When I tried to start my Dell desktop w/XP Pro SP3 after putting it on Standby last night, it got this message: Boot Failure: System Halted.I installed a Windows update about 2 days ago, but it started fine yesterday. What do I need to do to fix this? Take it to the Geek Squad? Put in the system restore disk?Thanks.

When I tried to start my Dell desktop w/XP Pro SP3 after putting it on Standby last night, it got this message: Boot Failure: System Halted.I installed a Windows update about 2 days ago, but it started fine yesterday. What do I need to do to fix this? Take it to the Geek Squad? Put in the system restore disk?Thanks.Try to access the Advanced Options menu by pressing F8 on boot-up. Once the menu appears choose last known good configuration.How to boot in safe modeI don't vote for myself I'm not here for the points. If this post helps you, vote. Visit my forum @ http://repairbotsonline.com/

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6031733.htmlThe options open to you depends on what disks you have and whether the disks offer solutions other than destructively reinstalling the operating sysytem.Most new computers today do not come with operating system disks but you can get them when you buy a custom built computer from a small supplier. With laptops and mass produced desktop computers you need to create the recommended disks and store them safely before you start to play. Before trying to repair the boot you need to recover important data files to safeguard against their loss. This can be done by using a second computer and either by placing the disk in an external drive cradle or inserting the disk into a spare drive slot in thesecond computer. Either way you can frequently read and copy files to a new location on the scecond computer or removable storage.If you feel you need help by all means take the computer to a smalL computer repairer but please stay away from the Geek Squad.More help is available here if you want to solve the problem yourself.Hope this helps, Gerry Cornell

After unplugging the CPU and putting it in my car and taking it to the Geek Squad, it started with no problem. The Geek Squad did nothing to it. I think it was the movement and plugging/unplugging that fixed it.When I pushed the button to turn it on, before it got the Boot Failure error, it was making a clicking sound, like the hard drive was having a problem spinning or maybe hitting something as it spun. Anyway, moving the whole box around seems to fix it. It stayed fixed for 2 months and now the same thing is happening again.

On Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:02:59 +0000, Pleezhelp wrote:After unplugging the CPU Undoubtedly you mean the "computer," not the "CPU." "CPU" stands for"Central Processing Unit." In modern personal computers, the CPU is arelatively small electronic chip, an integrated circuit. It sits onthe motherboard, inside the computer's case. It is not the caseitself, nor is it the total computer, which includes the case andeverything within it. I don't say the above to give you a hard time, but to make you areaware of the correct terminology. It's not terribly important here,since I'm almost sure I understand what you meant, but if you useincorrect terms in the future, you will run the distinct risk ofconfusing those trying to help you, and therefore getting incorrectadvice.and putting it in my car and taking it to the Geek Squad, it started with no problem. The Geek Squad did nothing to it. I think it was the movement and plugging/unplugging that fixed it.When I pushed the button to turn it on, before it got the Boot Failure error, it was making a clicking sound, like the hard drive was having a problem spinning or maybe hitting something as it spun. Anyway, moving the whole box around seems to fix it. It stayed fixed for 2 months and now the same thing is happening again.From the info you've provided, I can't tell you what's wrong, but I dohave some advice for you as to what to do next: avoid the Geek Squad(and any big-box store) like the plague. They are among the worstpossible places to use for computer repair or advice.Instead, find your self a small local place that's been recommended byothers in your community (for example, if you have PC users group intown, they can probably give you a good recommendation).Ken Blake (MS MVP)