[SOLVED] Windows XP USB Boot Problem

[Robel Mekonnen]

Hello I have an old Dell PC that wont boot. When the PC loads up after the Dell logo it gives me options like boot from Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Last Known Good Configuration that worked, Start Windows Normally. After choosing all the options I get a blue screen for a second and the PC restarts. I tried booting Windows XP through an ISO on a USB Flash Drive by changing the boot order so USB drive is first but I get an error that says something like press any key to boot from usb drive. Then says can't read. I put the XP ISO on the usb drive through Rufus. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[SamirD]

Try changing the hard drive controller to or from ahci. Did this system always do this or did it just start?

 

[Robel Mekonnen]

It just happened this morning. It was always working.

 

[TerryLaze]

Just copying the iso to an usb doesn't work with older systems, you have to turn it into an usb installation try using WinSetupFromUSB

 

[Robel Mekonnen]

Ok I got the USB to boot to windows xp setup screen and chose the repair option. Now when I try to type in the windows command it says the command is not recognized. Also I dont know why my file path on the screen is C:\> and not C:\

 

[Robel Mekonnen]

I entered the command C:\>CHKDSK and it said CHKDSK found one or more errors on the volume. Now I entered C:\>CHKDSK C: /R to try and repair it, I'll let you know what happens when its completed.

 

[Robel Mekonnen]

Ok It said CHKDSK found and fixed one or more errors on the volume. I restarted the PC and everything works now. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[SamirD]

Interesting that this was fixed with chkdsk. I would back up any important information on that drive. It may fail shortly. I would personally boot the ultimate boot cd and run parted magic from there and the short and long smart tests.

 

[Robel Mekonnen]

Ok I've never used ultimate boot cd so I'll keep you updated on it thank you.

 

[SamirD]

You're welcome. It's boots and runs in ram so it won't touch the drive except when you tell it to. You can also use clonezilla in the parted magic boot to image the entire drive to files and write it to another drive for an exact copy.