what could cause my OS unable to start?

Question

PC with Windows XP.
For some time, unable to wake up from sleep (gives a long beep).
Recently:
Intermittent auto reset while in Windows and also during bootup.
Intermittently unable to start Windows.
Created an Ubuntu installer CD. Able to load Try Ubuntu, worked fine for some time, but then froze. After reset PC ,now unable to load Ubuntu anymore after many attempts. (It stops in the middle of some messages)
Still intermittently manage to load Windows, but problem as above.
Noticed the following message during bootup: BIOS update data incorrect: CPU ID (some numbers)
Recent hardware changes : CPU (1 year ago), DVD drive (1 month ago)

Answer 1

This is one of many signs that the hard drive is starting to fail.

Answer 2

LOOK did u do any recent hardware or driver upgrades or bios flash? it's not the cmos battery you don't need it to boot.sounds like some sort registery corruption which happens frequently in XP if your not running a good AV and Malware program AND defrag it with just about anything but windows defrag tool.I recommend IOBIT SMART DEFRAG.so with that said and your still having problems here's an easy solution.Go to http://Hirenbootcd.org/download if your having problems with your optical drive download the bootable flashdrive version. set your bios to boot from flash.you wanna boot MINI XP from the menu.it will boot a fully functional xp os from a ram drive. once that's done copy all of your files want to save to another flash drive plugged into a different port.when your done, this disk has over 50 programs to help,chose one of the partition and format programs format the entire drive,when done shut down remove flash drives reboot into the bios set to boot from the optical drive.insert your xp os disk and reboot. sounds long but it will take bout half an hour depending on how long it takes to back up your personal files and programs. if you have an OEM and no OS DISK email me i have one xp pro [e-mail] hope it helps

Answer 3

I think it ain't the hard drive you need a new cmos battery its the big lithium battery on the motherboard