A computer problem

[FarmerPug]

Is it me or do computers just have a natural tendancy to f*ck up all the time, randomly and without any warning.
My macbook started randomly restarting last december to the point where it became unusable, it turns out it need as graphics card GPU, which means it needs a logic board and thats worth as much as a new one. Thats not the issuue of discussion however.

My panasonic toughbook thats used for PP2000 wont start up, it offers the option of start windows normally, and a few safe modes, but the start windows normally option just makes show windows xp, then a blue screen appears for a second (the message is fast but i do see "beginning dump of physical memory"), it restarts and ask the question again.
the safe mode option does a bit of the old matrix writing then eventually gets to a screen which says operating system not found

Could this be a hard drive issue or something else, the laptop was working fine the last time i used it.

[OllieNZ]

It sounds like a corruption issue rather than a physical fault, as to why no idea.... I would suggest attempting a system recovery.

[steve_earwig]

Return the system to the condition it was in the last time it worked. Or some such. Indeed, it sounds like data corruption or the HDD's going south.

Is it me or do computers just have a natural tendancy to f*ck up all the time, randomly and without any warning.
My macbook....

I think I can see what the problem is there. Did you try disinterring Steve Jobs and rebooting him?

[FarmerPug]

How can i do a system restore, i only get 3 different safe mode options which ultimatley say operating system not found, or start windows normally, i never got a copy of windows with the toughbook but it does seem genuine, there is one of them genuine windows stickers on the bottom of it, and its as battered and scratched as the rest of it. I dont mind reinstalling windows, but pp2000 lexia is a bit of a ballache having to reinstall.

[steve_earwig]

I think this is what you should be seeing:

It's the "last know good configuration" you want. It may just clatter for a while and come up with nothing but it's worth a try.

[OllieNZ]

I can't see steves pic but the initial splash screen should have a couple of options at the bottom like f2 for options, f11 for restore etc. Every pc is different and you only get a few seconds to pick an option but one of those should be system restore. Unfortunately it will probably take the system back to factory, unless you have set a restore point. The other option is to pull the hdd and stick it in as a second hdd in another computer and format it and then reinstall windows. Xp is fairly easy to find still.

[steve_earwig]

Balls. I can't see it now either (was ok on a preview) I should be able to find another though...

Edit: I hope that one works...

[OllieNZ]

Balls. I can't see it now either (was ok on a preview) I should be able to find another though...

Edit: I hope that one works...

Seems too....
Just to avoid confusion I'm referring to the initial screen that occurs before the computer starts windows

[steve_earwig]

Won't that just get you into the BIOS? I suppose it depends how the OS was installed and maybe if it has a rescue partition but I wouldn't hold out much hope. I don't think FP got any disks with the lappy either, so it'll need an install with a working key (even though there's one on the bottom I've never had any luck using those when I've found them).

[OllieNZ]

Won't that just get you into the BIOS?

it typically gives you 3 options one for bios, one for restore and I can't remember the last one. Hopefully between the two of us we haven't confused Fp to much and one of the suggestions will work.

[lozz]

http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm

[gumby6371]

Not much help for FP but Windows key stickers are notoriously crap at remaining readable on laptops. I usually write the key on a sticker and put it in the battery bay avoiding any contact points or screws obviously.
If you can get the laptop to boot then I suggest you install the demo version of tune up utilities as it has a handy feature for pulling the windows key up for future reference. Once you have that a clean install is always better but if it's corrupt due to a failing hard drive you're a bit screwed.
Best of luck with it, if you don't get anywhere and you only want the laptop for planet there are other 'options'

[jonsowman]

Is it me or do computers just have a natural tendancy to f*ck up all the time, randomly and without any warning.
My macbook started randomly restarting last december to the point where it became unusable, it turns out it need as graphics card GPU, which means it needs a logic board and thats worth as much as a new one. Thats not the issuue of discussion however.

I know this isn't really what you were asking about, but is it one of those listed here?
http://www.apple.com/uk/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Apple have extended the repair period for these units.

[FarmerPug]

Thanks jonsowman, unfortunatley mines a mid 2010, although im heading up to belfast with a lock of mates to see dara obrien so ill drop it in at the apple store and see if they can still fix it.

As for the panasonic, i left it in with a computer shop work uses and it turned out to be a corrupt registry, £20 got that sorted.