Laptop With Windows 2000 Will No Longer Boot Up

[Frank]

Hello - I hope someone can help me. I have been using an old Dell Pentium 2
laptop for several years with the Windows 2000 OS. Although slow - I have had
no problems until now.

When the system booted up yesterday, I got to the desktop but nothing would
open (I clicked on IE and the hour glass came up and then stopped). Same
issue when I tried to get into other applications. So - I shut the system
down and now it will not boot up at all. It is going through a lengthy login
process and then I get an error message that "the system cannot log you in
because the domain is unavailable". It stopped right at the logon screen
which it has never done before and I have never gotten that message before. I
shut down again and tried to boot up using F8 and trying every menu selection
available (ie: Safe Mode; late known good configuration, etc.). I even tried
booting up with my Windows 2000 CD and got an error message that some file
was corrupted and I need to restart.

Nothing works. I am willing to reinstall the entire Windows 2000 OS if I
have to, but I can't even get to a point in the process that would allow me
to do so. I don't have any recovery discs as the laptop was a gift and did
not have any.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello - I hope someone can help me. I have been using an old Dell Pentium
2
laptop for several years with the Windows 2000 OS. Although slow - I have
had
no problems until now.

When the system booted up yesterday, I got to the desktop but nothing
would
open (I clicked on IE and the hour glass came up and then stopped). Same
issue when I tried to get into other applications. So - I shut the system
down and now it will not boot up at all. It is going through a lengthy
login
process and then I get an error message that "the system cannot log you in
because the domain is unavailable". It stopped right at the logon screen
which it has never done before and I have never gotten that message
before. I
shut down again and tried to boot up using F8 and trying every menu
selection
available (ie: Safe Mode; late known good configuration, etc.). I even
tried
booting up with my Windows 2000 CD and got an error message that some file
was corrupted and I need to restart.

Nothing works. I am willing to reinstall the entire Windows 2000 OS if I
have to, but I can't even get to a point in the process that would allow
me
to do so. I don't have any recovery discs as the laptop was a gift and did
not have any.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

You will need to purchase a Win2000 installation CD & licence if you wish to
re-install Windows. In the meantime you can probably log on by doing this:
1. Boot the machine with a Nordahl boot diskette from here:
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html
2. Reset the Administrator's password to a blank.
3. Boot the machine normally.
4. Specify the following things in the three boxes you see
on the logon screen:
Username: Administrator
Password: (leave blank)
Domain: Open the drop box and select your computer's name.
5. When you're up and running, create a second admin account
and lock its name away in a safe place. Having a second admin
account is equivalent to having a spare key for your car (which
I'm sure you have!).

 

[philo]

Hello - I hope someone can help me. I have been using an old Dell Pentium 2
laptop for several years with the Windows 2000 OS. Although slow - I have had
no problems until now.

When the system booted up yesterday, I got to the desktop but nothing would
open (I clicked on IE and the hour glass came up and then stopped). Same
issue when I tried to get into other applications. So - I shut the system
down and now it will not boot up at all. It is going through a lengthy login
process and then I get an error message that "the system cannot log you in
because the domain is unavailable". It stopped right at the logon screen
which it has never done before and I have never gotten that message before. I
shut down again and tried to boot up using F8 and trying every menu selection
available (ie: Safe Mode; late known good configuration, etc.). I even tried
booting up with my Windows 2000 CD and got an error message that some file
was corrupted and I need to restart.

Nothing works. I am willing to reinstall the entire Windows 2000 OS if I
have to, but I can't even get to a point in the process that would allow me
to do so. I don't have any recovery discs as the laptop was a gift and did
not have any.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Run a RAM test

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

 

[Frank]

Hello Pegasus, thanks for your help.

I clicked on the link you attached or the Nordahl boot diskette, but there
are several choices and I'm not sure which one to use. Could you be more
specific with exact names, etc? Once I locate the right file, is it okay me
to burn it to a CD? I noticed you used the term "diskette". so i wasn't sure.
If you could elaborate on these questions, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Frank

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Keep it simple - take the first choice offered! (cd080802.zip (~3MB) -
Bootable CD image). Since it says "Bootable CD image" it's perfectly OK to
burn an image. If you prefer to work with a diskette then you select the
first one from the "Floppy release" set.

 

[Frank]

I like simple!

I see that this is a ZIP file. Do I unzip first and then burn to CD? Or do i
burn the Zip and then unzip? Also - I'm not sure if I have WinZip program. If
not what do you suggest?

Once I get the above squared away - I guess I just turn on the Laptop and
then immediately put in the CD with the files you told me to download?

Thanks, I'm a little slow today.

 

[Dave Patrick]

Unzip then burn it (not copy) to CD-Rom


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[b.jeswine]

In

I'm not sure if I have WinZip program. If not what do you suggest?

http://7-zip.org/

 

[Frank]

Pegasus

I have tried everything you suggested with the instructions and download
that you provided and nothing is working. I went line by line with the
instructions and rebooted but am still getting the message that says "the
system cannot log you on now because the domain is unavailable". The Windows
2000 logon screen is only giving me a Username and password and I can't get
past that screen! I have no idea how to even change a domain since there is
no option anywhere to do. What else can you or anyone suggest? I don't know
what else to do to by-pass this error message. Help!

 

[Dave Patrick]

These may help.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=306952

Be sure to apply these to your repair install before connecting to any
network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Frank]

Hello Dave,

Thanks for trying to help with my mess. I did follow the directions for the
In-Place Upgrade as suggested. I put in the Windows start up CD directly
after I powewred up the laptop and it went through a series of checks and
then stopped with the following message 'the file pci.sys is corrupted'.
'Set up failed'.

