I have a Toshiba M50 (Aus) laptop that would boot up ok in XP but after a few seconds of an OK desktop would show the BSOD. I tried restore in safe mode but the calendar would not access any other date so restore was not an option. Tried booting from the supplied boot CD (no important files to keep and wanted a "fresh" start. CD ran but still will NOT boot from HDD at all. CD has ".pqi" file on it and HDD has what appears to be normal WinXP files. Could the boot sector be damaged/missing? How can I restore this? How can I make further checks? What do I do next? I have HDD now in external case on my desktop for formatting (if required). Can I format it and what is the chance of reformatting it in the wrong format (NTFS or FAT) and how do I choose?
Solution
blackcell989
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- Jun 9, 2013
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You can try and perform a repair install. You will need the Windows XP operating system disk. Here's a link to how to perform a repair install. Link: http
/www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
You'll have to research which button you need to press during your computer boot up process to select the DVD to boot from.
/www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htmYou'll have to research which button you need to press during your computer boot up process to select the DVD to boot from.
Thanks blackcell989 for the reply. Having read the info on the link it looks like the repair install can only be used if I can access Windows. Having already done a reboot from the original cd and wiped out everything on the HDD, but loading the windows files to the HDD from the .PQI file it will not boot at all. The original Win files were preloaded on the HDD so I don't have a copy of Win XP. Surely tere is something wrong with the HDD. ANy ideas?
Tom Tancredi
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- May 9, 2013
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Honestly, IF the Hard Drive isn't faulty (should run HDDTEST on it) then you can make a DBAN CD, put the drive back in the M50, boot off the CD and wipe the drive. Put in the SYSTEM RESTORE (PQI last I remembered was a backup image program from Paragon that made a backup image you had to restore from) but usually NOT a BOOT CD (the terms are specific here) and let it restore the blank system back to FACTORY IMAGE.
If this is this ancient http/www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-satellite-m50/specs/ system (2005!!! 10 years old) not only is it NOT worth the effort (new replacement HDD won't work as they only sell SATA III drives and this be legacy IDE) but there wouldn't be any other solutions around as hardware is only supported for 3 years before it is expected to fail for parts. I would toss this and just head to the store, laptops are crazy cheap (like CELL PHONE cheap) you can get for around $249US if you just need a general use laptop.
If this is this ancient http
/www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-satellite-m50/specs/ system (2005!!! 10 years old) not only is it NOT worth the effort (new replacement HDD won't work as they only sell SATA III drives and this be legacy IDE) but there wouldn't be any other solutions around as hardware is only supported for 3 years before it is expected to fail for parts. I would toss this and just head to the store, laptops are crazy cheap (like CELL PHONE cheap) you can get for around $249US if you just need a general use laptop.Hi Tom
Thanks for the info. I think the suggestion about restoring the PC back to Factory Image is what I have attempted. With the "Recovery CD" (containing nothing but the ".PQI file) in the laptop I chose to boot from that which started a program to copy all the original files to the HDD. I was then asked to reboot the laptop which I did but all I got was a black screen with the flashing cursor in the top left corner. I was expecting Win Xp to start up. I have no idea what a DBAN CD is or how to create it from a laptop that will not boot.
OK Now how to I run HDDTEST? I have looked within windows and at CMD Prompt (HDDTEST I
to no avail. Isn't this built in somewhere?
If the HDD is unbootable I can get 2.5" HDDs that are IDE on ebay without paying too much for them. Not worried about paying $25 for it but would like to get this old and redundant laptop working for my grandson and I am more than willing to put a few hours into it.
Thanks for the info. I think the suggestion about restoring the PC back to Factory Image is what I have attempted. With the "Recovery CD" (containing nothing but the ".PQI file) in the laptop I chose to boot from that which started a program to copy all the original files to the HDD. I was then asked to reboot the laptop which I did but all I got was a black screen with the flashing cursor in the top left corner. I was expecting Win Xp to start up. I have no idea what a DBAN CD is or how to create it from a laptop that will not boot.
OK Now how to I run HDDTEST? I have looked within windows and at CMD Prompt (HDDTEST I
to no avail. Isn't this built in somewhere?If the HDD is unbootable I can get 2.5" HDDs that are IDE on ebay without paying too much for them. Not worried about paying $25 for it but would like to get this old and redundant laptop working for my grandson and I am more than willing to put a few hours into it.
Tom Tancredi
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- May 9, 2013
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Hi there,
Based on your answers you really don't seem to be familiar with SOFTWARE and seem to know your HARDWARE. While hardware wise you may feel this is 'capable' as a redundant laptop for your grandson, I am sorry to say that He will just politely put it in the back of the closet and use his smartphone to 'get things done' in comparision for a multitude of reasons, especially as 'children' tend to be looking to 'game' on it and the laptop is not even close to running anything much less a UNSUPPORTED OS (XP is no longer supported, meaning no drivers, no patches, no fixes, etc.).
I would recommend, to save time and effort, head to Walmart, grab a $249 laptop off the shelf and give that and the grandson will be basically happy (though pretty upset can't play Call of Duty or such - LOL) for doing the generic stuff (youtube, email, typing in word for school work).
That said: All steps would need to be performed on your computer not the laptop. The steps like running HDDTEST (a add on application you have to download) or creating a DBAN CD (again simple google search will yield the link) are all software steps that you need to have more then a 'basic' knowledge of software. YOU are IN the point you need SOFTWARE experience as your in the GUTS, and you will be doing all this on your own, there is no step by steps that will cover telling you the basics (i.e. HDDTEST is NOT a Windows command !).
Based on your answers you really don't seem to be familiar with SOFTWARE and seem to know your HARDWARE. While hardware wise you may feel this is 'capable' as a redundant laptop for your grandson, I am sorry to say that He will just politely put it in the back of the closet and use his smartphone to 'get things done' in comparision for a multitude of reasons, especially as 'children' tend to be looking to 'game' on it and the laptop is not even close to running anything much less a UNSUPPORTED OS (XP is no longer supported, meaning no drivers, no patches, no fixes, etc.).
I would recommend, to save time and effort, head to Walmart, grab a $249 laptop off the shelf and give that and the grandson will be basically happy (though pretty upset can't play Call of Duty or such - LOL) for doing the generic stuff (youtube, email, typing in word for school work).
That said: All steps would need to be performed on your computer not the laptop. The steps like running HDDTEST (a add on application you have to download) or creating a DBAN CD (again simple google search will yield the link) are all software steps that you need to have more then a 'basic' knowledge of software. YOU are IN the point you need SOFTWARE experience as your in the GUTS, and you will be doing all this on your own, there is no step by steps that will cover telling you the basics (i.e. HDDTEST is NOT a Windows command !).
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