Cannot log on to computer

[Guest]

I use WinXP Pro and defragged my drive today and now cannot log on. I get a
page showing options to open in safe mode, and a second timer that takes you
to pages that give the impression it is to open. But before the signon window
it circles back to the page showing options to open in safe mode.
Can defragging make a major error like this. I did disconnect the system
restore utility and I think I forgot to enable it prior to rebooting after
the defrag. Could this have in anyway caused the problem I am having of not
being able to log on to my PC?
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I was reading my paragraph and thought I should identify the term 'second
timer'. It is a 30-second timer and when it gets to zero it starts opening
pages and then ends up on the original page, and the timer counts down to
zero again. I hope that makes it clear.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I was reading my paragraph and thought I should identify the term 'second
timer'. It is a 30-second timer and when it gets to zero it starts opening
pages and then ends up on the original page, and the timer counts down to
zero again. I hope that makes it clear.

I don't defrag my disks. The benefits are marginal and can usually
be measured with a stop watch only but there is a finite risk of
things going wrong.

I recommend you try "Last known good configuration". If this
does not work then a repair process might: Boot your machine
with your WinXP CD and select Repair when prompted.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help. I thnk I need professional repair and hopefully I can
get back what I have. I have never read to not defrag on a WINXP system and
this list is telling me something different. I learned another lesson.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Please note that most people firmly believe in defragging
their disk regularly. It appeals to their sense of neatness
to have a disk where most files are stored in nice contiguous
blocks. Few ever bother to find out if defragging noticeably
improves performance. Since defragging problems are rare,
they are probably right. On the other hand I subscribe to
the notion "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Defragging is a
highly intrusive operation, much like open heart surgery,
so why run the risk?

 

[Alias]

I use WinXP Pro and defragged my drive today and now cannot log on. I get a
page showing options to open in safe mode, and a second timer that takes you
to pages that give the impression it is to open. But before the signon window
it circles back to the page showing options to open in safe mode.
Can defragging make a major error like this. I did disconnect the system
restore utility and I think I forgot to enable it prior to rebooting after
the defrag. Could this have in anyway caused the problem I am having of not
being able to log on to my PC?
Thanks.

Did you disable your AV auto scan before defragging?

Alias

 

[Alias]

Please note that most people firmly believe in defragging
their disk regularly. It appeals to their sense of neatness
to have a disk where most files are stored in nice contiguous
blocks. Few ever bother to find out if defragging noticeably
improves performance. Since defragging problems are rare,
they are probably right. On the other hand I subscribe to
the notion "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Defragging is a
highly intrusive operation, much like open heart surgery,
so why run the risk?

Give me a break! Install XP, SP2 and office and see if you don't need to
defrag. Measure the performance and boot time before defragging and
after once you've installed those three programs.

I suppose you think that XP included a defrag utility for entertainment
purposes like Solitaire?

Alias

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Give me a break! Install XP, SP2 and office and see if you don't need to

defrag. Measure the performance and boot time before defragging and
after once you've installed those three programs.

I suppose you think that XP included a defrag utility for entertainment
purposes like Solitaire?

Alias

If I add a certain compound to my car's engine oil to
reduce petrol consumption by 20% then I would have
to prove that I'm right, true? Since it is you who
***thinks*** that regular defragging is beneficial, it is
your turn to demonstrate that you're right.

I suspect that defragging may deliver a measurable
benefit for heavily fragmented disks but not in most
other cases. Now let's have some hard figures from
you, including your test method so that I can repeat
and verify your tests. I love facts but I don't much
care for myths and dogmas.

 

[Alias]

If I add a certain compound to my car's engine oil to
reduce petrol consumption by 20% then I would have
to prove that I'm right, true? Since it is you who
***thinks*** that regular defragging is beneficial, it is
your turn to demonstrate that you're right.

I suspect that defragging may deliver a measurable
benefit for heavily fragmented disks but not in most
other cases. Now let's have some hard figures from
you, including your test method so that I can repeat
and verify your tests. I love facts but I don't much
care for myths and dogmas.

Take out stop watch. Install XP. Then install SP 2. Then install all 41
post-SP2 updates. Then install Office. Then install Photo Shop and all
the rest of your programs and devices. Reboot. Time it. Do a clean
up/chkdsk/defrag. Reboot. Time it. This is, of course, assuming that you
*can* reboot with such a fragmented drive.

I would also run SystemSuite 5's registry fixer and eliminate some 700+
keys.

