Hello everyone,
I need some help here, I've got a Windows XP Media Center 2005 operating system and a hp pavillion 6190 notebook.
The problem is that it won't boot.
Basically, after turning on the laptop, I've got this windows asking me if I want to boot on safe mode, Last known good configuration... I've tried everything it still won't boot (Switch on verytime it switched off).
After doing some research on the internet, i came across a software (BART PE Builder) which builds cd boot. So I burned one fron a different laptop (xp home system). When I put the cd in my laptop, I had this blue screen telling that "sytem32/winsrv.dll in not a valid windows...please ckeck this against your installion diskette"

After, I decided to send it on a repair. Basically, the guy told me that the hard drive needs to be changed, apparently there is a bad sector on it (d't know what it means??)
Also, i want to recover my data..The IT shop wants to charge me £80 for recovering of my data and about £200 for a new hard drive.

So guys if anyone could help me out as I'd like to try to fix this problem myself (if possible)??

Every suggestion is welcomed...

Hello,You cannot use XP home to boot media center.

You maybe able to download a boot disk from this site:Bootdisk.Com - Free Windows Bootdisks, Free DOS boot disk

Does the post screen show up and do you see your hard drive listed there?

Are you able to get into BIOS/Setup?

Did you not recieve any recovery disks with this machine when you purchased it?

James
To start with I'm not going to pretend to know more then Jelly Bean, What I' know I learned the hard way and I've made my mistakes. Out of necessity I have had to replace a laptop hard drive and was unable to recover any data on it, a total crash. Thankfully it was my teenage sons and he had nothing important in the way of data on it.
Now if you are more at ease with windows then DOS and you can still reboot in safe mode, you should be able to back up your data from there. I hope you still have those Recovery disks that you got when you purchased you laptop. As a precaution, while the computer is still on, make a list of all the programs that you installed so that you can later find the disks or downloads for them. After making you list, reboot with the bootdisk Jelly Bean told you about. From DOS you can run a Disk Check for any bad spots on it. If it's bad you can replace it, if it is good, I suggest reformatting and a clean install. But one step at a time, get it backup & a diskcheck done.

To Jelly Bean,

sorry for replying that late but I didn't see your questions...
First of all I'm able to get into the BIOS set up...When I bought the laptop, I didn't get any recovery disks..I made one though but not working...and I do not get any post screen....

It is ok not to worry.

Did you download a bootdisk from the link I posted and use that?

The repair guy says bad hard drive?Now you could try the boot disk and DOS like Wilson said.

Or you can buy convert leads to convert the hard drive to external and hope fully recover or transfer the data to another pc then buy a new hard drive and reformat.

If the HDD is failing the boot disk may not work.I would get the convert leads for a notebook hard drive you can buy in most good computer shops or on ebay.

I haven't done it yet. I have to say that I was quite confused when I visited the link u gave me. I Do not really which one is the best for me but I will give it a go...
It the seems to me that the easiest option would be to buy a convert leads( never heard of that word before(lol)...) Are they expensive and are they easy to use?...
The thing is I really need to get some of my data back as it was really important...
I know u must think what an idiot for not backing his data...(lol)

James there are millions of people who never backup there data so no you are not an idiot.

To be honest the hard drive is failing and if you keep trying to boot the notebook it could fail and data is lost.

The convert leads are not expencive it depends on what sort of hard drive you have fitted also.Either IDE or SATA and usaly laptop hard drives are slightly diffrent to computer hard drives.

Now depending on your hard drive something like this is ideal:NEW PC USB 2.0 to IDE External hard drive DVD CD Cable on eBay, also, IDE, Cables Connectors, Computing (end time 27-May-08 22:30:00 BST)

USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE/2.5/3.5 Hard Drive Converter Cable on eBay, also, Serial ATA SATA, Cables Connectors, Computing (end time 20-May-08 18:45:00 BST)

The above are examples I have the second set.

They are not hard to connect up and there are instructions in the box.

You would connect the power cable to the power port on the hard drive then connect usb cable to the HDD do this while it is not powered to a socket.Then plug into USB on PC or another laptop then plug in to wall socket then power on.Open my computer to see if it is listed there.If it is not open device manager and update USB drivers this hopefully would then pick up the hard drive.

Once it is picked up and shows in my computer right click and explore the drive and move your files.

Hope this helps?