How to Repair Boot Errors

It is not uncommon for a PC to display errors during the boot-up process. These errors mean that some component of your PC's operating system has encountered a problem. The problem needs to be fixed before you can fully access and safely move around your PC. Use the following steps if errors have you locked out of your PC during the boot-up process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Change the boot sequence so that your PC accesses the CD-ROM drive first during boot-up.

2. Insert the operating system installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. Restart the PC.

3. Select "Yes" to any prompts that ask you to select the CD-ROM drive as the first drive in the boot-up process.

4. Press "R" when the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears to start the Recovery Console.

5. Select the installation you want to access from the Recovery Console if more than one is presented. Multiple options are usually presented if you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot PC.

6. Type the Administrator password and press "Enter." If the administrator password is blank, just press "Enter."

7. Enter the following at the command prompt: COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C: COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:[where X=CD ROM Drive].

8. Remove the CD ROM from the PC. Type "Exit," and then press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• There are also commercial software products that troubleshoot and fix boot-up errors such as Hard Drive Mechanic from Higher Ground Software.

[jay3sem]

on 5/20/2009 what caused my computer to get stuck at a "DELL" screen after I successfuly turned it off and awhile later back on??? and how do I aproach it now?