Can you give me a solution on this error? Thanks.

Frank

These may help.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=306952

Be sure to apply these to your repair install before connecting to any
network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Pegasus

I have tried everything you suggested with the instructions and download
that you provided and nothing is working. I went line by line with the
instructions and rebooted but am still getting the message that says "the
system cannot log you on now because the domain is unavailable". The
Windows
2000 logon screen is only giving me a Username and password and I can't
get
past that screen! I have no idea how to even change a domain since there
is
no option anywhere to do. What else can you or anyone suggest? I don't
know
what else to do to by-pass this error message. Help!

 

[Dave Patrick]

I'd test the RAM or possibly this one may help.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319136



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Frank]

I'm ready to give up as I've tried everything.

Since I have the disks and backups for the files on this laptop, I'm
thinking I should just wipe everything clean on the hard disk and start over.
Is that possible? How do I go about doing that. Is it related to F-Disk or is
there some other way? Remember, whatever I do has to be done outside of
logging in as I can't get past the startup screen. Thanks for your continued
help.

I'd test the RAM or possibly this one may help.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319136



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Hello Dave,

Thanks for trying to help with my mess. I did follow the directions for
the
In-Place Upgrade as suggested. I put in the Windows start up CD directly
after I powewred up the laptop and it went through a series of checks and
then stopped with the following message 'the file pci.sys is corrupted'.
'Set up failed'.

Can you give me a solution on this error? Thanks.

Frank

 

[Dave Patrick]

To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
prompts.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very
important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive
controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later
you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver
for your drive controller in drive "A")

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Frank]

Dave - Thanks do much for hanging in there with me on this.

I need to ask you to elaborate on your first sentence that states, "The set
of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change to
the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or
makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.."

I have no idea what this means. To reiterate - the laptop was given to me as
a gift many years ago and I have the Windows 2000 CD (it has the product key
as well) and MS Office CD and thats it. I do not have any kind of back up or
system type CDs.

You talk about how to create four install disks but I'm not following you.
When do I create them? How and where do I change to the \bootdisk directory?
I can't get into anything - remember the system does not boot up. How do I
get to the point where I can do what you instructed? I am still confused.

Thanks for your continued help.

Frank

To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
prompts.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very
important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive
controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later
you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver
for your drive controller in drive "A")

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

I'm ready to give up as I've tried everything.

Since I have the disks and backups for the files on this laptop, I'm
thinking I should just wipe everything clean on the hard disk and start
over.
Is that possible? How do I go about doing that. Is it related to F-Disk or
is
there some other way? Remember, whatever I do has to be done outside of
logging in as I can't get past the startup screen. Thanks for your
continued
help.

 

[Frank]

Also, one other thing. This laptop does not have a floppy drive. can I do
this strictly from the CD ROM? Can I use a different computer to make the
disks? (My desktop does have a floppy drive if necessary). Thanks.

To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup
disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000
CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute
makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the
prompts.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very
important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive
controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later
you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver
for your drive controller in drive "A")

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional
screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


Then

Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

I'm ready to give up as I've tried everything.

Since I have the disks and backups for the files on this laptop, I'm
thinking I should just wipe everything clean on the hard disk and start
over.
Is that possible? How do I go about doing that. Is it related to F-Disk or
is
there some other way? Remember, whatever I do has to be done outside of
logging in as I can't get past the startup screen. Thanks for your
continued
help.

 

[Dave Patrick]

If you can boot from the CD-Rom then you're set. You won't need the floppy
disks.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Dave Patrick]

Yes, you could but it sounds like you don't need them.



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Frank]

I'm even more confused now. I mentioned in a previous post that I cannot boot
up normally with my Windows CD. That is the reason for all thses emails. What
I think I might be hearing from you is that I can change to the \bootdisk
directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe
(from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.." I do not know how to do this. Can
you provide some detailed instruction? Here's what I know.. My laptop is off.
I will turn it on and pop in the Windows 2000 CD.. I get a message that says
something like - press any key if you want to boot up with this CD. I do that
and it runs through some set up commands and then eventually brings me to an
error that I included in this post a couple days ago. So, how do I by-pass
that and get to the boot disk directory? I need more detail. Do I need to hit
some "F" key?? I'm sorry if some of this may seem trivial to you, but I just
don't understand and need some additional detail. Thanks for helping me.

Frank

If you can boot from the CD-Rom then you're set. You won't need the floppy
disks.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Dave - Thanks do much for hanging in there with me on this.

I need to ask you to elaborate on your first sentence that states, "The
set
of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change
to
the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos)
or
makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.."

I have no idea what this means. To reiterate - the laptop was given to me
as
a gift many years ago and I have the Windows 2000 CD (it has the product
key
as well) and MS Office CD and thats it. I do not have any kind of back up
or
system type CDs.

You talk about how to create four install disks but I'm not following you.
When do I create them? How and where do I change to the \bootdisk
directory?
I can't get into anything - remember the system does not boot up. How do I
get to the point where I can do what you instructed? I am still confused.

Thanks for your continued help.

Frank

 

[Dave Patrick]

Yes, boot from the CD-Rom. This should start the installation process. If it
continues to start to old windows then you might not be fast enough or
possibly the CD-Rom drive may have failed.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect