Computer won't boot up, restore not working.

[mwyatt]

My 3 year old daughter was using paint brush on my computer, when she was done the computer shut down. The next time it started up it went to the screen where I decide how to start up, ie safe mode or last settings that worked. I choose the last settings that worked and I'm able to use my computer. But when I try to restore to an earlier date it says that no changes where made. How can I find what isn't working? So I can fix it?

[randem]

What do you mean "Restore to an Earlier Date?". You restored to the last working setting.

[thegreatone]

What do you mean "Restore to an Earlier Date?". You restored to the last working setting.

Firstly he means the screen before booting "last known good configuration" and secondly he means by using System Restore available in Windiws XP i do believe.

[randem]

How can I find what isn't working? So I can fix it?

What do you mean? How do you know what is working?

[dark_shadow]

he means that when he tries to use system restore it dosent restore to the date it says .. try making sure the system restore is enabled in the sevices it wont help now but it may help in the future

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Why don't you just try and boot it up normally?
It could have been a fluke that the computer just decided to restart. ie a driver decided to do something its not supposed to.

[penagate]

I'm confused, why do you need to restore at all? It's Windows, if it's working, leave it, otherwise it might not...

[mwyatt]

The problem is that the computer will not startup, everytime it does I have to select "Last known good configuration" then the computer will start up, when I shut down it says saving settings, but the next time I start up it says it again. My system restore is enabled but doesn't fix the problem. The computer oporates fine after I get it going but it's a pain in the butt to have to catch that screen everytime.

[sbasak]

If all else fails, try booting up from CD using Linux CD. Then add a USB disk in your USB port. At least you can then retrieve your data.

Then do a reformat or re-install windows.