How to unfreeze computer?

Question

I have an older e machines using windows xp. when I turn it on, it goes to the screen "windows is starting up" and freezes. a friend went

to safe mode and tried to set it to return to the last date where it worked...but nothing. Anyway to unfreeze? save info on hd?

I'm puter dense, so speak simply!

Answer 1

i have the same computer, what i do is i hold the power button untill it turns off, then i turn it back on

Answer 2

Hello From the Tech:

The only good way is to:

1 Start the computer into safe mode and transfer all of the files onto a couple of USB sticks depending on the amount of files you want to save.  You can purchase them very cheap at any electronic store.  

2. Physically remove or if you dont have the mechanical skills find someone that can remove the drive from the damaged system and daisy chain it into your working system and copy all files from the installed drive to the good one.

You can then Put the drive back into the older system or if you dont plan on using the older E machine system just leave the drive in your newer system and format it for additional storage.

Have a gr8 Day,

NightHawk

PS remember if you format you loose all of the information you are trying to save in the first place.

Answer 3

Your first issue is that your using an E-machine, their hardware has always been known to be second rate.  Your problem maybe in your start-up items.  Have your friend go into Safe Mode again and do this:

1.)  Click Start

2.)  Click Run

3.)  Type this:  MSCONFIG and hit Enter

4.)  Click on Start Up tab at top.

5.)  Disable all items from starting up.

6.)  Click Apply and then Close.

7.)  Reboot system normally.

I had this exact same thing happen to me before, it ended up being my Anti-virus program that caused the issue.

6.)  If your running McAfee or Norton it maybe to much for your Emachine to run.  Try uninstalling your AV program and going with something a little less processor intensive such as AVG or AVAST.

Answer 4

Try re-loading windows back onto your computer from the early start menu.

Answer 5

Reformat the hard drive and reinstall windows, or simply replace the hard drive.