the memory could not be read

[BeerMonster]

Hi, I am using Windows XP and until last night it was working fine. Now when I try to open any programmes, this message "The instruction at bla bla bla... the memory could not be read". I tried system restore but this message come up too and I cant do that. when I tried to open excel or word it says "the operating system is not presently configured to run this application" I cant go online either as internet explorer won't respond at all. I tried checking and resetting the rams on motherboard but it didn't help. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Turn the system off in the usual way.

Switch on and constantly tap F8 about once per second.

When you get the Startup Options ......select "Last KNown Good Configuration"

 

If this doesn't work for you .....

Do you have the XP installation disk ? ( not recovery disks )

[BeerMonster]

Hi KenB, thanks for your reply, unfortunately it doesn't work... I will have to look for the disc and I seem to remember I got a disc from Dell just don't know which one. if I reinstall windows will I lose all files in the computer? thanks again

[KenB]

if I reinstall windows will I lose all files in the computer?

If the disk is a full installation disk then with XP it is possible to do a "Repair Install" and keep all files and data intact.

 

If it is a recovery disk then this will revert the system to what it was when first bought and all data will be lost.

Obviously you don't want to go down this route if at all avoidable.

 

Let us know which disk it is.

[danzil]

can you boot into safe mode, then try a system restore to a time before this happened.

you may want to run Memtest, and it may also be beneficial to reset your bios to factory in case you have some hardware referencing Ram at the same I/O.

 

regards