Windows XP freezes HELP !!!

Hello, I'm trying to help my sister fix her computer because we had a really
bad bad storm about a month back. I'm not sure if she had her computer on or
whatnot but now when you try to start the computer it freezes at the Windows
XP screen, right when the little bar starts moving, the one that looks like
night rider lol THAT'S when it freezes

Before it even gets to that screen, you get the black screen that tells you
that a power surge problem happened and it gives u a countdown where u have
to decide which way to start windows, safe mode, normally, etc.

Her computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 series;Pentium 4 2.80GHz; 512KB; BIOS
version A05.

I've tried to restore XP to a previous working starting point, I've tried to
do a complete re-install of XP all under safe mode, and nothing works, XP
still freezes up once the computer starts and it gets to the XP screen.
When I try to re-install XP with the cd that came with the computer it won't
let me beacuse it says the version installed on the computer is newer than
the one on the cd. I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
continue with the setup from the CD.
Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
not done.

ANY ideas on how can I fix this problem and get this computer back to
working ok again?

Please let me know, I'll appreciate it alot.

Thanx

"Spidey" wrote:

> Hello, I'm trying to help my sister fix her computer because we had a really
> bad bad storm about a month back. I'm not sure if she had her computer on or
> whatnot but now when you try to start the computer it freezes at the Windows
> XP screen, right when the little bar starts moving, the one that looks like
> night rider lol THAT'S when it freezes
>
> Before it even gets to that screen, you get the black screen that tells you
> that a power surge problem happened and it gives u a countdown where u have
> to decide which way to start windows, safe mode, normally, etc.
>
> Her computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 series;Pentium 4 2.80GHz; 512KB; BIOS
> version A05.
>
> I've tried to restore XP to a previous working starting point, I've tried to
> do a complete re-install of XP all under safe mode, and nothing works, XP
> still freezes up once the computer starts and it gets to the XP screen.
> When I try to re-install XP with the cd that came with the computer it won't
> let me beacuse it says the version installed on the computer is newer than
> the one on the cd. I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
> continue with the setup from the CD.
> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
> not done.
>
> ANY ideas on how can I fix this problem and get this computer back to
> working ok again?
>
> Please let me know, I'll appreciate it alot.
>
> Thanx

You will need to Perform a clean install, which mean wiping out all Data on
the Hard Drive, so if you have a Data need to be rescued you can hook this
HDD to another Machine and Copy over the data on Removal Storage like CD/DVD,
USB Drive..etc.
On How to perform a clean Install read the following Info
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...windows_xp.htm
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
HTH.
nass
---
http://www.nasstec.co.uk

The error saying you have a newer version of XP installed... Do you get
it IN the installation?
Have you tried to remove the partition you got Windows on completely?
Have you ruled out a hardware issue on the harddrive?

You can try Dell's 90/90 harddrive diagnostic tool.
Should be available if you hold CTRL+ALT and hit D on the bios splash
screen or from the boot menu (if you hit F12 on the bios splash screen).

"Spidey" <Spidey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5C872F8-7A10-4BD3-850E-3324A8494559@microsoft.com...
> Hello, I'm trying to help my sister fix her computer because we had a really
> bad bad storm about a month back. I'm not sure if she had her computer on or
> whatnot but now when you try to start the computer it freezes at the Windows
> XP screen, right when the little bar starts moving, the one that looks like
> night rider lol THAT'S when it freezes
>
> Before it even gets to that screen, you get the black screen that tells you
> that a power surge problem happened and it gives u a countdown where u have
> to decide which way to start windows, safe mode, normally, etc.
>
> Her computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 series;Pentium 4 2.80GHz; 512KB; BIOS
> version A05.
>
> I've tried to restore XP to a previous working starting point, I've tried to
> do a complete re-install of XP all under safe mode, and nothing works, XP
> still freezes up once the computer starts and it gets to the XP screen.
> When I try to re-install XP with the cd that came with the computer it won't
> let me beacuse it says the version installed on the computer is newer than
> the one on the cd. I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
> continue with the setup from the CD.
> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
> not done.
>
> ANY ideas on how can I fix this problem and get this computer back to
> working ok again?
>
> Please let me know, I'll appreciate it alot.
>
> Thanx


I'd bet on this being a hardware problem. The hard drive, RAM, or power supply
unit would be my first suspects. If it's the PSU, things could get complicated.
Many Dell systems use a non-standard PSU. That means you may not find a
replacement available at a local store. The only option would be to order one
from a web retailer.

