I have a HP note book serial number CN3170989/MODEL NO XT4316wm. Last week, I dropped it on the floor which was carpeted, and it may have been less than a foot from the floor maybe two.
Using Windows xp home edition. The software is original. I have 2 restore disks, 1 documentation library disk, and 1 OS disk. I put these in and turn on the laptop. They do not work. I see the message press any key to boot from/to cd. The cd rom makes loud grinding sounds as if its working very hard and I see a green light on. Nothing. So, I get a memory buffer overfill error next, and then NLDTR MESSAGE.PRESS CTRL*ALT*DELETE to restart.
The only disk that will READ from the cd rom is one that came with a HEWLET PACKARD DESTOP. It will not install or recover, but it does work and GIVES me a setup screen which is blue with white writing. After it checks for EULA, it says cannot find EULA agreement, and it starts the laptop over, or I get to the part where it will say recovery press R and I do, but it asks for some disks, which of course don't match my laptop, and all I can get is the command prompt. I think that the hard drive may have reformatted because when I press "DIR" I don't see anything except for one file. I am not sure if this is the information you all needed. Sorry if I confused you. Maybe with all my tinkering, I erased the old information, but now what? Thanks for your patience.Sounds to me like the hard drive is damaged. You can try to replace it and re-install the operating system, or take the laptop to a good, qualified repair shop for a diagnosis. I would suggest the latter.

Best of luck!Thanks. I forgot to add this though. My computer was recently updated I think to sp3 or it might be sp2. So what if I order some disks for that from microsoft?My suggestion to take your laptop to a professional is simply based on PROBABILITIES. I'm betting (albeit with your money ) that the amount that you spend on incorrect (UNNECESSARY) repairs + the amount needed for essential repairs will be equal to or greater than the amount that you spend having the laptop repaired by a professional - if it can be repaired.

You are free to disagree, it's your money. Be aware that physical damage to a laptop can be difficult to diagnose with the laptop in hand, let alone over the internet!

If you want to go ahead without guarantees, I would replace the hard drive. It is unclear to me from your description as to the status of the CD drive, but it is likely that it will need replaced, as well. There is no need to purchase anything from Microsoft. I'm a bit confused as to exactly what software you have from HP, but if you do not have the CD's to "recover" the laptop, a call to HP is all that is necessary to order them, plus a charge. You want to order "recovery disks."

Thanks for your help and patience. The disks I was talking about is the OS disk (windows xp), the Documentation library (applications), and 2 Recovery disks. Anyway, I will see what the pros can do from here. My laptop is about 6 years old, but it's paid for, and I need it for assignments. Thanks again! Be sure to take the CD's with you to the repair facility.

I understand your position: 6 yr old laptop maybe worth $35; cost to repair ≈$300; new laptop ≈$800 - $3000.

But, maybe look for used laptop, $100 - $1000; see what the repair ESTIMATE is and compare.

Best of luck