Old PC won't start

SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre -  
Cesel45 Posted messages 13762 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   -
Hello, I have a desktop PC from 2007 built by a technician that I hadn’t turned on for 5-6 years; it doesn’t reach the homepage (if I remember correctly, it has WINDOWS XP). I can access the choice menu: normal mode, safe mode, etc., but then I just get a fleeting page with the options for F2, F12, and Control P in the top right corner; I’ve tried all the manipulations without success; at one point I end up in the BIOS but it’s in English and I don’t know what to modify to access WINDOWS; I don’t think there’s a password but I’m not sure. I bought a FIREWIRE to install on this PC to be able to copy my video files from a camcorder and I would be very disappointed if I couldn’t do it. I hope to get help from someone. That would be great. Thank you in advance. Have a nice day.

4 réponses

Cesel45 Posted messages 13762 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 845
 
Hello

The BIOS battery on the motherboard may need to be changed.
Advice: XP is no longer supported by Windows (updates) and you might not be able to access the internet afterwards.

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Have a nice day
Cesel45
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SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre 1
 
Good evening, thank you for your reply; indeed, I had a message indicating that the battery was dead, I changed it which allowed me to access the selection program; I can't get any further... I won't need to go on the INTERNET: the purpose is to be able to copy my video tapes in digital format to burn them later. Have a nice evening.
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georges97 Posted messages 14519 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 901
 
Hello,

In addition to the excellent advice from Cesel45 (check if the date displayed at startup or in the BIOS matches today's date), I would add that the installation of new hardware and software may only be possible after updating to the SP3 version of Windows XP. This software was available on the Microsoft website a few years ago, but I don't know the current status.

As for the battery, it is sometimes more accessible on a desktop than on a laptop, but in both cases, you have to open the machine.

Needless to say, you should not download it from an unknown or dubious site. It may not be necessary, but you will only find out by reading the installation sheet for the Firewire card and its communication manager.

Edit: if you have already installed (physically) the Firewire card (which I don't believe based on your post), remove it because an unrecognized peripheral can block the startup.
Best regards.
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SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre 1
 
Good evening, thank you for the clarification; this is a desktop PC; I changed the battery following a message at startup, but when I access the BIOS it shows me the date of 2007; I thought it was the date stored for the first startup; since I can't access WINDOWS, maybe that's normal (?) I haven't installed the FIREWIRE because the manual indicates that I need to install the CD beforehand; I wanted to try to reinstall the recovery disk but I can't find it.... anyway, I'm stuck. I have a WINDOWS CD from an old PC that was broken, but I don't know if I can install it on another PC.
Thank you in any case for your help;
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georges97 Posted messages 14519 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 901
 
Hello,

It's normal that the date shown by the BIOS is not today's date. It needs to be changed manually, which is usually done using the arrow keys or by entering the date using the numeric keypad.

On reboot, it should remain, even if Windows does not start. So that's a prerequisite.

If Windows does not start, it could be a problem with a corrupted boot sector. There are repair tools, but in my opinion, it's better to install XP + SP3.

As for an old Windows disk, it depends on whether it's a generic (retail, originally boxed) version or an OEM version, which can only be installed once and is provided with the PC.
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SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre 1
 
Good evening, indeed I couldn't find an original boxed Windows disk; we have several laptops but I don't think I have a Windows disk either; do you think I could download XP from the internet onto a USB stick and install it on the desktop PC?
Thank you for your help.
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georges97 Posted messages 14519 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 901
 
Good evening,

I can only pass on this link:


https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-29451092-ou-telecharger-l-iso-pour-microsoft-windows-xp-home-edition-grt#answers

However, not all BIOS allow booting from the USB port.
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SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre 1
 
Thank you, I'll try this solution.
Good evening.
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Cesel45 Posted messages 13762 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 845
 
XP SP3 available for download on CCM = https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/systemes-d-exploitation/20759-sp3-windows-xp/

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Have a nice day
Cesel45
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Cesel45 Posted messages 13762 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   2 845
 
For your information: SP3 is an important update for Windows XP.
And not the operating system.
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tomsawyer1311 Posted messages 447 Status Membre 24
 
Hello,
If you have another functional and newer computer, you can digitize your tapes with it. Otherwise, you can install a Linux distribution with active security support on that old computer.
I came across some software, after searching, that could digitize and worked on Windows 8 or higher.
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SYAUB Posted messages 6 Status Membre 1
 
Hello, I bought a DAZZLE firewire that I intended to install on this PC; I hope to get it running again. I have tapes in various formats that I would like to convert into digital files so that I can burn them later and store them on a hard drive or USB stick. I have no USB connections on my old camcorder; I don't know what Linux is; My laptop doesn't allow me to do video capture (image but no sound); it's a puzzle; I got a quote to have it done by photographers but the prices are prohibitive and I have many hours of recording. Thank you again.
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tomsawyer1311 Posted messages 447 Status Membre 24
 
Hello,
Even today, you can upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. But if you have XP, you could try upgrading to 10 using the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft and enter your XP activation key during installation. However, it might not activate and you may need to purchase a license for Windows 10.
Otherwise, you can take the ISO of an LTS (Long Term Support) version of a Linux distribution; if you choose Mint or Ubuntu, there's a lot of documentation available online. I didn't remember the software, but if you type "scan cassette with linux" I found 2-3 software options.
Unlike Microsoft Windows, you are not required to pay for Linux.

In any case, before attempting the installation, remember to read the tutorials for computers running XP; it seems they do not support UEFI mode: the replacement for BIOS.
Regarding the lack of USB connectivity on your camcorder, there should be an adapter available.
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