Take a look at the back of the computer for a series of 4 lights. They should
all be green when the computer is on. If they're not, consult the manual for the
system to see what problem they're indicating. The manual for the system can be
obtained from the Dell support web site. Look on the back of your sister's
computer for a sticker with a bar code and a seven character alphanumeric code.
This is the system's service tag. Go to this web site, enter the service tag,
and download the manual.

Drivers and Downloads
http://support.dell.com/support/down...=us&l=en&s=gen

Dell also includes a diagnostic program that can be launched by hitting the F12
key at startup or booting from the Resources CD that would have been shipped
with the computer.

I'd also take a look inside the machine to see who manufactured the hard drive.
Once you have that info, check the company's web site for a utility designed to
test their hard drive.

Another easy item to test is the system's RAM. Take a look at this web site for
a program that will help with this task.

Memtest86
http://www.memtest86.com/

Good luck

Nepatsfan

nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>You will need to Perform a clean install,

DID THAT... Next time read before you reply:

>> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
>> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
>> continue with the setup from the CD.
>> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
>> not done.

"PD43" wrote:

> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >You will need to Perform a clean install,
>
> DID THAT... Next time read before you reply:
>
> >> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
> >> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
> >> continue with the setup from the CD.
> >> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
> >> not done.


And how you tried to Install/repair in safe Mode...hmmm, will do next time!.
nass
-----
http://www.nasstec.co.uk

nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


>"PD43" wrote:
>
>> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> >You will need to Perform a clean install,
>>
>> DID THAT... Next time read before you reply:
>>
>> >> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
>> >> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
>> >> continue with the setup from the CD.
>> >> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
>> >> not done.
>
>
>And how you tried to Install/repair in safe Mode...hmmm, will do next time!.
>nass

You still CAN'T READ.

I quoted the OP's post that YOU replied to. The OP CLEARLY stated
that a reinstall had been attempted and that it didn't work.

"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:mncot3ps3pjld1d2m5468f3ktedo3ue45m@4ax.com...
> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
>>"PD43" wrote:
>>
>>> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> >You will need to Perform a clean install,
>>>
>>> DID THAT... Next time read before you reply:
>>>
>>> >> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
>>> >> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process
>>> >> to
>>> >> continue with the setup from the CD.
>>> >> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the
>>> >> setup is
>>> >> not done.
>>
>>
>>And how you tried to Install/repair in safe Mode...hmmm, will do next
>>time!.
>>nass
>
> You still CAN'T READ.
>
> I quoted the OP's post that YOU replied to. The OP CLEARLY stated
> that a reinstall had been attempted and that it didn't work.

OP did NOT clearly state that a clean install had been attempted.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
www.fjsmjs.com
Do not reply with email

"Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM" <franksaunders@mvps.org> wrote:

>OP did NOT clearly state that a clean install had been attempted.

Then what did the following say:

>>>> >> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
>>>> >> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process
>>>> >> to continue with the setup from the CD.
>>>> >> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the
>>>> >> setup is not done.

"PD43" wrote:

> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
> >"PD43" wrote:
> >
> >> nass <nass@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >You will need to Perform a clean install,
> >>
> >> DID THAT... Next time read before you reply:
> >>
> >> >> I've even tried to boot straight from the CD and things
> >> >> move well till the computer has to re-boot halfway thru the process to
> >> >> continue with the setup from the CD.
> >> >> Now since I did that, it won't let me go into safe move because the setup is
> >> >> not done.
> >
> >
> >And how you tried to Install/repair in safe Mode...hmmm, will do next time!.
> >nass

What The FK you are drippling about and why you replying to my post. I don't
have a problem the OP does, so if you have an answer please post to the OP
not me I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, DO YOU understand!!!!.
HTH
nass
http://www.nasstec.co.uk