Windows XP Bootup Failure after Windows Update

[Harvey]

Hi:

Upgrading a 3 year old Gateway computer with AMD Athlon
processor with 20 GB Harddrive, 256 MB of Ram, to Windows
XP Pro SP1, using OEM clean install. (System was
previously running Windows ME. Updated was precipitated
by owner reporting numerous system failures and harddrive
crashes.) Entire harddrive was stripped and reformatted
prior to install. Was initially successful in installing
OS and running Windows Update to get latest patches and
drivers. Installed both Norton Systemworks and Internet
Security (2004 versions). No problems when NIS installed
but system froze up during bootup after NIS was installed.

Was able to restore system by running XP Pro install
in "repair mode." I then ran full diagnostic including
CHKDISK which discovered and repaired 5 damaged clusters.
(Had to reinstall some of the apps which had files in
those clusters.) So far so good. Reran Windows Update,
only to discover that sytem again froze during reboot.
Tried several times to reboot into safe mode, but even
that failed.

I am thinking that the problem may be the harddrive
finally giving up the ghost, but I am also suspicous of
Norton. I have heard of similar problems with people
installing both NSW and NIS, but I did the install in the
recommended order, installing System Works first then
NIS. (Antivirus was installed with System Works, but
skipped during NIS install.)

Can use some help with this.

Thanks in advance.
Harvey

 

[David Candy]

Run a bootlog. The option is where you can choose Safe Mode. But record it in normal mode.

 

[Plato]

Was able to restore system by running XP Pro install
in "repair mode." I then ran full diagnostic including
CHKDISK which discovered and repaired 5 damaged clusters.

Even norton wont cause damaged clusters. The hard drive is dying. Your 3
years are up.

 

[Harvey]

I'm am in full agreement with you on this. I was able to
get the computer to run CHKDISK and additional damaged
clusters were discovered. I am still suspicious of some
kind of incompatibility between one or more of the
critical Windows updates and Norton, but I will deal with
that possiblity once I have the new drive installed.

Thanks for your help.

Harvey