Windows XP Pro won't start - no user select screen

[Bob]

Hello,

My Windows XP Pro suddenly collapsed with a blue screen of death.
That happened a couple of times before, so I wasn't particularly
worried.
However, after restarting Windows got frozen in a state when it's
supposed to show the list of available users to select for login.

The screen is the following: regualar Windows start-up screen
(light-blue with dark-blue bands at the top and botom of the screen),
and a Windows XP logo with 4-color flag on top of the letters. That's
it.

It doesn't respond to anything in that state, except the power button.

I attempted to enter safe mode, but it results in the same screen.

What could be a problem here?
What to do?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

 

[Guest]

Try booting to xp cd,select recovery at xp cd info page,press enter key for
password,select 1 for C: drive,then type:CHKDSK C: /R When its thru,12-20
min. type:EXIT Let xp start up,remove cd.If no go,retry safe mode,enter as
administrator.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Could be many things but, if it won't load safe mode or the last known good
configuration, my first step would be to boot with the WinXP CD and load the
Recovery Console. From the prompt, run "chkdsk c: /r". Restart normally when
finished.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

If you don't have a CD (very common in preinstalled systems), you can do it
from the boot floppy set.

Using the WinXP Boot floppy set:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Boot floppy

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Have you tried F8 "Last known Good Configuration"?
If doesn't work, F8 "safe mode"? then use System Restore.
If deosn't work, F8 "safe mode w/command prompt". Then use command to start
System Restore. Command "drive":\windows\system32\repair\rstrui.exe
where "Drive" is boot drive. probably "C" drive no quotes

One of these should work.

 

[Bob]

Thanks for you advices.

I tried "chkdsk c: /r". from recovery console. It successfully
finished in a couple of hours, but Windows still in the same state -
won't start.

Any of F8 options - safe modes - result in the same blue start screen,
no user select options. The mouse is working, by the way (I can move a
cursor).

Any more ideas?

Thank you,
Bob

 

[Guest]

Safe mode w/command, doesn't not allow System Restore to start?

When at blue screen, hit ctrl+alt+del several times!!!
What happens??
Does login menu come up?

 

[Bob]

Hello,

Safe mode w/command, doesn't not allow System Restore to start?

If I select that option (as well as any other start-up options
available at pressing F8), the Windows behaves exactly like during the
normal startup (just with a safe mode small screen) - it stops
displaying Windows logo, no users displayed, no any reaction to
keyboard, the mouse cursor could be moved, but no reaction to clicks.

When at blue screen, hit ctrl+alt+del several times!!!
What happens??
Does login menu come up?

Tried that first when read you previous message. No reaction. Nothing.
Nada. Zilch.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Guest]

several options yet
1) Clean Install will erase hard drive
2) Repair Install should only repair damaged files
3) Try to manually repair Registry using KB Article ## not on top of my head
4) One more attempt to force computer into Safe Mode, which I'm working on.

So what to do you want to do??
Note: Probably easiest is to do "Clean Install" but yuo would have to back
up all personal files as this would wipe hard drive clean.

 

[Bob]

1) Clean Install will erase hard drive

That's not a good option as I have no access to the hard drive now to
back up.

2) Repair Install should only repair damaged files

What is Repair Install? Install over the existing installation with the
CD? Would it preserve all the settings?

3) Try to manually repair Registry using KB Article ## not on top of my head

Do you suggest that the registry is broken? What kind of repair should
I do?

4) One more attempt to force computer into Safe Mode, which I'm working on.

Will try...

So what to do you want to do??

Amything that could bring the computer back, preferrably without
reinstalling all the software.

Thank you,
Bob

 

[Bob]

Getting worse and worse...

Yesterday I was able to access Recovery Console with my admin password,
which is blank - just by pressing ENTER. Now it doesn't work ("invalid
password"). I checked the password with LoginRecovery.com tool - it
confirmed that the password is blank.

I just wanted to perform some steps outlined here:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

but now I was robbed from this option as well...

What's happening? I'm almost desperate.
Is it safe just to perform a Repair install from the cd?

 

[Guest]

what computer do yuo have ? name brand
What do yuo have to install Windows?
Recovery CD, Recovery Set, OEM CD, full version, upgrade version

I'm assuming you have MS XP CD not OEM CD!!

Don't know why your Admin password would no longer work for Recovery Console!!
Did yuo try several times?? Did yuo make any attempt to install or repair?

"Repair Install " as described in article you listed, DOES NOT require use
of "Recovery Console".

The pocedure for repairing registry is far to complicated for casual user.

Also, since yuo're not sure it yuo can use "Recovery Console" due to
password, the other alternative to force computer into safe mode is no longer
available. Not sure that it would have worked anyway since other safe modes
have failed.

That ONLY leaves yuo with "Repair Install" or "Clean Install".
YOu currently have thumbs down on it.

So "Repair Install" it is!!!! Follow procedure that ou have.
If this fails though, yuor ONLY option is Clean Install!!
Cross fingers

 

[Bob]

Thanks, Dennis and all!

"Repair Install" did the trick - my Windows is working again!

I had MS regular XP CD, and I knew that Repair Install and Recovery
Console are two different things , I just wanted to be as safe as
possible and copy/delete some files before I set the bridge on fire...

However, all worked well. The only victrim so far is my antivirus -
it's files got corrupted, but that's not a big deal.

Thanks again for your help,
Bob

 

[Guest]

Good!!!

Any luck with Admin password?
May need in future for Recovery Console or Safe Mode.

--
Dennis S.
I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.

Thanks, Dennis and all!

"Repair Install" did the trick - my Windows is working again!

I had MS regular XP CD, and I knew that Repair Install and Recovery
Console are two different things , I just wanted to be as safe as
possible and copy/delete some files before I set the bridge on fire...

However, all worked well. The only victrim so far is my antivirus -
it's files got corrupted, but that's not a big deal.

Thanks again for your help,
Bob