Windows dis not start successfully

HiKoGaWa — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:11:32 +0800

Hi. My computer isn't able to start up normally. Since about a week ago my screen will be stuck at the Windows did not start successfully screen where it prompts you to choose if you want to start Windows through safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt, last known good configuration, and start windows normally.

I've read that this problem can be solved by going to the control panel and such, but unfortunately, ,y screen is stuck at that. I'm not able to choose any of the options and the countdown timer i remember that used to be there isn't there. I have left it on like this for some time in case it's having some problem with loading windows or something like that but it isn't working. My keyboard is working fine as I'm able to go to the CMOS setup. (BTW I've just learn how to restart the BIOS password by removing the batteries. The shop which help me reformat it last time was kind enough to help me set it so that I must go back to him if i wanna reformat it >.<)

Back to the problem, I haven't installed any new hardware into my cpu since ages ago, the last software I downloaded seems to be trustworthy enough (pps.tv), I've shut down my computer normally the last time it was working, and the only major changes I have made that could probably upset the system is probably changing the language system to Chinese so that i can read the words on some of my software. It ask me for a windows CD or something like that but I forgotten how I manage to get around it. (don't really remember how) And even after that I was able to turn it on and my computer was working as normal. I went to work and when I came back it wasn't working anymore. It seems my brother tried to turn it on but it was exactly the same way it looked right now. He swears that he didn't touched it before it broke down.

I took my casing off the first time by myself (yeah, i know it's kinda lame), everything seems in place. If I take out my hard disk containing windows, it ask my to insert a boot disk into my floppy drive ( and yeah, I know my computer's an antique), and after putting it back it gets stuck back at the same screen.

I don't know if this is relevant or not but sometimes my CD reader would pop open even without me pressing the open button. Some times it doesn't respond when I press the button. But if my assumptions are right the hard disk thats connected to that driver isn't the one isn't the one with windows on it (the hard disk that I took out is another hard disk, so I have two separate hard disk). Another thing is one of my drivers aren't able to be opened normally, when I double click it after going into my computer the "open with" window appears. I'm still able to open it by exploring my computer first tough.

I can't run any anti virus program or virus checking program or stuff like that because I can't even load windows properly. I'm using windows XP. I'm not familiar with how to use DOS or even how to get there.

Long story short:
I'm stuck at the Windows did not start successfully screen. I didn't install any hardware or touch anything that should cause any problem. All my hardware seems in place. I can't choose any option to start windows.

So~

Should I try reformatting my computer (again another first) or is there another way around this problem? I read that if I want to backup any of my files on the hard disk i should take it out and use it on another com to back it up, but I'm afraid that this might be some sort of virus and I don't really wanna infect another com.

And if I should be formatting it, can somebody give me a link to somewhere that has information on how to format a computer? as I still have some important stuff I wanna backup.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Just for completeness sake, the screen I'm seeing now says:
We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Start Windows Normally

Use the up down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

Nothing on my keyboard, mouse or cpu would respond other than the power and the reset button. Keyboard works at the CMOS setup page.

PS: first post, don't flame me please =x and I hope this description isn't too long. Thanks in advance.

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Windows dis not start successfully