sound like a catastrophe to you or is it impossible to tell from my witterings?
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Please clarify:
You turned the computer on right after your sis turned it off, you were presented with the different start options, you selected safe mode, the computer started in safe mode, then you unplugged it from the wall?
If this is the case I would do as mattie suggests and use last known good configuration. However before you try repair or restore Come back here and let us know what error message you received. There may be another solution available.
Mark Spencer
MyComputerTec
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Thanks Mark.
I did turn the pc on right after Joanna turned it off and this 'Windows could not start properly' message came up. I tried it in 'last known good settings' and the same error message came up. I then tried in 'safe mode with networking' which did allow me into the pc after scrolling through a lot of scary gobbledegook, and I could see that all of Mum's stuff was there but I couldn't access the internet. I then shut down as normal and left it for a few hours and tried again but the error message came up again. This time when I tried to turn off the pc it wouldn't so I switched it off at the wall.
OMG, have *I* killed it?
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your sister's premature demise would be a 'catastrophe' ... but this is just a computer problem :-)
even IF the windows installation on your mother's computer would be irreversibly corrupted, the data still can be retrieved and a clean installation (which has often enough proven to be a blessing) would rectify the problem.
so, post back the exact error message you're getting when the computer boots normally.
Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'
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what happens when you choose 'start windows normally'???
Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'
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The computer will be fine. When was the last time anyone set a restore point on the computer. If your answer is never, or it was before you installed software, be aware that using restore may break software installed after the last restore point. Then you would need to reinstall said software. Restore shouldn't effect saved file or your data. So her business data would be safe. Relax, it can be fixed.
Mark Spencer
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The same error message when I start Windows normally. It's like it's stuck or something.
The screen goes blank, then I can see the briefest flash of a blue screen with some text, then the HP start up screen comes up and is a bit wobbly, then the blank black screen, then the error message. Every time. I can't remmeber off by heart the error message, but it's along the lines of "we are sorry that windows could not start properly. This could be due to problems shutting down..." then it says something about software installation possibly being the cause... I am sure the pc was properly shut down, i remember seeing a message about installing updates before it switched off.
am trying to type now with one hand as baby son has woken. will come back later to update you.
btw, joanna scarpered longbefore i broke the news to mum, and is now 150 miles from the crime scene!
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One more quick thought, In rereading the post I noticed that you didn't know the version of windows being used. I assumed it was Windows XP, however if it is another version, then your options will be different. Please find out the windows version and post it. I need to sleep for awhile and won't be back for about 6hrs. I hope someone can get you going by then.
Good luck,
Mark
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I haven't a clue about this problem but I notice that CountessK mentions "then the HP start up screen comes..."This implies that it is an HP Computer and therefore his mother won't have a normal Retail XP CD - she might not even have an HP Recovery CD
I understand that sometimes HP Computers have a Hidden Partition for 'recovery' ?
Lesley
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Simply start up in safe mode and uninstall msn messenger. That should be problem almost solved. At least for that other wise your scarpernig sister *insert Dick Barton theme as sister runs away and gets on a bus* has mabye said yes to something thinking it was part of the installation and it crashed. Or maybe she just didn't shut it down properly and it's got stuck in a loop. Anyway from safe mode you could aslo run scnadisk and see if that finds any problems. HTH Regards Lupin3rd
If this equals that, then why does that equal this?
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Checking hardware (cables & connections) probably isn't necessary...this is a software problem, not a hardware problem.
Before I got to the bottom of the thread, I was gonna suggest exactly what Lupin3rd wrote in response 11...."Simply start up in safe mode and uninstall msn messenger"
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If no joy you can also invoke System Restore while in safe mode. Use it to restore the OS to a time before your sister ruined the PC. I hope your mom is among the miniorities that find time to do backup regularly.
i_XpUser
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Services will be held on Friday, in a dual ceremony, Mums whereabouts unknown anyone with info should contact...
:)
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Hello! Many thanks to everyone who has replied. My Grandad is in the news today (for good reasons!), so Mum will be furious if she hasn't been able to access the internet. I shall now phone her and try and talk her through some of the options that you good people have been kind enough to post.
Apologies for not coming back here before, but the demands of a baby rather limit my own time on-line.
Thanks again! :)
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