I let a friend use my PC to play games, but he tried to set up a dual boot with Windows XP alongside my existing Windows 10. He attempted to install XP on a separate drive, but after it started copying files, he tried to reboot and it just booted back to the installation CD. He then checked the BIOS but claimed he couldn't see the Windows XP drive, only a USB HDD option. Now, my computer won't boot at all—there's no hard drive activity and the monitor is just in standby. I'm really worried about what might have happened. What can I do to fix this?
3 Answers
First off, rule of thumb: don’t lend your stuff to someone who doesn't respect it! Now, as for your PC, if the BIOS settings were just changed, it shouldn't have caused a total failure. Tinkering with the CPU or RAM settings could cause issues though. I’d recommend resetting the BIOS. You can do this by powering off the computer, unplugging it, removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes, and then putting it back. That should restore the settings to default. Good luck!
Honestly, it sounds like a mess. If you have no idea what that person did, it could have major implications. First, see if you can salvage any files, but if not, you might need to wipe everything and reinstall an OS. Windows XP is a big no for security reasons—especially in today's world. Depending on your preference, going for Windows 10 LTSC or even Linux might be safer and more reliable. Just a heads up!
Before all that, why on earth was he trying to install Windows XP on a modern machine in 2025? That OS hasn't been safe to use for a while now. I seriously doubt the monitor not getting a signal is just a coincidence—something might have happened to your HDD. Given the situation, if you can't access BIOS or get any signal, you may want to take it to a professional. They can do a full diagnostics for you.
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