Can I reset it, or do I trash it?

Hi!

I currently have a HP Pavilion dv6000, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. (At least that what it says on the bottom...)

As you can see, I've had it forever, and it's been consistently falling apart for years. I'm cheap, so I've learned to live with it.

Recently I've noticed that my internet doesn't work sometimes when I try to open an additional window, so I've had to restart it constantly, a pain, but nothing too major. Then when I installed VLC to play music off a disc, it randomly started to crap out. Fine. I can also live with that.

Yesterday, I was looking up journal articles, and I didn't want to shut off my laptop because I wasn't finished, so I closed the cover with the window minimized and left it for several hours. When I came back, it opened up to the welcome choose user screen, but all the icons were missing. This has happened before, and always, because there's no shut down button available, I just yank out the battery and turn it back on, no big deal.

However, this time around, it's like my laptop is stuck in some weird loop, and is constantly starting up, without going anywhere. First I get the normal Windows start up screen, then it goes really quickly to this bright blue screen that I can't read before it flashes to the black screen with white writing that says something along the lines of my computer not starting normally/it didn't shut down normally, choose a start up option: safe mode, last known good configuration, and start normally, blah blah blah.

Then it goes back to the beginning and does it all over again. Forever. I've tried all the options, I've "turned it off" by taking out the battery and unplugging it, and that's as far as my tech savvy goes.

Help, please? What can I do? If this is a sign from above that I should get a new computer, fine, but I still want my files! Is there anyway I can take it apart, punch in some secret code, or freaky computer voodoo I can perform without taking it somewhere to get fixed? It just doesn't seem worth it since it's so old. And I'm afraid people will judge me.

Oh, and by the way, my "On" button stopped working years ago. Normally I have to press the quickplay DVD button and go to Windows from there.

Sorry for rambling! I'm just not sure what's important and what's not.

Thanks!

(Please be gentle. I don't know what I'm doing.)

 

To me it seems like your windows installation is corrupt. You would need to put in a windows xp installation disk and select "repair the OS".

If you dont have the disk, but you want your files, you can take out the notebooks harddrive and buy a usb caddy for it. Then you should be able to access your files from another computer.

 

"Yea, my son. It is time. Go forth and buy thee a new computer."

-God.

 

Well 2.0, uhm I mean God If moral hazard's idea of Windows repairing of the OS does not work, then yeah, it would be that time for a new computer....

The question then comes down to which one? As mlehcar mentioned he is "frugal" (nicer than saying cheap), it would be wise than to find a computer with the specs you need at a great price. Look for coupons too. Good luck.

KJ

 

If you use a CD bootable OS, some variant of Linux or Windows, you could recover files quite easily to thumbdrive or external hdd.

After file recovery, if I remember right, F11 at boot launched system recovery.

 

Hey, thanks!

I'm definitely going to try both. Now if I can just figure out how to find a Windows installation disk, my life will be complete! Not sure if I should attempt to take out my own hard drive, I'm pretty clumsy so I'll probably end up ruining my life. Though I'm relieved find out that there is still hope for my files!

Not it's just a matter of figuring out whether it's worth the effort or not.

Thanks again for the advice, moral_hazard, I really appreciate it!

God, thanks for the encouragement. Now that I know that a new computer is part of your Plan for me, I'll make sure I don't disappoint! XD

Killa_Joe, you are too kind. I am beyond frugal when it comes to these things! I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that a new laptop is in the works for me, I was just wishing and hoping that I could ride it out for another few months. I'm just more concerned about resuscitating my computer long enough that I can save my files. Thanks for your input!

KFL, thanks! I'll try that, Fingers crossed that I don't mess it up even more!

 

Don't remove the battery to shut it off. Hold the power switch down for 5 seconds. This forces a power-off, in a somewhat gentler fashion than physically removing the battery.

Yes, sounds like your OS is corrupted, which may be due to your hard drive having gotten thoroughly confused.

Lastly, this thing may be so old that F11 at bootup won't work (it may not have the system recovery on the D: partition...)

 

Usually DV6000's came with recovery partition and you could burn the discs yourself. Old, but not _that_ old

 

mlehcar,
do you remember if there was a "Recovery Partition" in My Computer? Usually its the one that everyone wants to know what it is next to the C partition in My Computer. If there was then the F11 as already stated should get you to the Recovery and install Windows, etc, back to day one as it was when it was new.

Or do you have the Recovery CDs (DVDs maybe), since you seemed to think you had something on a CD somewhere.

Before attempting to Recover the system to day one and loose everything first pop the hard drive out. You need to put it in a 2.5" external hard drive enclosure (take your hard drive with you to get an enclosure to make sure you get either the old IDE or the newer SATA for what ever your hard drive actually is). It comes with a with a USB cable and then plug that in to another computer to browse your hard drive to get your files, music, pictures off it. Then put the hard drive back in the old laptop and try the F11 Recovery or use Recovery CD or DVD if thats what you have. Or even a straight Windows XP disc from someone else to install just to see if the laptop is ok after all.

Good luck.

 

Hey Nilst,

So. I'm not sure if there's a "Recover Partition" in My computer, and I may or may not have a Recovery CD, but I'm pretty sure I know how to get my baby back to basics.

But thanks so much for telling me about external hard drive enclosures, being so clear! I never knew they existed, I googled it, and not only does it sound like everything I've ever dreamed of, but it seems like something I can actually attempt on my own!

The only thing I'm worried about, is screwing with my hard drive. I told a friend that I was planning to take it out on my own, and she said that it's pretty easy to mess up, and I might lose my files forever. But I don't know, it looks pretty straight forward, so I'm gonna try it anyway. Better than paying x-amount of dollars for someone else to do the exact same thing, anyway.

Upward and onward!

Thanks again!

 

I've had hard drives in and out, upgraded on my laptops for years. They simply slip right out of their socket if you turn the laptop upside down and take the cover off. Need small screwdrivers. You're not getting in to the internals of the laptop.

The only other thing is once you have it in your hand you will see its mounted in a thin metal frame, "cradle", that has to also be removed off the hard drive before you have the actual hard drive only. Then it will fit in the external enclosure. Just be sure you write down the model number of the hard drive to buy the correct enclosure, SATA or the older IDE connection. Its really easy.

 

you cant really destroy your files just by removing the harddrive... now if you drop it on the floor and it bursts into a million pieces then you have a problem