My laptop won't start in normal mode or safe mode. I can't even get a command prompt. When I try to boot in any of these modes, I can usually get to the welcome screen but keep getting various messages such as virtual memory too low, can't check windows serial, etc. (this is a legal copy of xp!). if only i could get into windows via safe mode or command prompt i could probably fix it, but it won't let me. i have tried reinstalling xp over my original installation and this has not solved the problem. any advice?

Resources for Troubleshooting Startup Problems in Windows XP How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

Neither of these links provide help in my situation since I can't even get a command prompt, let alone safe mode. Any other advice?

Since I can't get to a command prompt by using the Safe Mode with Command Prompt at the F8 startup menu, is there any other way to get to it? Could I use the WinXP CD, for example?

I am no expert, so I just provide information that I know nothing about, and for you to figure out on your own. A good learning experience for you and me. If I had your problems, I just use the Compaq Recovery CD, to restore computer to factory. Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

chuck, sorry for any offense, not ungrateful for your advice...just stating that it won't solve the problem for those in a similar predicament. hoping to get more replies for my particular problem. thanks for the links. does anyone know how to get to command prompt from winxp cd? is it possible? gdmorgan

Well my standard question is, WHAT IS THE BRAND AND MODEL of your laptop? AND, have you been to the support website of whoever makes the thing? I'm not familiar (yet) with all the dirty, filty, little and not so little tricks of X tra P utrid, but you might see if it appears to be a hard drive/ operating system problem, or something else, like maybe hosed up memory. Speaking of memory, my IBM Thinkpad 600x will run WITHOUT added in memory, so if you have some in there, you might pull it out and see what happens, or at least try reseating it. I guess it depends on whether you can boot the machine off a floppy or CDROM, can you? If you don't have a floppy, but DO have a CDROM, can you burn bootable CD's? I would suggest you find and download a diagnostics program, POSSIBLY from the SUPPORT SITE of the MANUFACTURER of your MODEL laptop, and run that, if you can make a disk that will do so. Try pulling the hard drive out, and booting with a CD/floppy, and see what happens? Any errors? \ However, if you are getting errors not referring the the XP serial or activation, that can't be good. Can't you boot with your XP CD or recovery CD? Run the "repair" program?