Hp Pavilion a1620n will not boot

[Joeyrapp]

My HP Pavilion a1620n was not in a good state when last used in an attempt by Microsoft to install Windows 10. Then after a considerable length of time, I tried to logon. My first attempt brought up the screen saver; guess I have been away from XP for awhile so I hit the power button. Then, I hit the power button again and a message stating the the config file was corrupt or missing. After many unsuccessful attempts, my PC is asking for a start cd to boot up the system. What/how should I proceed from here; can HP help. I am the original owner; I do not have a start cd. In 2011, my disk drive was replaced and Office Depot installed Windows XP Professional. I do have a backup on an external Maxell drive. 

Thanks in advance for your assistance,

Joe

[WAWood]

@Joeyrapp 

OK, so by your comments, it looks like the drive is going on 9 years old -- and getting 5 years out of a drive is doing well.

This issue is often due to a failing drive. So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

To check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.

[Joeyrapp]

Thanks for your Support !

Followed the instructions:

1) While pressing the ESC button, a script showed "Loading Boot Memory" .

    Continuing tp press the Esc button, the Boot Menu appeared showing

   >CD-ROM Group

      - 3RD Master: HL-DT-STDVDRRW GSA-H20L

2) I did not see F2, only options to select what you wanted to use for Boot and/or F4 to exit.

     Upon exit, or pressing enter for the boot, I received the following message:

     " Disk Boot Failure, insert system disk and press enter"

* Notes: When pressing F1 for Setup during the load process, I can see the Installed memory:

   2048 MB/PC2-4200 

  4 memory banks of 512MB/DDR2 SDRAM

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Joeyrapp 

Sorry, but that is all the information I have about booting HP PCs and I have nothing that goes back to XP-era PCs.

[Joeyrapp]

Thank You so much for your time and willingness to help me.

Looks like I may need a new disk drive; can you advise briefly where I can get/should look for the start cd that I need?

Sincerely,

Joe