computer freezes at startup

[SirAtticus]

My computer now freezes when it starts up.It loads everything then sends an
error message sayings windows explorer must close then nothing.I know I can
reload everything using my restor cds but my bigger problem is saving the
documents on there now.Is there any way to go into command prompt or
something & backup my files or is this going to be a really tough life lesson
on backing up files before the crash?

 

[peter]

Try starting in "safe Mode"...tap F8 at startup...then remove Windows
Explorer from your startup routine or do you back ups from safe mode.
peter

 

[Leonard Grey]

Dear Sir:

I could wag my little finger and say "shoulda backed up" but that won't
help you now. For now, know that you can extract data from a hard disk
that won't boot. (It involves using a good copy of Windows to read the
bad disk.)

Before you consider wiping your hard disk and starting over, it's worth
you time to try to solve the error, but it's going to take some
troubleshooting and that might be tedious. Want to try?

Step One: Can you boot into Safe Mode? If you can boot into Safe Mode
you're as golden as a MacDonalds french fry.

 

[Gerry]

Try this. What happens? Do you get a Stop Error message you can post?

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure until you have
resolved the problem. Check for variants of the Stop Error message.

An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.

If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.

What is your Windows XP CD as it is described on the face of the CD?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

Leonard

MacDonalds french fry - do you by any chance enjoy these?


--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Leonard Grey]

Not any more Gerry, not any more. Not since I became a Daddy. Funny how
that changes your viewpoint.

 

[Gerry]

Leonard

We've given up on taking the grandchildren there. You could not even opt
for just a cup of coffee. That's just as bad.

--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[SirAtticus]

I can't. It tells me I don't have enough virtual memory

 

[SirAtticus]

No, it tells me I don't have enough virtual memory then reboots itself again
and again

 

[Leonard Grey]

That's not a hopeful sign, I'm afraid. Sounds like an infection,
especially if you can get to the desktop, if only for an instant, before
you see that message.

If you can get your hands on a different computer with a known-good copy
of Windows XP, you can install your hard drive as the secondary drive
(i.e., not the boot drive) and scan the second drive with the protective
software of the good installation. You can also use the good
installation to copy all your files, spreadsheets, pictures, etc. to the
good hard drive, if you end up needing to erase your drive.

Another possible option - but not one I can help you with - is to boot
to a command prompt. Someone who knows their way around the command line
might know how to stop the reboot cycle. Best of luck.

 

[Gerry]

Try this. What happens? Do you get a Stop Error message you can post?

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure until you have
resolved the problem. Check for variants of the Stop Error message.

An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.

If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.

What is your Windows XP CD as it is described on the face of the CD?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~