Diagnostic startup is not working

[chocolatemint77581]

I am trying to view a file that is locked and find that I cannot boot
up in Diagnostic Mode or selective startup with all boxes unchecked.

A search did not turn up anything that discusses it.
Anyone know what I can do to fix it?

Thanks.

 

[Jose]

I am trying to view a file that is locked and find that I cannot boot
up in Diagnostic Mode or selective startup with all boxes unchecked.

A search did not turn up anything that discusses it.
Anyone know what I can do to fix it?

Thanks.

Eliminated malicious software first with these tools:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

I would not check any of the boot.ini boxes in MSCONFIG. There is
malicious software that if in infects your machine and you change your
MSCONFIG boot setting by enabling /SAFEBOOT, you will not be able to
boot in Safe Mode either to undo it (you will be stuck).

A better idea is while you machine is booting, before XP starts to
load, start tapping the F8 key to recieve a boot menu options menu.
Choose Safe Mode with Networking or No Networking, login and then try
to remove the file normally. If you miss the menu, let XP boot up,
restart and try F8 again. The F8 opportunity window be elusive

If a proper boot in Safe Mode doesn't to it boot normally and the
download unlocker from here:

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Unlocker will work with a normal boot. If that doesn't work, here are
some alternative stubborn file removers:

http://killbox.net/
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/

 

[Andy]

Eliminated malicious software first with these tools:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM):  http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS):  http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

I would not check any of the boot.ini boxes in MSCONFIG.   There is
malicious software that if in infects your machine and you change your
MSCONFIG boot setting by enabling /SAFEBOOT, you will not be able to
boot in Safe Mode either to undo it (you will be stuck).

A better idea is while you machine is booting, before XP starts to
load, start tapping the F8 key to recieve a boot menu options menu.
Choose Safe Mode with Networking or No Networking, login and then try
to remove the file normally.  If you miss the menu, let XP boot up,
restart and try F8 again.  The F8 opportunity window be elusive

If a proper boot in Safe Mode doesn't to it boot normally and the
download unlocker from here:

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Unlocker will work with a normal boot.  If that doesn't work, here are
some alternative stubborn file removers:

http://killbox.net/http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/

I am trying to view the ntuser.dat.log file.

Andy

 

[Jose]

I am trying to view the ntuser.dat.log file.

Andy

My bad for not reading thoroughly and prophesying the file name. My
crystal ball took the day off!

Diagnostic mode won't help you for this and not being able to "read"
it is normal - especially if you are logged it since the file is in
use and normally hidden, but it sounds like you found it. I have
found one for every user, all the old ones are 1K (in Explorer) and
viewable with a text editor but the file is binary, and the few bytes
of readable information is not much use to me, so I don't know WTH it
is supposed to be doing. My "live" one expands and contacts size as
I do things on my computer.

Do some Google searching on ntuser.dat and ntuser.dat.log and you will
get some results describing these files, what they do, where they come
from, how to view and why not to mess with them unless you know what
you are doing.

Is there a particular problem you are having or just curious?

 

[Andy]

My bad for not reading thoroughly and prophesying the file name.  My
crystal ball took the day off!

Diagnostic mode won't help you for this and not being able to "read"
it is normal - especially if you are logged it since the file is in
use and normally hidden, but it sounds like you found it.  I have
found one for every user, all the old ones are 1K (in Explorer) and
viewable with a text editor but the file is binary, and the few bytes
of readable information is not much use to me, so I don't know WTH it
is supposed to be doing.   My "live" one expands and contacts size as
I do things on my computer.

Do some Google searching on ntuser.dat and ntuser.dat.log and you will
get some results describing these files, what they do, where they come
from, how to view and why not to mess with them unless you know what
you are doing.

Is there a particular problem you are having or just curious?

Curiosity.

Andy

 

[Jose]

Curiosity.

Andy

You can find descriptions, directions and third party apps to browse
the ntuser.dat file, I have never had the need.

Here is one such link from "curious guy" I found in a Google search:

http://chullickal.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-is-ntuserdat-ntuserdatlog.html

Take a peek at one that is not in use and see what you think.

Maybe someone else can 'splain them better,