I bought this a year or so ago without the Windows XP Home disk. I think I put this laptop away without shutting it down because when I opened the lid it was trying to boot up.

I disconnected the battery to stop the computer. It's a Dell Latitude D600.

For me this computer is for an emergency internet access so I know very little about laptops. I'm treating it just like it was a desk top but seems strange because I don't have a cold boot switch.

I started in safe mode and tried to do a system restore. It shut down but it got stuck trying to boot up the action bar was active.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance:thumbsup:

Boot into BIOS and see if your drives are recognized.
If they are , sometimes the 'system restore' takes quite a while.
I'd try the 'system restore' again and just let it do it's thing -walk away and go on your desktop.
If there not ,your cmos battery may have died but you can still find the drives manually.

BIOS How? I think there wass an obption rather than use safe mode
Understand C mos Battery I should be able to use default.

Add your ideas again I'm slow

Retry the 'system restore' or try 'last known good configuration' option but give it time to go through the motions ,it can take a while.

Does it have the Windows XP product key sticker on it? If so go to thepiratebay.org search for xp home OEM download it burn the CD and reinstall using the new CD. Be ready to reinstall all the drivers. I would get the network driver first and then go to dell's web site and download the rest.

Yes on the product key

Thanks great help :thumbsup:

i threw mine against the wall!!

Last known configuration brought everything back to normal

:hurray: