Boot Problem

[jg2005]

Hello

I'm trying to help a friend who has a computer that runs Windows 2000
Server. A couple of days ago it started to hang on booting. It starts
up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes through that
process & then starts to boot up again. It continues doing that in a
loop and never actually boots.

The computer was working fine up to then. It is only used to run one
restaurant POS program, he doesn't want to upgrade it & the purpose
built POS program has no original CD or or backup anywhere. The
computer is not connected to the internet at all either.

Wondering if there is anyone out there that might have a clue as to
why it has started this hanging.

Cheers

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Hello

I'm trying to help a friend who has a computer that runs Windows 2000
Server. A couple of days ago it started to hang on booting. It starts
up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes through that
process & then starts to boot up again. It continues doing that in a
loop and never actually boots.

The computer was working fine up to then. It is only used to run one
restaurant POS program, he doesn't want to upgrade it & the purpose
built POS program has no original CD or or backup anywhere. The
computer is not connected to the internet at all either.

Wondering if there is anyone out there that might have a clue as to
why it has started this hanging.

Cheers

Try booting into Safe Mode, then report the result.

 

[jg2005]

Try booting into Safe Mode, then report the result.

Thanks for the reply. I can't get in via any of the safe mode options
either. When I select any of those options it does the same thing - it
starts up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes
through that process & then starts to boot up again. It continues
doing that in a continuous loop.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Try booting into Safe Mode, then report the result.

Thanks for the reply. I can't get in via any of the safe mode options
either. When I select any of those options it does the same thing - it
starts up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes
through that process & then starts to boot up again. It continues
doing that in a continuous loop.
========
I recall a similar post some months ago. The poster said much the same
thing: It boots up, logs on, then reboots. What he meant, however, was: It
boots up, logs on, logs off, logs on, logs off. Not quite the same thing.

If your friend's machine does indeed reboot then he needs to do at least a
repair installation. If he has no media then he's got to swallow the bitter
pill and rebuild the server after obtaining new CDs. To avoid similar
mishaps in future I recommend three strategies:
1. Keep careful records of all product key numbers.
2. Store all media in a safe place.
3. Create an image of the installation, using one of the many disk imaging
products, then keep the image in a safe place.

Item 3 takes a little bit of time but far less than rebuilding the machine.

 

[Buffalo]

Hello

I'm trying to help a friend who has a computer that runs Windows 2000
Server. A couple of days ago it started to hang on booting. It starts
up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes through that
process & then starts to boot up again. It continues doing that in a
loop and never actually boots.

The computer was working fine up to then. It is only used to run one
restaurant POS program, he doesn't want to upgrade it & the purpose
built POS program has no original CD or or backup anywhere. The
computer is not connected to the internet at all either.

Wondering if there is anyone out there that might have a clue as to
why it has started this hanging.

Cheers

If you can get into it, remove and reseat the ram. It could be that the
contacts are slightly corroded and removing and reseating it (them) many
just create a better contact. It may not help, but it doesn't cost anything,
except a little bit of your time.
Buffalo
PS: While your in there, disconnect and reconnect all connectors that you
can find and do a removal and reseating of all 'cards'.
Be SURE the unit does NOT have any power to it if you do the above.

 

[jg2005]

If you can get into it, remove and reseat the ram. It could be that the
contacts are slightly corroded and removing and reseating it (them) many
just create a better contact. It may not help, but it doesn't cost anything,
except a little bit of your time.
Buffalo
PS: While your in there, disconnect and reconnect all connectors that you
can find and do a removal and reseating of all 'cards'.
Be SURE the unit does NOT have any power to it if you do the above.

Thanks, I have just finished doing the things you suggested but
unfortunately the same thing still happens. Cheers

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks, I have just finished doing the things you suggested but
unfortunately the same thing still happens. Cheers

The odds weren't good, but at least it was worth checking out.
Buffalo
PS: When you find the problem, please post back with the solution.
Cheers!!

 

[jg2005]

Thanks for the reply. I can't get in via any of the safe mode options
either. When I select any of those options it does the same thing - it
starts up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes
through that process & then starts to boot up again. It continues
doing that in a continuous loop.
========
I recall a similar post some months ago. The poster said much the same
thing: It boots up, logs on, then reboots. What he meant, however, was: It
boots up, logs on, logs off, logs on, logs off. Not quite the same thing.

If your friend's machine does indeed reboot then he needs to do at least a
repair installation. If he has no media then he's got to swallow the bitter
pill and rebuild the server after obtaining new CDs. To avoid similar
mishaps in future I recommend three strategies:
1. Keep careful records of all product key numbers.
2. Store all media in a safe place.
3. Create an image of the installation, using one of the many disk imaging
products, then keep the image in a safe place.

Item 3 takes a little bit of time but far less than rebuilding the machine.

Thanks again. Looks likely I'll need to give him the bad news & I'll
certainly tell him the three steps to follow. Seems like he thought
the computer would go forever & never breakdown & never need things
like backing up or upgrading.

 

[jg2005]

Thanks for the reply. I can't get in via any of the safe mode options
either. When I select any of those options it does the same thing - it
starts up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes
through that process & then starts to boot up again. It continues
doing that in a continuous loop.
========
I recall a similar post some months ago. The poster said much the same
thing: It boots up, logs on, then reboots. What he meant, however, was: It
boots up, logs on, logs off, logs on, logs off. Not quite the same thing.

If your friend's machine does indeed reboot then he needs to do at least a
repair installation. If he has no media then he's got to swallow the bitter
pill and rebuild the server after obtaining new CDs. To avoid similar
mishaps in future I recommend three strategies:
1. Keep careful records of all product key numbers.
2. Store all media in a safe place.
3. Create an image of the installation, using one of the many disk imaging
products, then keep the image in a safe place.

Item 3 takes a little bit of time but far less than rebuilding the machine.

Just a further query. I'm not familar with Windows 2000 server, I have
an original Windows 2000 CD. Is that any good re a repair
installation ? Thanks

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Thanks for the reply. I can't get in via any of the safe mode options
either. When I select any of those options it does the same thing - it
starts up, gets to the "Starting Windows" progress bar, it goes
through that process & then starts to boot up again. It continues
doing that in a continuous loop.
========
I recall a similar post some months ago. The poster said much the same
thing: It boots up, logs on, then reboots. What he meant, however, was: It
boots up, logs on, logs off, logs on, logs off. Not quite the same thing.

If your friend's machine does indeed reboot then he needs to do at least a
repair installation. If he has no media then he's got to swallow the
bitter
pill and rebuild the server after obtaining new CDs. To avoid similar
mishaps in future I recommend three strategies:
1. Keep careful records of all product key numbers.
2. Store all media in a safe place.
3. Create an image of the installation, using one of the many disk imaging
products, then keep the image in a safe place.

Item 3 takes a little bit of time but far less than rebuilding the
machine.

Just a further query. I'm not familar with Windows 2000 server, I have
an original Windows 2000 CD. Is that any good re a repair
installation ? Thanks

==========

No, he will need the real thing, i.e. a Win2000 Server CD.

 

[jg2005]

The odds weren't good, but at least it was worth checking out.
Buffalo
PS: When you find the problem, please post back with the solution.
Cheers!!

Just letting you know the outcome. my friend ended up buying a new
(second hand) computer. Fortunately the database for the main program
he needs to use transferred OK to the new machine. Thanks again for
the replies.

 

[Buffalo]

jg2005 wrote:
[snip]

(second hand) computer. Fortunately the database for the main program
he needs to use transferred OK to the new machine. Thanks again for
the replies.

Thanks for posting back.
Buffalo