Alias

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Take out stop watch. Install XP. Then install SP 2. Then install all 41
post-SP2 updates. Then install Office. Then install Photo Shop and all
the rest of your programs and devices. Reboot. Time it. Do a clean
up/chkdsk/defrag. Reboot. Time it. This is, of course, assuming that you
*can* reboot with such a fragmented drive.

I would also run SystemSuite 5's registry fixer and eliminate some 700+
keys.

Alias

Nice test. Now let's have your figures, since YOU insist that
there is a big difference.

While you're at it, please support your suggestion about
being unable to boot from a heavily fragmented disk with
some authoritative evidence.

 

[Alias]

Nice test. Now let's have your figures, since YOU insist that
there is a big difference.

You do it. You're the one questioning it. I would never not defrag under
those circumstances.

While you're at it, please support your suggestion about
being unable to boot from a heavily fragmented disk with
some authoritative evidence.

Try it and you'll find out. I could type any figures I want to type. If
you want to know the facts, do it yourself. Otherwise, STFU.

Alias

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You do it. You're the one questioning it. I would never not defrag under
those circumstances.


Try it and you'll find out. I could type any figures I want to type. If
you want to know the facts, do it yourself. Otherwise, STFU.

Alias

Since you're not prepared to substantiate what you so firmly
believe in, there is no point in continuing this discussion,
especially because there is no benefit in it for the hapless OP.

Next time you defrag, take out your stop watch and measure
the Wondows startup time before and after. You might be
surprised. I've done it, even before and after installing SP2.
The difference was barely visible. I was hoping to get some
comparative figures from you but alas . . .

 

[Alias]

Since you're not prepared to substantiate what you so firmly
believe in, there is no point in continuing this discussion,
especially because there is no benefit in it for the hapless OP.

Next time you defrag, take out your stop watch and measure
the Wondows startup time before and after. You might be
surprised. I've done it, even before and after installing SP2.
The difference was barely visible. I was hoping to get some
comparative figures from you but alas . . .

So the reason Microsoft put the defrag utility in XP is? I don't care if
you believe me or not. If you want proof, get it yourself by conducting
the above test. If not, STFU.

Alias

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

So the reason Microsoft put the defrag utility in XP is? I don't care if
you believe me or not. If you want proof, get it yourself by conducting
the above test. If not, STFU.

Alias

I did, and there was no noticeable difference. Your turn.

 

[Alias]

I did, and there was no noticeable difference. Your turn.

My, my, lying on Usenet. How quaint. I've seen the difference it makes
and you obviously haven't. Enough said.

Alias

 

[Guest]

I only disabled System Restore. Then did a defrag. My real question is by
disabling the System Restore, or by doing a defrag, can ANYTHING happen to
make the system hang like this? All I did was what I thought was harmless in
the sense of taking care of my computer. To do a simple step and have to go
to these lengths to find a possible solution is killing me. I feel it is
ready to open the OS so I can use the computer, but a glitch has activated
somehow.

 

[Alias]

I only disabled System Restore. Then did a defrag. My real question is by
disabling the System Restore, or by doing a defrag, can ANYTHING happen to
make the system hang like this? All I did was what I thought was harmless in
the sense of taking care of my computer. To do a simple step and have to go
to these lengths to find a possible solution is killing me. I feel it is
ready to open the OS so I can use the computer, but a glitch has activated
somehow.

Not sure that the defrag or disabling System Restore had anything to do
with it. Did you do anything else before defragging?

Alias

 

[Guest]

No, I can honestly say I did not do anything other than look at my e-mail. It
was Saturday and I had time, so I thought I'd clean up the space on the
computer. I do have the Beta version of MS spyware and norton antivirus. I'm
just wondering if anyone one of those files or other programs were moved
during the defrag and causing this.

 

[Alias]

No, I can honestly say I did not do anything other than look at my e-mail. It
was Saturday and I had time, so I thought I'd clean up the space on the
computer. I do have the Beta version of MS spyware and norton antivirus. I'm
just wondering if anyone one of those files or other programs were moved
during the defrag and causing this.

Not sure why you disabled System Restore. That will make things
difficult but try hitting F8 on the boot and choose "Use last known good
configuration". If that doesnt' work, try defragging in Safe Mode. If
that doesn't work, back up everything while in Safe Mode and reinstall
Windows. Once you've done that, DON'T reinstall Norton. You can use
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php for a firewall
(free) and Avast for an AV, http://www.avast.com, which is also free.
Use Spybot, Search and Destroy, AdAware, Spywareblaster and Spywareguard
(all free, Google them) instead of MS BETA Spyware program.

Alias