Laptop won't start

[Guest]

Hello, I have a friend that when she turns on her laptop running Windows XP
Home Edition, she gets an error message "lsass.exe application error" The
laptop then will frezze up on the windows start up screen (it dosen't try to
reboot) I aslo tried to start it in safe mode, but it does the same thing.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Don

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

This system is rebooting because it /has/ encountered an error condition. The default setting is 'reboot on error'.
Plus, you need to actually see the actual stop error.

When the pc is booting up (after the BIOS has done its POST test and
before Windows starts loading),
Tap F8 Function key to get bootup options. Tap & keep repeat tapping F8 !

You will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option .
Select that and give it a try. This option is available if you have XP service pack 2.

Following this, reboot system again & re-do the F8 tapping, and select Safe mode. See if you can safely login there.
If so, run MSCONFIG

In there, review your startup programs in the Startup Tab.

If utterly unable to get into Safe mode, repeat above step & select "Last Known Good Configuration".

Once restart on failure is disabled, you may get a STOP error with
text --- at the next Windows startup.
Write it all down, and then start searching for the final solution.

See Aumha.org page on STOP MESSAGES
http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

btw, is the laptop used in a corporate network environment? or is this home use only?