Pending: PC restarting from DOS

janet_c · 10-20-2008

HELP! I recently installed Office 2007 (Student, Service Desk Edition) to my middle-aged eMachines (6 years old). Soon after, it slowed down and then began locking up altogether. I was in the process of changing docs from works spreadsheets to Excell so I could uninstall Works, but, still had quite a bit to do. I tried running virus scans (AT&T Internet Sec Suite and House Call) but they would not complete. I installed and ran SpyBot and was able to get the AT & T scan to go a little further, but, it still would not complete. (Was reading that it had been scanning 15 minutes when I knew it had been running two hours. When after it started locking up, I was not able to shut down thru Windows; had to just hold button til it powered down. NOW, when I turn the computer on, it only goes as far as the DOS start screen. I've tried 'last known' and everey form of safe mode, but, the system just restarts. I've tried letting the 'normal Windows start' timer run out, but again-restart.
Is there something I can do, or, has my desktop died? You should also know that the PC shares a router (AT&T, 2Wire) with this laptop.

Pgh · 10-20-2008

Hi janet, welcome to PCHF!

which version of Windows are you using?

snoopy8332 · 10-20-2008

your pc definatly aint "dead" there might be a way to restore files, have you tryed "enable vga mode" ? just a thought. can you get into bios?

elpmek · 10-20-2008

Please advise which eMachine model. Also what disks do you have that were supplied with the PC.

janet_c · 10-22-2008

I'm running XP on an eMachines T4200. I may have the disks somewhere, but, not sure where or which ones. I do know that when I looked for the Windows disk a few months ago so I could install back up wizard, I wasn't able to find it. I'm not sure which screen is 'bios'. I may know what it looks like, just not the right name for it. I haven't tried 'enable VGA'. I don't think its an option on the screen I'm getting (unless I just haven't seen it), and, am not sure how to get to command prompt with these issues (normally I could find it).

Pgh · 10-22-2008

Let me move you to the Windows section

elpmek · 10-22-2008

Sounds like, I'm sure, you need an XP CD boot disk.

In the first instance please check again what disks came with the PC, the one you want will either have an eMachines label or XP Microsoft.

10-20-2008	#1
janet_c Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hartsville, TN Posts: 6 PC Experience: Experienced	PC restarting from DOS HELP! I recently installed Office 2007 (Student, Service Desk Edition) to my middle-aged eMachines (6 years old). Soon after, it slowed down and then began locking up altogether. I was in the process of changing docs from works spreadsheets to Excell so I could uninstall Works, but, still had quite a bit to do. I tried running virus scans (AT&T Internet Sec Suite and House Call) but they would not complete. I installed and ran SpyBot and was able to get the AT & T scan to go a little further, but, it still would not complete. (Was reading that it had been scanning 15 minutes when I knew it had been running two hours. When after it started locking up, I was not able to shut down thru Windows; had to just hold button til it powered down. NOW, when I turn the computer on, it only goes as far as the DOS start screen. I've tried 'last known' and everey form of safe mode, but, the system just restarts. I've tried letting the 'normal Windows start' timer run out, but again-restart. Is there something I can do, or, has my desktop died? You should also know that the PC shares a router (AT&T, 2Wire) with this laptop.

10-20-2008	#2
Pgh Protector of the Cookies Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Watford, England Posts: 1,244 PC Experience: Keen to Learn	Re: PC restarting from DOS Hi janet, welcome to PCHF! which version of Windows are you using? __________________ Doctor: I'm afraid you have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Patient: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

10-20-2008	#3
snoopy8332 Tech Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. but its' not my fault. Posts: 362 PC Experience: will always be learning!	Re: PC restarting from DOS your pc definatly aint "dead" there might be a way to restore files, have you tryed "enable vga mode" ? just a thought. can you get into bios?

10-20-2008	#4
elpmek Tech Support Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 2,723 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: PC restarting from DOS Please advise which eMachine model. Also what disks do you have that were supplied with the PC. __________________ elpmek *PreWork* *PCHF Rules*

10-22-2008	#5
janet_c Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hartsville, TN Posts: 6 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: PC restarting from DOS I'm running XP on an eMachines T4200. I may have the disks somewhere, but, not sure where or which ones. I do know that when I looked for the Windows disk a few months ago so I could install back up wizard, I wasn't able to find it. I'm not sure which screen is 'bios'. I may know what it looks like, just not the right name for it. I haven't tried 'enable VGA'. I don't think its an option on the screen I'm getting (unless I just haven't seen it), and, am not sure how to get to command prompt with these issues (normally I could find it).

10-22-2008	#6
Pgh Protector of the Cookies Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Watford, England Posts: 1,244 PC Experience: Keen to Learn	Re: PC restarting from DOS Let me move you to the Windows section __________________ Doctor: I'm afraid you have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Patient: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

10-22-2008	#7
elpmek Tech Support Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 2,723 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: PC restarting from DOS Sounds like, I'm sure, you need an XP CD boot disk. In the first instance please check again what disks came with the PC, the one you want will either have an eMachines label or XP Microsoft. __________________ elpmek *PreWork* *PCHF Rules*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode