Problem of getting your computer to start up

One of the most difficult things and the most serious is when your computer does not start up. Since your computer cannot tell you why he is not starting up it is not easy to find the cause for the fault.

But there are a number of steps you can take which may help you to get the problem sorted out, and if not you will be able to tell a qualified computer technician something about the behaviour of your computer which may give him some indication what is wrong and he may find it easier to fix with your input.

Normally a start up problem is in one way or the other connected with a problem of the hard drive(hard disk) The hard drive contains all of the system files the computer need in order to function, and of course it also contains all of your documents which may be lost if the problem is really severe and this could mean in the worst possible scenario loss of data.This is really the worst possible outcome and in most cases the start up problem can be resolved, but it also could be a very serious problem indeed.

If one of the Windows files did get damaged than this is usually enough to prevent your PC from starting. The hard disk of a computer is made up of a read and write 'head' which is located above the magnetised disks which is constantly spinning. The distance between the head and the disk is only  a fraction of a millemeter. It works a little bit like the old fashion record player with a needle touching the record. In the case of a computer the 'head reads´the data without touching it.

If however the head comes in contact with the disk (this can happen if you would have moved your PC whilst it was switched on)than data could have been destroyed, and this could lead to your PC not starting up.

In many cases the fault is not as serious. It could just be that you need t check all the cables are plugged in correctly, that the monitor has been turned on, that the brightness control of your monitor has not accidentally been switched off and that the cable connecting the monitor to the PC is connected

firmly.

If all that does not help to get your PC working again switch the PC off, wait for a minute or two and switch it back on. Watch the screen and if it remains blank pay attention to how many beeps your computer makes during the process of trying to start up. The number of beeps can give your computer technician a hint as to what is wrong.

Your computer does tells you what could be wrong

After turning your Pc on you may get some 'Error Messages' which will give you a hint as to what causes the problem.

Can't find Operating System and/or Boot disk failure:
If you see one of these two 'Error Messages' your PC has a hard drive/disk problem. Insert your CD-ROM Installation disk of XP and start your PC from the CD-ROM

Diskette boot failure or Non-system disk:
Each one of these messages do mean in principle the same. The PC tell you that there is a floppy disk in the 'A drive? and that the PC is trying to make use of the floppy. Take out the floppy, turn your PC off and switch it on again. Before you shut down your PC always check if there is a CD or a floppy left in the PC. If there is take it out before you shut down.

201 Memory Error or Parity Error:
If you see these messages it is because your Pc most likely has a problem with with  the memory chip, and it maybe that the chip needs to be replaced. The message informing you of a 'Parity Error' could be even more serious.. It could be that your Motherboard needs replacing, or it also could point to a virus. Get your technician to have a look.