Can't start up Windows XP Pro

[kamares415]

When I tried to boot up yeaterday morning it failed. After several attempts I
got as far as Start in Safe Mode. Then I discovered that I didn't have any
System Restore points...... except for when the new harddrive installed and
the computer had nothing else installed. I had done nothing of consequence
during the previous session. As I shut down, I noticed that there were
updates which would be auto installed before the computer would shut itself
down. I have done a disk scan and defrag to no avail. There is 86% freespace.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

When I tried to boot up yeaterday morning it failed. After several
attempts I
got as far as Start in Safe Mode. Then I discovered that I didn't have any
System Restore points...... except for when the new harddrive installed
and
the computer had nothing else installed. I had done nothing of consequence
during the previous session. As I shut down, I noticed that there were
updates which would be auto installed before the computer would shut
itself
down. I have done a disk scan and defrag to no avail. There is 86%
freespace.

You need to report what exactly happens when you boot up in Normal Mode, how
far you get and what you see on the screen. Remember- we can't see what's on
your screen!

 

[kamares415]

You need to report what exactly happens when you boot up in Normal Mode, how
far you get and what you see on the screen. Remember- we can't see what's on
your screen!

Of course. After the Dell logo I get a page of typescript saying it had not started up properly and to select an option from the list by moving the high light.

When trying the 2 options at the bottom 'start windows normally' or 'start
in last known good config' I get the Windows XP logo and the blue squares
moving across the box. This goes on and on to no conclusion [5+ minutes] so I
power off.
The two other options are safe mode with network and safe mode with command
prompts.
In safe mode, I get a full page of a list of files then it opens in 'safe
mode' with a window giving 2 options, 'yes' or 'no'. 'No' to use system
restore [but I have no restore points] or yes to fix a problem via Control
Panel.
Here I am in my zone of ignorance. Fix what and how? I have no idea what are
the right settings.

 

[Brian A.]

You need to report what exactly happens when you boot up in Normal Mode,
how
far you get and what you see on the screen. Remember- we can't see
what's on
your screen!

Of course. After the Dell logo I get a page of typescript saying it had
not started up properly and to select an option from the list by moving
the high light.

When trying the 2 options at the bottom 'start windows normally' or
'start in last known good config' I get the Windows XP logo and the blue
squares moving across the box. This goes on and on to no conclusion [5+
minutes] so I power off.
The two other options are safe mode with network and safe mode with
command prompts.
In safe mode, I get a full page of a list of files then it opens in 'safe
mode' with a window giving 2 options, 'yes' or 'no'. 'No' to use system
restore [but I have no restore points] or yes to fix a problem via Control
Panel.
Here I am in my zone of ignorance. Fix what and how? I have no idea what
are the right settings.

How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Elmo]

You need to report what exactly happens when you boot up in Normal Mode, how
far you get and what you see on the screen. Remember- we can't see what's on
your screen!

Of course. After the Dell logo I get a page of typescript saying it had not started up properly and to select an option from the list by moving the high light.

When trying the 2 options at the bottom 'start windows normally' or 'start
in last known good config' I get the Windows XP logo and the blue squares
moving across the box. This goes on and on to no conclusion [5+ minutes] so I
power off.
The two other options are safe mode with network and safe mode with command
prompts.
In safe mode, I get a full page of a list of files then it opens in 'safe
mode' with a window giving 2 options, 'yes' or 'no'. 'No' to use system
restore [but I have no restore points] or yes to fix a problem via Control
Panel.
Here I am in my zone of ignorance. Fix what and how? I have no idea what are
the right settings.

Since this happened after Windows Updates, I would boot to Safe Mode,
open Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, click the "Show Windows Updates
box atop the window, scroll down to the recent updates, and remove them.
Open Internet Options and in the Temporary Internet Files section,
click "Delete Files".

Restart the computer, and let the updates reinstall.

- You should have WU set to install critical updates; that might prevent
generic drivers from being updated.

- Also set WU to prompt you before installing; look at the updates so
you can decide whether you actually want what's offered, and deselect
those you don't want. You might not want IE8, the monthly malware
checks, etc..

- You might look into your Restore Points and see if they've been disabled.

See "Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302796).

System Restore fails to restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[db]

perhaps, the updates stalled
during install or the pc was
shut off during the installation
or you ran out of disk space.

my suggestion is to run some
commands from the disk prompt.

if you have a bootable cd like
a winxp cd, then boot with it.

select "repair" so that the recovery
console can launch.

then at the disk prompt run the
following commands>:

chkdsk /r
fixboot

then "exit", remove cd and
see if you can boot normally
again.


--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com

"share the nirvana mann" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jose]

You need to report what exactly happens when you boot up in Normal Mode, how
far you get and what you see on the screen. Remember- we can't see what's on
your screen!

Of course. After the Dell logo I get a page of typescript saying it hadnot started up properly and to select an option from the list by moving the high light.

When trying the 2 options  at the bottom 'start windows normally' or 'start
in last known good config' I get the Windows XP logo and the blue squares
moving across the box. This goes on and on to no conclusion [5+ minutes] so I
power off.
The two other options are safe mode with network and safe mode with command
prompts.
In safe mode, I get a full page of a list of files then it opens in 'safe
mode' with a window giving 2 options, 'yes' or 'no'. 'No' to use system
restore [but I have no restore points] or yes to fix a problem via Control
Panel.
Here I am in my zone of ignorance. Fix what and how? I have no idea what are
the right settings.

That sounds normal for Safe Mode so far.

What happens if you click the option to not use a Restore Point and
let the Safe Mode continue?

Do you have no Restore Points on purpose? It probably would not help
you with this problem, but most curious.