Black screen after Ws logo screen

[Guest]

My OS is "XP Pro"

I used the "Registry Optimzer" that is associated with "ERUNT." I do not use
it but infrequently, and this was the first time on the affected computer.
There was no 'optimizing' of the "hives" and eventually the program stopped
mid-stream. I found that the 'arrow' was locked, too. Therefore, I shut down
using the power switch.

When I powered up, there was a black screen with white text that started by
saying something had gone wrong and I should choose from the menu. I had
heard of "Last good configuration" and activated it. The Ws' logo screen
appeared and the running "dashes" completed their running as usual. Then,
when the screen should come back momentarily with the arrow and then the
"Welcome" screen, it is just a black screen, period.

Using "Safe Mode" doesn't help either.

I sure will appreciate your help in recovering the use of my #1 computer!

I am an advanced "senior" who is enjoying, up until now, becoming computer
literate.

{redoak}

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

My OS is "XP Pro"

I used the "Registry Optimzer" that is associated with "ERUNT." I do not
use
it but infrequently, and this was the first time on the affected computer.
There was no 'optimizing' of the "hives" and eventually the program
stopped
mid-stream. I found that the 'arrow' was locked, too. Therefore, I shut
down
using the power switch.

When I powered up, there was a black screen with white text that started
by
saying something had gone wrong and I should choose from the menu. I had
heard of "Last good configuration" and activated it. The Ws' logo screen
appeared and the running "dashes" completed their running as usual. Then,
when the screen should come back momentarily with the arrow and then the
"Welcome" screen, it is just a black screen, period.

Using "Safe Mode" doesn't help either.

I sure will appreciate your help in recovering the use of my #1 computer!

I am an advanced "senior" who is enjoying, up until now, becoming computer
literate.

{redoak}

Recently there was a fierce discussion in this forum about the benefits
and risks of using registry cleaners/optimizers. About half of the
respondents swore that they were the best thing since sliced bread
whereas the other half pointed out the risks and that none of the
supporters was able to offer a test procedure that could be duplicated
to substantiate the benefits. It appears to be a matter of faith:
Either you believe in registry cleaners/optimisers and don't demand
proof, or you stay well clear of them.

I strongly suspect that your registry got corrupted by the Erunt
optimizer. If so then your only chance of saving your installation
would be to restore it from a backup. Do you have a registry
backup? Where is it located?

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I used the "Registry Optimzer" that is associated with "ERUNT." I do not use
it but infrequently, and this was the first time on the affected computer.
There was no 'optimizing' of the "hives" and eventually the program stopped
mid-stream. I found that the 'arrow' was locked, too. Therefore, I shut down
using the power switch.

Well, that's the maximum credible accident (worst case scenario).

I sure will appreciate your help in recovering the use of my #1 computer!

See if this article and/or the listed follow-up articles help:
"How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

 

[Ron Badour]

I have been watching reg cleaners do this since MS offered RegClean for free
ten years ago. In fact, until I learned better, I used RegClean and then
wondered why my PC required so many system reinstallations. The only time I
recommend using one is when everything else known to man has been tried and
failed and the user has nothing to lose by doing so. I agree with your
assessment--the registry is hosed. And, since the chances of a registry
back up existing are probably pretty slim, it looks like a reinstall may be
in the offing.

As a final note, MS finally gave up on RegClean (apparently because it was
destructive and so many people including the MVPs bad mouthed it) and
quietly removed it from its download site years ago. Too bad other
companies don't do the same. I guess that identifies which camp I am in on
this issue

 

[Guest]

Thank you both for responding.
1- Yes I have a Registry backup of recent vintage via "ERUNT" There should
also be Restore Points in System Restore.

2-It will take me a while to digest the instructions at the M$ KB article. I
like the idea of taking the automated approach.

I will be back tomorrow. Please keep me "bookmarked" as you go on to help
others.

I am very grateful, {redoak}

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Note that the KB article mentioned by Detlev will restore the
registry to the date shown in the "Repair" folder. This could
be a recent date or it could be two years back. Whatever it is,
you will restore Windows to that date.

System Restore won't do you much good unless you can launch
Windows. The backed up registry may be of some help - it
depends on where it currently is and if it is in its native format
or in a proprietary ERunt format.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Thank you both for responding.
1- Yes I have a Registry backup of recent vintage via "ERUNT" There should
also be Restore Points in System Restore.

I second Pegasus' reply. If you manage to boot Windows by following the
posted article, run the System Restore tool next.

 

[Guest]

I second Pegasus' reply. If you manage to boot Windows by following the
posted article, run the System Restore tool next.

I can not boot to any CD, including the retail Ws XP Pro installation CD
which I bought directly from Microsoft. When I went into BIOS to make sure
that the CD ROM had priority in the boot order, I noticed that there were
parenthesis [ ] around all three options. There was an explanation that any
item enclosed in parens was disabled. All three options were! I went ahead
and gave the CD ROM priority; however, upon subsequent checking the parens
still appear and there is no clear indication that the CD ROM is #1. In fact
it remains the last option in the list of three.

Is there any hope?

Many thanks, {redoak}

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I can not boot to any CD, including the retail Ws XP Pro installation CD
which I bought directly from Microsoft. When I went into BIOS to make sure
that the CD ROM had priority in the boot order, I noticed that there were
parenthesis [ ] around all three options. There was an explanation that any
item enclosed in parens was disabled. All three options were! I went ahead
and gave the CD ROM priority; however, upon subsequent checking the parens
still appear and there is no clear indication that the CD ROM is #1. In fact
it remains the last option in the list of three.

Well, that problem has nothing to do with WinXP and the damaged registry.
Different BIOS versions have different setup options and these options
behave different. Depending on the BIOS, the boot order option may or
may not work according to this example (Phoenix/Award BIOS):
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/p1.htm#Changing_the_boot_sequence_in_CMOS

Good luck.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I second Pegasus' reply. If you manage to boot Windows by following the
posted article, run the System Restore tool next.

I can not boot to any CD, including the retail Ws XP Pro installation CD
which I bought directly from Microsoft. When I went into BIOS to make sure
that the CD ROM had priority in the boot order, I noticed that there were
parenthesis [ ] around all three options. There was an explanation that
any
item enclosed in parens was disabled. All three options were! I went ahead
and gave the CD ROM priority; however, upon subsequent checking the parens
still appear and there is no clear indication that the CD ROM is #1. In
fact
it remains the last option in the list of three.

Is there any hope?

Many thanks, {redoak}

If you cannot get your machine to boot off the CD then you can
remove its hard disk and connect it to your friend's PC, provided
that PC will boot off the CD. Make sure to disconnect his own
disk first! You can then do whatever registry manipulation you
wanted to do.

Your next task must be to resolve your boot order problem.
Unless you do, you won't be able to reload Windows. Take
the machine to a computer repair shop if unsuccessful.
I strongly suspect that you are overlooking something very simple.