Toshiba A45-S250 laptop keeps trying to load XP but keeps rebooting. I would like to use my recovery disk but I don't know how to get the laptop to recognize or boot from the disk. Safe Mode won't load either.

Cordoba, Try holding the Zero button down and press the power button once,continue/ still hold Zero button till computer starts.
Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
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How to Factory reset almost ANY Toshiba laptop
Toshiba Satellite A45 S250 Manual
FAQ How do reset my computer back to factory default state System Recovery...

You can find the manual for Toshiba Satellite A45 on the link mentioned below:
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/manuals/userguides/su587690/satellite_a40_ug_20031113.pdf

GuruAid.com

Toshiba Support > Satellite A45-S250 Notebook PC > Atheros 802.11 a/b/g WiFi driver with Cisco WPA support for Windows XP and 2000,

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=SB&os=&category=&moid=555703&rpn=PSA40U&modelFilter=A45-S250&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

HOWEVER, it requires the Atheros Client Utility v2.4.2.18, to be installed. If it isn't installed on the laptop, this utility needs to be installed first. Then the Driver above.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=SB&os=&category=&moid=555703&rpn=PSA40U&modelFilter=A45-S250&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

If you need guidance in downloading, or installing please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Unplug the power cord, take out the battery and hold the power button down for 10-15 seconds. This should take your computer out of the reboot loop that it is stuck in. If it doesn't, try using an external CD drive from Wal-Mart or Radio Shack, your computer should register it and you can load the windows CD from there.

Have you adjusted screen brightness control as I have seen lots of Laptops with the screen brightness control "bumped" to min.!!!

If you had run recovery disk for several times and still have the same problem then you must go to other solution. Reprogram your computer operating system, this is last thing you have to do. You need your operating system installer. Setup a fresh copy of it. Don't forget also the computer support cd which contain all the drivers needed in installing an operating system. Hope this could help..Please don't forget to rate me..Thanks..:-)

check the cd you are using for scratches, looks like a readom the cd error to me.
to solve:
copy cd using freeware program: imageburn,make an image of disk, burn it onto cd-r(your save-copy, legal)
try installing from copied version could work

else:
copy whole installation cd into sepearate folder and run installation from harddisk.

Did the drive fail to boot initially and thats why you did a recovery unfortunately the hard drive has either failed and must have a damaged sector,or the recovery partition on the drive is stopping the format, which will more than likely be the problem.

The recovery disc you have won't be a full windows copy only a restore disc for your notebook, and it will look for a backup folder residing on another partition on your drive.

The only way to get a full format is to use a freinds copy of windows to format it and then install windows using your product key code on the underside of your notebook, unless you buy a copy in which case use the code provided

The systems disc is for the drivers and utilities, and, yes, there should have been two discs with the machine. The A45 is new enough that it should have come with an XP disc, not 98. I believe there was a mix up and you have the wrong disc. If you can get the operating system to load with the recovery disc you have, then you can get the drivers at the link below. Some two disc sets will not load an operational system unless you have both discs. Since you were running XP before, I don't think you're going to be happy with 98. I'm going to suggest that you purchase an XP disc, or contact Toshiba, and let them know that the wrong disc came with the machine, they might send you the right disc. If you do have to purchase an XP disc, simply load the system, then go to the link bellow and download the drivers. If you need any further assistance, feel free to ask.

First I would try blowing the fans out with canned air while the system is powered off.

Does Windows freeze during any actions in particular, or just random times? Have you tried restoring Windows from the Recovery CD? If not, I would definitely recommend it, but make sure you backup your data first.