Windows XP Home Edition-Won't boot up

[Guest]

When I turn on the computer it shows the large XP logo on the dark screen
with the balls running across a bar to show its loading. This screen them
goes away to a dark screen, then the blue screen with small XP logo comes up
and stays. It doesn't go any further and I can't do anything. Help......

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

To attempt to get your Windows back to the prior known good configuration:

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.

When presented with bootup choices, select Last Known Good Configuration.

 

[Guest]

I had already done this, but regardless of what I select on that screen, it
then continues to the blue screen with the small XP logo and stops there.
Nothing works, and I am stuck. Jack

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Jack,

Kindly (re)confirm that you tried to Disable automatic restart?

Repeat F8 startup steps, get bootup menu, then select
"Safe Mode with Command Prompt". See if you can get that.


The MS Knowledge Base article noted below, may help in restoring a "prior XP System Restore point",
in the case where you are unable to do this from a Windows session.


The article describes how to start the System Restore tool when you are unable to start your Windows XP-based computer normally or
in Safe mode.
You may be able to do it from a "special command prompt"..."Safe Mode with Command Prompt".


It would seem the requirements are:
1. Your system HD still has restore point(s) from before. (Which also means System Restore is active on your XP.)
2. You have to be able to "selectively" bootup your pc into "Safe mode with command prompt".
3. Follow the directions to use "rstrui.exe" the XP System Restore program.


HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt ( MS Knowledge Base Article 304449)
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449 >

 

[Guest]

I did that. Regardless of which one is select: Disable Automatic Restart,
Safe Mode with Command Prompt, etc., it them goes to the blue screen with
the small XP logo. I will check the article you cited, but so far no matter
what I do, it all comes back to the blue screen with logo. When I selected
it to start with the last known settings that worked, it still does the same
thing. Thanks. I will let you know if any thing else happens. Jack

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem and tried all the stuff that you described below,
with no success. Please drop an e-mail to (e-mail address removed) if you
resolve the problem.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Could be a device trying to load that you have hooked up. Maybe unhook all
devices except the mouse/keyboard/monitor and then try to boot. If it works
then plug a device in at a time and reboot each time until you find the
culprit device.
If it still has issues booting try safe mode to see if it can boot into there.

Safe Mode = tap F8 duing bios screen and keep tapping until Advanced Options
menu comes up . Choose Safe mode from list.

 

[Guest]

New Information today. Tried all the stuff recommended and no luck. Always
came back to the same blue screen. Didn't want to use the restore disk that
came with the computer because it would wipe the entire drive. HOWEVER, I
finally used a reinstallation disk from my Dell laptop since it is a
reinstall rather than a restore. Worked great to the point of bringing up my
login screen, BUT now it requires that I activate the XP with Microsoft.
Since it is now using the Dell provided XP, when I tried to activate through
the automated system it will not let me. I guess since this one has already
been activated on my Dell laptop. It didn't give me any other options. Help.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Use the phone option to activate

 

[Guest]

My Dell PC just started doing the very same thing your laptop is doing today.
Tried all the same suggestions with no luck.
Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

I believe/hope I am in control of the problem now - unfortunately it involves
re-installation which I wnated to avoid.
I did the following:
1. I reinstalled WinXP my Dell ReInstallation CD. In setup for installation
I chose the R for repair.
2. I encountered some 2 error messages during installation one OK, the
other regarding a Printer I answered NO.
3. When installtion is complete I ran a fresh Anti Virus scan (AVG) - found
8 Trojans.
4. Unistalled a program Magic-Aol (don't remember the exact name) -
control panel etc....
5. Go online to update.microsoft.com and update all the security patches and
the SP2.

I recovered all my files, and setup in the process. I am not sure I am
done. It took me 3 reinstallations to get to this point.

 

[Guest]

Ok can someone tell me how to use the Dell ReInstallation CD when not
actually in windows? Since I can't get past the XP Logo screen. Thanks in
advance. Doing this will cause me to lose all my files won't it?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Hello Blackburn,

Since your pc is a suspect for malware, disconnect it from the internet and any local network.
Bring up (reboot) the system but tap & repeat tapping F8 function key & select Safe mode. Use "administrator" as the login account.
First run antivirus & malware checks.
You can run AV utilities in Safe mode (and later repeat in Normal mode). Simply make sure you download tools & updated definitions from a clean pc --- not the suspect machine.

Make very sure your system does not have malware.
See <http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware>

Sysclean would be a good first run for virus check. Just be sure sure to also run other spyware / malware checks.

Once system is found clean, do a repair-install of XP.
Be sure to have your XP CD handy, and even better, if your system is XP with Service Pack 2, then:
1) either have a slipstream copy of XP with SP2
or 2) your XP CD already contains Service Pack 2.

Following is the Repair Install scenario.
Only if you have a "full" XP CD ----
The object of this exercise is to do an in-place upgrade or an in-place installation for purposes of "repair".
It needs to go to the same partition as before , and the same directory as before.

Usually for example XP is on C drive and is on folder/directory \Windows or \WINNT.

Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. You do that from the pc BIOS setup screen. You specify CDROM as the first drive to boot from.

Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive, and then restart your pc.

When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on your
screen, press a key to boot pc from the XP CD.

When you see the following message displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen,
press ENTER:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

At this point an option to press R to enter the Recovery Console is displayed. Do NOT select this option.

On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 function key to agree to it.

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP (in your case, the one you wish to repair) is selected in the box, and then press the R key to repair XP.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

 

[Guest]

Ok How do I configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM Drive? Step by
step would be appreciated.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Take a look at Harry O's website --- he's got the best pictures on this ---and a section "How to Repair Install".
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

 

[Guest]

I am having the same issue where my computer gets as far as the Windows XP
screen when it then tries to reboot. This is all after I tried a system
restore. The real problem I have now, after reading your (Maruice N )
suggestion is I do not have the Windows XP cd. The system I bought was all
pre-loaded. Any suggestions on this scenario?