Major problem

[Guest]

Here is the history behind this problem:

Yesterday I installed Winamp v. 5.08e. After I did this, I got an error
message that said that no music files could be played.So I uninstalled
Winamp, and had the sameproblem in media player. Then I tried system restore.
Now what was a minor problem has blossomed into.. .

Whenever I turn onmy computer, it gets to what should be the desktop and is
only a black screen with a cursor on it that I can move around. When I start
in safe mode, I get the same thing, only with "safe mode" in all four corners
of this black screen. Please, PLEASE help me.

 

[Thief_]

You should try to restore your registry only from a DOS prompt- you might do
this in Safe Mode Command Prompt mode- see what happens!

 

[Guest]

I tried starting in safe mode with a DOSprompt and got the same thing. .
..just a black screen with the cursor and "Safe mode" inall four corners. It's
like the Desktop just completely turnedblack.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I installedService Pack 2 after I had the
Winamp problem, and that made my internet stop working. This always happens,
but I thought SP2 would help my mp3 problem. It didn't, andTHAT'S why I went
to system restore. Do you think that had anythingto do with it?

 

[Kelly]

Now that was important info left out. ( This may be video driver
related.

This generally has to do with display drivers. If you have recently done so
or ran the MS updates to do so, try a rollback via the Device Manager. If
this is not the case, use Ctrl/Alt/Delete and end process on Explorer.exe if
it is listed and either way, then go to File/New Task (Run) and type in:
Explorer.exe.

Explorer.exe repeatedly quits unexpectedly in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=883791

If still nothing:

Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality (Line 164)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive (you
may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double click the vbs
file. You will be prompted when the script is done.

NOTE: If your anti-virus software warns you of a "malicious" script, this
is normal if you have "Script Safe" or similar technology enabled. These
scripts are not malicious, but they do make changes to the System Registry.

Added info and help:

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Added info, not knowing more.....

Computer Stops Responding with a Black Screen When You Start Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;q314503

Windows XP Stops Responding at the Welcome Screen
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q294/4/27.asp

And lastly:

How to uninstall SP2: Uninstall SP2

Start/Control Panel/Add or Remove (make sure that Show Updates is enabled).

How to do a repair install:

Repair the Windows XP Installation - Note: You will forfeit all MS Updates.

Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information
about how to do this, please refer to your computer's documentation or
contact your computer manufacturer.

Insert your Windows XP compact disc (CD) into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive, and then restart your computer.

(You can also boot with a Windows 98/Me Startup disk with CD support and run
WINNT.EXE in the I386 folder on the CD)

When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on your
screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

When you see the following message displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen,
press ENTER: To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

At this point an option to press R to enter the Recovery Console is
displayed. Do not select this option.

On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the
license agreement. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is
selected in the box, and then press the R key to repair Windows XP. Follow
the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315341


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Signature changed for a moment of silence.
Rest well Alex and we'll see you on the other side.

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

However, I cannot do any of these things because I can't even get to my
desktop. It is just a black screen with the pointing cursor.I can move the
cursor, but that's it. I'm thinking it's probably some virus. I was hoping I
wouldn't have to reinstall windows YET AGAIN...*sigh* When will there be a
better OS?

 

[Rock]

However, I cannot do any of these things because I can't even get to my
desktop. It is just a black screen with the pointing cursor.I can move the
cursor, but that's it. I'm thinking it's probably some virus. I was hoping I
wouldn't have to reinstall windows YET AGAIN...*sigh* When will there be a
better OS?

:

See if you can remove sp2. Installing it when the system has problems
can lead to more issues:
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875350

If that doesn't work do a repair install:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Kelly]

Run a repair install. Place your XP CD in and follow the info, I provided.
First check your BIOS settings to ensure that your boot order is set to CD
first. Good luck!

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Thief_]

I wouldn't bother with the repair. you might as well tuck your tail b/w your
legs and setup.exe it! I have never had any success with Restores, Repairs,
etc- it's all bollocks when it comes to the (MS) big bang theory!

 

[Kelly]

You are speaking for yourself and I am speaking for 1,000's more. Ever
heard the saying....never mind. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

well it looks like i'm going to have to bite the bullet and reinstall
windows. Oh well. It's not the end of the world, right? *sigh* However, I've
read that people have reinstalled windows and had the same problems. Also,
can anyone explain why SP2 doesn't like my computer? It always screws it up!

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 21:55:01 -0700, "Monique"

|I tried starting in safe mode with a DOSprompt and got the same thing.
He wants u to boot into DOS from bootable floppy then
install a 'good' registry that u've saved where DOS can
get at it. Hopefullly u've worked this out & done 1x b4
as a test!! Note if ur saved registries r on NTFS
partition-> DOS cant get at it unless u've done some
homework.

'Proper planning prevents piss poor performance'

HTH-Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[NotMe]

I can trash any OS with enough 'fixing & tweaking'! LMAO

And I've only been computing since 1970.

 

[Granny]

Also, can anyone explain why SP2 doesn't like my computer?
It always screws it up!

It always screws it up? How many times have you installed it?
If you decide to do a complete reinstall, maybe you should
do some research to prepare your pc for SP2.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

 

[Kerry Brown]

well it looks like i'm going to have to bite the bullet and reinstall
windows. Oh well. It's not the end of the world, right? *sigh* However,
I've
read that people have reinstalled windows and had the same problems. Also,
can anyone explain why SP2 doesn't like my computer? It always screws it
up!

Contrary to what Thief_ wrote repair installs do work most of the time. I
repair computers for a living and do over ten repair installs a week. Maybe
once a month one doesn't work and that usually turns out to be a hardware
problem. The reason SP2 doesn't work is probably an incomapible driver or
program. Almost always when I get a computer where the customer says SP2
won't install and the hardware is compatible I find they are someone who
continually "tweaks" their computer with downloaded programs to manage
memory, monitor this or that, runs registry repair programs on a regular
basis etc. Or they are a relatively unsophisticated user who has a spyware
infection they don't know how to repair. In every case (where the hardware
is compatible) a clean install of XP slipstreamed with SP2 worked fine. If
you are going to do a clean install try making a SP2 slipstreamed CD and
installing from there.

Kerry

 

[Ron Martell]

Here is the history behind this problem:

Yesterday I installed Winamp v. 5.08e. After I did this, I got an error
message that said that no music files could be played.So I uninstalled
Winamp, and had the sameproblem in media player. Then I tried system restore.
Now what was a minor problem has blossomed into.. .

Whenever I turn onmy computer, it gets to what should be the desktop and is
only a black screen with a cursor on it that I can move around. When I start
in safe mode, I get the same thing, only with "safe mode" in all four corners
of this black screen. Please, PLEASE help me.

When you boot into Safe Mode do you get a popup asking you if you want
to run System Restore rather than booting into Safe Mode? If you do
get this then choose the System Restore option rather than Safe Mode
and try restoring to the most recent restore point that is prior to
the onset of the problems.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm