Broken computer... won't turn on

Question

Am unable to turn the computer on. It comes up with a message saying that it has been shut down to prevent damage. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

Also it says to run CHKDSK/F but i don't know how to do this or how to disacble the anti-virus software without going into the main area of the computer

Thanks

Answer 1

If you have a Windows XP installation CD, then you should boot up the computer from that.  When given the choice, choose R for Repair.

From the command prompt, type: CHKDSK /F

It may take a long time to check your entire hard drive.  So go do some other activity while you wait for the CHKDSK to complete.

If you do not have a Windows XP installation CD, borrow a friend's Windows XP installation CD.

Also, to get help on commands like CHKDSK, just type the command and /?.  For example, to get help with CHKDSK, type: CHKDSK /?

All the basic functions of CHKDSK will be laid out, with as little helpful information as Microsoft deigned to include.

Answer 2

Windows XP

Step by Step:

Step1 Be aware that it is no longer necessary to run Chkdsk F from the DOS command line. You can still do it this way if you'd like (open the DOS command line and type "chkdsk /f"), but Chkdsk is now integrated into Windows itself.

Step2 Run Windows XP normally, allowing it to load fully.

Step3 Access the "My Computer" menu. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and clicking the "My Computer" menu option. You can also double-click the "My Computer" icon if you've enabled it on your desktop.

Step4 Right-click on the drive on which you wish to run the Chkdsk F command.

Step5 Click "Properties" in the right-click context menu.

Step6 Click on the "Tools" tab in the Properties window.

Step7 Click on the "Check Now" button in the "Error-checking" frame of the Tools tab.

Step8 Click in the "Automatically fix file system errors" check box under the "Check disk options" frame in the following window. This is the step which enables the "/f" command in Chkdsk.

Step9 Click "Start" to begin the Chkdsk scan. If there are a lot of processes running in the background, or if Chkdsk determines that it should be run when you next restart your computer, it will suggest it. It is always advisable to run the Chkdsk from the restart in this case.

Step10 Set your system to safe mode with the "/SAFEBOOT" command from the MSCONFIG program. Click "Start" and "Run." Type "MSCONFIG" and enable the "/SAFEBOOT" option from the BOOT.INI tab if your anti-virus or anti-spyware software is conflicting with the Chkdsk process.

Answer 3

As your system is booting up press F8.  (If you don't know when to do this just keep pressing F8 until the menu comes up.)

You should be able to boot in safe mode or with the last known good configuration.  

If you can boot to safe mode go to Start, Run and type Cmd.  This will bring up the Command window.  Looks like old DOS.  It's there that you can run your Chkdsk /F command.