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Compaq Mini won't load XP. Black Screen - No Cursor

I've been working on a friend's computer for almost a 1/2 day now and I still can't get this thing to boot.

It loads the Splash Screen (Windows Logo), but when that disappears there is only a black screen left and nothing happens after that. There appears to be HDD activity for a few seconds after that, but then nothing. Here are a few things I have tried so far.

Unplugged all external devices and removed the battery. Disconnect the AC adapter and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds as the users manual instructed

Made a Bootable Flash Drive. Modified the msconfig file to disable all on the startup tab

Modified the boot.ini file with the /bootlog swtich - I still cannot find a bootlog, so I don't think it's loading far enough in to even create one

Tried loading into safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt and last known good configuration to no avail

Last Known Good Configuration gives a blue screen, but regardless of how many times I try to get the Disable Automatic Restart to work the system keeps restarting so I cannot read the error message

I am completely open to any other suggestions as I can't think of anything else. Keep in mind this netbook doesn't have any Optical Drives. It's a Compaq Mini 110c-1100dx. Which reminds me, I've already tried the F6 at startup. That doesn't work either :)

akhalighi

oh man ... that's awful . I think the best method is to make a bootable USB drive ( with XP on it ) and do a repair install.

akhalighi

Here are some howto's for making abootable USB drive ( XP loaded), you need to select USB device from boot menu.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/solutionbase-boot-windows-xp-from-a-usb-flash-drive/5928902

http://www.intowindows.com/bootable-usb/

Wesley Lennon

Try going to BIOS, see if you can enable the USB device to be recognized as a boot device since you cannot get into the OS. Make sure you have all the compaq drivers, they can be downloaded for free...Is there still a partition with the OS and drivers there? If so that will be the easiest way.

If you have another computer around, the XP OS and drivers are here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=4071201

Chris B

Sounds like an inaccessible/unmountable boot device. If this is the case, chkdsk /r will generally correct it, but before doing that confirm the blue screen by recording the monitor while it boots with a video camera or your cellphone. If the file system is corrupt, chkdsk can lose data, so backing up important data first is also worthwhile.

Chris B

edbedb

You didn't mention trying the Windows Services only (I think) from the boot menu. That will often work when the others won't.

gheist

Update BIOS
HP minis are known to lose firmware programming sometimes owing to their low price.

BCipollone

I would try these things until 1 worked:

a) Get into BIOS and run Hardware Diagnostics if it has it. Probably a bad HD.
b) Boot from the windows CD and try to repair your installation
c) Hook the hard drive up to another computer and try to recover the data
d) Re-install Windows
e) Get a new hard drive and start over.

gheist

0) reset BIOS to defaults

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Merete

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Wesley Lennon

He doesn't have a CD/DVD ROM Drive..The link I provided above is the OS and drivers for the Compaq Mini 110c-1100dx, but will have to be downloaded from another PC/Laptop.

burrcm (from above) about had a good thing to try, running chkdsk /r

Helo Merrete :)

Brad Sims

ASKER

So many suggestions, so little time! Thanks for all the suggestions!

Here's where I am so far starting from top to bottom:

akhalighi - I tried both suggestions for gettting a bootable XP CD, but no luck. It won't boot for whatever reason.

burrcm: - I ran chkdsk /r once, but it's currently running right now. I figure it couldn't hurt to give it another shot.

edbedb - I don't have a "Windows Services Only" selection on my menu?

gheist - BIOS update was successful, but still nothing...{{{SIGH}}}

Merete - This was only a single boot system with Windows XP SP3, no Linux. I may purchase the recovery CDs if I can't get anything else to work. I will also check out your videos on getting XP on USB. Not having much luck with it before...

BCipollone - This is a friend's system and he's only 14. A new HDD is out of the question right now. The recovery CDs are only $15, so that's about all he has to spend :)

edbedb

"I don't have a "Windows Services Only" selection on my menu?"

Okay it is actually "Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)"

If you don't see it, try pressing F8 immediately after selecting safe mode.

Brad Sims

ASKER

As update:

I am trying the Repair Install from a flash drive tonight. I misplaced my flash drive and just found it yesterday evening.

I have the Restore CDs en route just in case that doesn't work either...

Brad Sims

ASKER

I couldn't get Windows XP to boot from USB. Ended up just reinstalling from the Restore DVDs.

Merete

Thankyou John15-16 glad I could assist you a little.
Hope you windows is back up and running.
Cheers
Merete