Laptop won't boot properly, stuck in loop with SafeBoot Error

[IanRus15]

I have an HP Compaq 8510w  with Windows XP. that I got from my school in the Fall of '08. I am no longer a student there or I would just take it to them to figure this out.

The most recent changes made to the system before this error were a couple weeks ago when I simply installed routine windows updates. Last night, I was on the internet and the computer froze up and would not shut down by any proper means (task manager, start->shutdown, pressing the button, etc.). When none of those would work, I unplugged it and removed the battery (as I have done when this has happened before). I then restored the battery and attempted to boot up the system. It started booting normal, going first to the HP screen for a few seconds, then asked for my embedded security password which I entered, then goes to a DOS like screen stating that it is "Starting SafeBoot v5.0", after about 2 seconds, an error message pops up that I have never seen before that states:

SafeBoot Error

Error: 0xe0050001

SafeBoot is not installed

The only option there after is to click ok (or hit enter) and it simply repeats that process ending in the error message. So I am now essentially stuck in a loop and cannot bypass that error message. I've looked at a few other support messages and such and this seems to be associated with the Drive Encryption for HP Protect Tools that my school put on the laptop.

I have pretty much no idea what to do at this point. For some reason, the recovery disks that my school gave me are for Windows Vista, not XP, which is what is installed on my computer. I also have data on my laptop that I don't want to lose by recovering the computer. It seems really odd that it would say that SafeBoot is not installed, as I never uninstalled it or changed any settings regarding it or HP Protect Tools.

If there is any way to bypass or fix this issue, I am all ears.

Thank you.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You have a couple of options as I see it.

Did you try tapping the F8 key at the HP welcome screen to enter windows safe mode? Keep tapping it until it goes past the Hp splash screen. If you can get into windows safe mode, launch the system restore utility and see what happens.

If that doesn't work, flip your notebook over and see what operating system it is licenced for. Probably Vista, which is why you got recovery disks for Vista.

The 8510w was probably shipped with a Vista license downgraded to XP.

If you live in the USA/Canada, call HP at this number, 1-800-334-5144, and order a set of quick restore disks for your notebook.  Ask them to send you the XP recovery disk as well, which they probably will do.

You will need to provide the model # and serial #.  Cost will be $10.

Now, once you get your XP recovery disk, you can boot from it, and select the repair option which may fix your issue and allow you to continue on as normal--or at least get you to a place where you can retrieve your files.

If that doesn't work, your last resort is to remove the hard drive. Put it in a SATA to USB notebook hard drive enclosure, plug it into another PC, get your data off, reinstall the HDD into your notebook and do the destructive recovery using the Vista or XP disk.

Something like this is what you need.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182138

Paul