Hi I went to start my computer the other morning and I got this message..."Error loading operating system". It seemed to be running normally the last time I used it and I wasn't installing any software or anything. I tried the hard drive in another machine just to see what would happen and it did the same thing. I ran a hard drive utility to check the drive but it came up good. I haven't been able to get it up and running again and I wondered if anybody had some suggestions. Thanks alot!

There are no messages telling what the error is? Have you changed the pin settings on your HD lately? If I got that error, I'd try rebooting a few times, then I'd do a repair install of the OS. Real Friends Stab You in the Front

How to do a system repair.--Boot from the xp cd and go past the recovery console to the install menu. Select repair the existing installation. You won't lose any data except the xp updates. Unless you have a slipstream sp1 cd you will have to d/l sp1 and all subsequent updates. You MUST have at least SP1 installed and the updates for security reasons. Be sure the firewall and A/V is active before going online as you will be susceptible to sasser and msblaster. If you don't want SP2 go to autopatcher.com and d/l SP1 and subsequent updates.

Hi thanks for your help. So do I press R to repair installation with Recovery Console or do I press enter to install XP? If I press enter it asks me if I want to quick format or format.....I don't want to format or I'll lose everthing won't I?

It should give the option the repair the existing installation. I assume you have a full xp cd, not a recovery cd like dell, hp, etc.

Hi Yes it's a full XP cd but when I boot up, it gives me these options... Setup XP press Enter Repair XP using Reconvery Console press R Quit F3 If I press enter to setup XP, I then go to this screen....press F8 to agree Then it takes me to this screen.... To setup on this partition etc... Then it takes me to Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick) Format the partition using NTFS file system I am going to the right spot there? Thanks for your help

Thanks for all your help. I managed to get it fired up. I went into the Recovery Console from booting off the XP cd then I typed the fixmbr command and the fixboot command. After that she fired up. Thanks alot!