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If you have ever experienced the famous error message "windows cannot start because" There is not much of a worse feeling. You immediately go into panic mode and start to think about the files you have lost. Do not despair! All is not lost.

There are different types and different definitions of windows crashes. These are typically boot or startup problems. "Boot" in this context refers to hard drive partition or physical mechanism, and "startup" being software, or file related. A crash is typically experienced from a working windows session. For example, when you are in the middle of something it crashes. A boot or startup error is when the computer cannot load windows and presents an error message. Either by way of a black screen which is a configuration or startup error; and a blue screen, which is a stop or sometimes called an exception error, or a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).

The most important thing to remember in a windows crash is DO NOT FORMAT the hard drive. You may attempt to repair it using various 3rd party utilities or even with the Windows repair console. Using the recovery console is a delicate process and may result in losing your my documents folder. That is why you should avoid any repair attempts or recovery attempts at this point. Follow this list to determine your general course of action;

If Windows XP will not boot (configuration, boot, startup, exception or BSOD) error;

If the windows XP error message relates to a missing file example; "Windows could not start because cannot locate c:\windows\system32\" etc

- Run the Recovery console

- Run a Chkdsk

- Use a 3rd party hard drive diagnostic and repair utility

- 3rd party recovery products (Symantec, Norton, Acronis, Diskeeper etc.)

If the error message states Windows cannot locate ntldr;

- You may have success with a copy of ntldr.exe from another similar system (same version of Windows XP including the service pack version) to a floppy, cdr, or a USB memory stick. You will need to boot into Windows XP recovery more however to access a command prompt to execute the file copy.

- Use a Windows XP boot cd, or floppy set (www.bootdisk.com) to boot into a command prompt

- Windows PE (Production Environment) CD. This is a version of windows that runs entirely off a CD or a DVD. Your computer must have the BIOS set to boot from the CD or DVD drive however (access the bios by pressing one of the following keys at power on DEL, F1, F2, F10, F12) each manufacturer is different and may have a different BIOS key)

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