[cammochris]

hi, wondering if anybody could help me. my computer recently crashed and wouldnt reboot, i inserted the windows disk and tried recovery console, everything seemed to work, but now whenever i turn on my computer it has a selection screen, both options say 'windows xp home edition', but the top one doesnt work and comes up with loads of missing file errors, im not sure how to delete the useless 'link'.

any help appreciated

[curlyq]

If you are conversant with the procedure try repeatedly tapping the DELETE key as soon as you switch on. This will lead you to a screen showing all the settings.

Take a good look at this but do nothing unless you feel confident enough to return the settings to their original state.

CurlyQ

[cammochris]

i know how to use the bios, but i dont think the setting/s are here, is there a file / files that i can delete from my hard drive, from the operating system section?

[curlyq]

All I can suggest now is to use a 'Rescue' disk, if you have one, or purchase a Recsue Program. I seem to recall seing an article in ComputerActive some time ago entitled, 'Rescue Your Hard Disk'
Someones on this forum may be able to help.

[SocialWarfare]

You could try running some registry cleaners, like CCleaner and Advanced WindowCare
Other than that a fresh install may be in order

[cammochris]

is there a file / files that i could delete?

i think it is probably just one file in, a directory some were that is causing the problem?

has anyone heard of anything like this before?

[MrGW77]

This is an error that could have many different causes. You don't say what happens when you power-on the computer, if it sounds and acts relatively normal then I'd guess that your hard drive is scrambled. It's likely an older one and has had many installs/uninstalls and other errors. The best thing, and the thing which will be easiest, would be to get another hard drive. Sure, you could reformat the one you have but I suspect that it may be nearing it's end of usefulness.

[cammochris]

when i first posted i dont think i was compleatly clear, i have 2 hard drives, both are less than 12 months old, i think the motherboard or bios 'thinks' that i have two copies of windows installed, one on each drive.

when the selection screen comes on, if i unplug the second hard drive, when i press enter it says, 'drive missing', however when i have it plugged in, it has lots of missing / uninstalled files in a list. is there some way of setting the bios so that only one opperating system is allowed?

[MrGW77]

Originally Posted by cammochris

when i first posted i dont think i was compleatly clear, i have 2 hard drives, both are less than 12 months old, i think the motherboard or bios 'thinks' that i have two copies of windows installed, one on each drive.

when the selection screen comes on, if i unplug the second hard drive, when i press enter it says, 'drive missing', however when i have it plugged in, it has lots of missing / uninstalled files in a list. is there some way of setting the bios so that only one opperating system is allowed?

.

This is a tough one, I REALLY don't like the idea of fooling with the bios, ONLY as a very last resort will I ever go into a bios. Really though, a bios is quite simple BUT it's so easy to totally screw-up the computer. There is/used to be a procedure called "flashing" your bios; but this was back in the days of windows 95 and 98. I'm not even sure if it might be a good idea for windows XP or Vista. You should do some research on the internet. There is a simple string that you can get and it is a very simple bios; I totally forget where you might find it. Perhaps if you were to go to the manufacturers site then you'll get much more help. One little thing though, it might well NOT be as serious as a bios problem. The thing to do would be to uninstall every "free-ware" program and uninstall all of the extra "helper" programs like norton, McAffee and etc. Then open a DOS window, if in Vista give it administrative privilages, and then type this EXACTLY SFC /scannow That will cause your computer to reinstall the operating system back to all of it's default settings. Then perform a complete scan disk. All of this will take at least an hour or more depending on what needs to be corrected but when finished, you'll have a brand new install. If you've deleted the partition which holds the setup files then you'll need to put the system disk in the tray before you start.

[cammochris]

thanks for the info, i dont think i will do a reinstall yet, but i will look at checking the partitions to see if there is anything there.

thanks again