Unable to load operating system

[XOXSherbearOXO]

Hi all,

I have some cumputer knowledge and have restored several of my friends computers with great success. Recently I was given a HP Compaq5000 MT loaded with XP Pro. When booted all it did was go to the start-up screen and no matter what I click on it just continued to restart. At first I thought the issue was due to excessive build up of dust and grime. So I took all the parts out, cleaned and reassembled them. It now runs better but has no operating system.

[dishuser]

hard drive probably isn't connected

[XOXSherbearOXO]

Thanks,

How do you mean, "hard drive isn't connected"?
As in, first to load?

XOXSherbearOXO

[homepc]

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[dishuser]

if it says no OS that usually means drive isn't connected

[XOXSherbearOXO]

Thanks,

Must say to the best of my knowledge, floppy, cd/dvd and hard drive are all connected. When I power up it displays the XP Pro logo screen. It seems to me that I am in need of the original OP system disc. I do have the Microsoft Key for this, but don't know where to go or what to do with this Key.

XOXSherbearOXO

[XOXSherbearOXO]

homepc

-----------------------????????

[sandry]

check bios setting. in sata mode change IDE to AHCI or AHCI to IDE and try to load operation system.

[Nostradamus]

it sounds like the Windows boot up files are corrupted. You do have a couple of options possibly available to you.

insert a windows xp cd and then reboot. It should boot from the CD, if not change the boot sequence in the BIOS to make cd priority over the hard drive. Then you can select "repair" from the menu on the CD. Another option you might have is to check their website and find out how to do a complete recovery. More than likely the copy of Windows is already installed on a hidden partition on the drive irtelf

[eyeQ]

check the memory ram are properly connected and sufficient ..

[satchick]

Since the system makes it to the XP splash screen, the hard drive is connected properly and the memory is fine. This is definitely a software issue, it sounds like your system files are corrupted. This could be the result of malware infections, user error, or bad sectors on the hard drive. Since this machine is from an unknown source, you're probably better off formatting the drive and doing a clean install of the OS.

[bdnewt007]

It actually could be memory problems, I had a computer that would boot to splash screen and freeze and it was bad memory. If you have two slots of memory you might uninstall one stick at a time to see if it is a memory issue, or you can go online and find memory checkers, but sometimes they take along time.