"Error loading operating system"

[Ingemar]

I haven't been able to use my computer this week because I get that message (see thread title) before my OS, XP Media Center Edition (professional?) can load.

I've checked Google for possible causes of said error but none of the solutions were working. Usually the problem had to do with installing XP but of course I am not installing at all.

All I know is that it started when Dad put the computer on standby. Now, I distinctly remember this computer not having a standby function at all, so maybe that is something.

[Mithrandir]

Hmm... Have you tried rebooting the machine into safe mode, or anything of that nature? Also, does the install disk allow you to do a "system repair" or something similar?

(Sorry for the somewhat vague questions - I haven't used XP in a while...)

[Ingemar]

I do not get far enough in the boot up sequence to run Safe mode.

I also try to reinstall the OS from the CD but it won't install on C: even though it was partitioned for XP!!! To do that I would have to create a partition which means I have to format my hard drive.

That is one bridge I do NOT want to cross unless life and death demands it, and frankly I don't think anyone died because of the inability to check e-mail.

[Warrior4Christ]

I also try to reinstall the OS from the CD but it won't install on C: even though it was partitioned for XP!!! To do that I would have to create a partition which means I have to format my hard drive.

If it no longer thinks a partition exists, it sounds like something bad happened to the hard disk...

[Saj]

if you can get a spare hard drive and install windows on it, try to recover from your original drive and then format. if you cant reinstall windows, or do a system repair at this point, the drive might be beyond saving.

-- oskiee

[Ingemar]

I do in fact have an extra hard drive so I'm thinking of just formatting that one (there isn't anything super important in that one) and installing XP there.

When that's done, I'll kick my computer out of spite.

[Saj]

Ive done that before and it fixed the problem i was having.

[Mithrandir]

You might also try using the install CD to boot to a command line and typing:

Code: Select all

fdisk /mbr


This will rebuild the master boot record from the backup copy. If the partition table is corrupted, this is the last normal shot you have at recovery (that I know of). If that doesn't work, you'll have to try and rebuild the partition based on the file fragments, but that's typically done by professionals. There are probably some open source tools out there, but I have played with anything very recently.

Good luck!

[Ingemar]

I've heard of that solution but I do not know when and how I can type fdisk /mbr.

[Ingemar]

Well, I resolved my problem but I nuked my secondary (less important) HD before solving the problem. It was with a command called fixboot.