<p>So on my other computer, i think it's a dell 4400 w/ windows XP, I hadn't used it for like 4 months. When i turn it on to check it before we move it into the basement i get this error at start up. The Dell screen pops up, then after like 2 minutes i get the message "Boot failure: System halted". and then it just sits there.</p>
<p>I tried reinstalling XP, i get to the screen where it asks me what kind of install i want to do "press enter, repair, quit". But when i press enter or repair it immediately sends me to this screen that says it can't find any of my hardware drives, which is weird because it could find the disk drive.</p>
<p>I have no idea what to do, does this mean my computers dead? I could really use some tech guys help, and i really don't wanna call dell.</p>
<p>Let’s summarize:</p>
<p>You have a Dell 4400 desktop computer (Pentium 4 with a 20 or 40 gig hard drive) that hasn’t been used in four months. </p>
<p>On start up you get a boot failure message. </p>
<p>You attempted to re-install XP but your Operating disc failed to find any of your hardware drivers. (Your disc is self booting…that’s why it loaded).</p>
<p>Generally, a “boot failure” message indicates a hard drive problem. Your motherboard attempts to read certain startup files from off your hard drive. If the files can’t be found or the drive fails, you get a boot failure message.</p>
<p>Some possible solutions:</p>
<p>• A long shot: gently tap the side of your hard drive with a screwdriver handle to “loosen” the head mechanism. Not likely to solve your problem, but a gentle tap or two won’t hurt anything.</p>
<p>• If you have another desktop computer, you can remove your hard drive and plug it into another similar computer to see if it boots up. That’s to say, if you have a single hard drive computer, you should plug your questionable drive into another single hard drive machine (to avoid having to change your hard drive jumper settings). </p>
<p>• If the hard drive fails to start up in another computer, you drive is dead and you’ll need to replace it. </p>
<p>• Motherboards have a silver oxide battery that keeps a small electrical charge that maintains the system clock and settings when the computer is off. You’ll need to find that battery and see if it can be easily removed. Some batteries are soldered in and may require some effort to remove. If you have a voltmeter to check the voltage, be sure to unplug your computer before checking. If the battery is weak or dead, you’ll have to replace it. With luck, your computer should work when you replace your battery.</p>
<p>if you have a floppy disk in your floppy drive, take it out.</p>
<p>Another way to tell if it is the hard drive:
Boot a live distribution of linux from a CD/DVD (knoppix, slax, even ubuntu). This won't use the hard drive at all, but will run directly off the CD. If it works fine (without using the hard drive) then it is probably the hard drive.</p>