Ran advanced e-diagtools on my HP Pavilion ze4100 laptop and everything checked out ok. I have Windows XP os. Everything original except that I installed 1 gig of RAM a while ago. Problem is that it won't boot in safe mode, last working config, or normal. I get the Windows logo as if it were going to boot and then I get a sudden blue screen that appears for only a fraction of a second (can't even read what it says because it flashes so quickly). Then it tries to restart all over again with same results. I called a local tech company and they said it was definitely a hard drive problem. They charge me $80/hr. + $100 for the HD. I am not 100% convinced about that option. I want to save my files and do not want to spend that much. Any suggestions? Thank you very much in advance.

before sending it out for repair enter bios setup by holding F1 when you turn it on . look for setting to turn off restart on error. Not sure of HP's wording. Save and reboot. then next time you get a BSOD it should stay on the screen and you can then get error message "Don't hit at all if you can help it; don't hit a man if you can possibly avoid it; but if you do hit him, put him to sleep." Theodore Roosevelt New York City, February 17, 1899

Thanks. I don't have that option in my BIOS though. It must be because the computer is old (?). An update: all the tech folks I've called have said it's either a virus or the HD. I switched around the RAM too (apparently HP's have finicky RAM (?)). I want to repair (R) WXP from the original discs that I have (of which there are 7 WXP System Recovery discs), but the prompt warns me that I'll lose all of my data (I don't have the option to just repair. The advice I got was to NOT select "repair w/ recovery console" but to select (R) for "repair", but on my disc I don't have that option. Thoughts are appreciated. Best -

Test your RAM http://www.memtest86.com/ Memory(RAM), test program for downloading Did you install the correct type of RAM ??? Go here--- http://h18000.www1.hp.com/cpq-count... then enter in your exact Model name, and number, then tick what information you want to know, then proceed from there. You may find the Specifications List of what's in your computer.

always back up impotant files and docs to an external hard drive or disc (hard drive is more convenient, flash pen etc) use a driver backup utility (driver genius,drivermax etc) and save all your drivers (audio,video,ethernet,etc)to ext hd any probs just format reinstall drivers and docs no help now i know but for future reference good luck

thanks everyone...going to get a HD enclosure and wipe the os....