XP Pro and comp won't startup

DirtyJester

DirtyJester

DirtyJester

Caporegime
Joined
17 Oct 2006
Posts
25,703
Hi

Ok strange one this (for me anyways) ... My little girls computer wont startup... gets as far as the Windows XP Pro flash screen and appears to load then goes to the black screen giving startup options of starting in safe mode etc and also states that new software or hardware may not have been installed correctly and thus resulted in windows not being able to start. If I go into safe mode and startup then select system restore and a previous safe date (though I dont what is as nothing was installed hardware or software) the computer powers down but doesnt restart again ... just returns to orginal black error screen as mentioned before ... once I again select safe mode I then get the message on bootup that system restore has gone to the selected date ... but nothing starts upon fresh reboot. Anyone got any ideas? The only thing I know was done was a camera attached to download photos BUT this has been done on numerious occasions without problem. Thanks
We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)

Start Windows Normally

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
Seconds until Windows starts: 30

The first time I came across this message, the seconds counted down, I tried Start Windows Normally, and it looked as if windows was booting up for a second or two (the black and white progress indicator bar came up), then a blue screen flashed up really quickly (I think it may have been the scandisk message). Then the computer rebooted to the above message again. This time, the seconds did not count down, it remained on 30. I am able to arrow up and down.

I tried Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt and Last Known Configuration but windows reboots each time.
 
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Ok tried the safe boot option again and did Start / Run / cmd then typed chkdsk/f and selected yes for run on next reboot .... but the computer just sits at the windows flash screen on rebooting until I reboot again and get the black screen with the above options once more... just a circle with no end. Anyone any ideas ? Thanks
 
If you have your windows cd at hand then it looks liek you will have to repair windows, via the repair install method.


make your cd drive first boot in bios {if not already }

then boot with it as if your installing windows.

when you get to the first screen press enter, then f8, then press 'r' to repair.

windows will then go through the install process as if its a fresh copy, but preserve all your files and settings, you need your cd key at hand as it will ask you for it.


dog
 
Thanks m8 I'll try that later when I get home off nightshift ... guess thats going to be another phone call to Microsoft as I have to do this eveytime now to get a serial key as it says Ive installed it so many times now :( just as well its a full version. I'll let you know how I get on thanks again !
 
Ok got to the repair option and selected it ... but as it starts to load it comes up with the message No harddisk detected check that power has been connected etc etc ... will I need to reinstall the sata drivers again to run repair? Thanks
 
OK

Hit f6 on next restart and install sata driver and got to repair section... here it asks me ' which windows installation would you like to log onto?

I typed the number 1 then it asked me for Admin password ... it doesnt have one so I just hit enter .... now I have on screen

:\windows>

What do I type now ????
 
you have selected windows recovery console , which is the first screen that offers you a repair option.

you want to move past that at the point it offers you it, and press enter .

then f8 , then 'r'



dog
 
Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.
When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.

To setup Windows XP now and Repair Install , press ENTER. do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you Do Not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".
Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.

Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair.

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.
Click to expand...


here you go, this was copied from a website.



dog
 
Thanks again matey

I followed this to the letter BUT whenever I get to accept user agreement I hit accept it and it lists the partition windows is installed on I hit 'r' but nothing happens it says I have to hit L to delete the windows folder and I may lose all data within it including my documents folder or I have another option of creating a new folder for installing too or hit f3 to exit ? No R option anywhere ......
 
it sounds like you boot cfg is corrupt, and cannot perform the repair.


ok, now, you can do this.


1.Boot with XP CD

2. Press R to load the Recovery Console

3. Type bootcfg.

4. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the XP OS
install.

5. Try the repair install.

failing that , your only choice now is to buy another hdd and perform a fresh install on that, and your other drive with all your data, will act as a second hdd.


dog
 
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Tried there again

Did as you said and got to recovery console at the prompt I typed bootcfg
then I was given a list of commands:

/scan
/add
/rebuild
/default
/list
/disableredirect
/redirect

What do I do now? Or is it buy a new H/drive time :(
 
Yeah I did that but then it asks for more information .... have it reinstalling /repairing now though I got a bad feeling its gonna wipe all her pictures :( they were saved in my pictures in my documents
 
you have it reinstalling?


oh, you may be doing a fresh install . i cant guarantee what your doing may save your data.

failing the above advice, i would have got a second hdd.


fingers crossed for whatever you have done , i hope your daughters pics are not gone . :(
 
DirtyJester said:
Yeah I did that but then it asks for more information .... have it reinstalling /repairing now though I got a bad feeling its gonna wipe all her pictures :( they were saved in my pictures in my documents
Click to expand...


if it really is doing a repair install, then everything will be preserved.
 
LOOKS GOOD ! :D

On bootup her name appears along with mine at logon and pictures are all there .... funny thing I have to reload G/card drivers again :confused: All programs /software appears to be still here and fav listings in explorer so I think Ive gotten away with it. I will take your advice and purchase a second harddrive (external usb type) so all the pictures can be stored (backed up) safely. Thank you once again for all your time and efforts and advice Cheers!
 
OK after reinstalling the via 4in1 drivers and the Nvidia (its a 6800 GT card) at the reboot prompt I got a blue screen of death and on every reboot. Must be a G card (drivers conflict) .... Im off to bed but ill get another look tomorrow and let you know. Thanks
 
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