Windows XP will not start

[Guest]

When I boot up the system it takes me to a screen that apologizes for Windows
not starting properly. The screen offers the options: Safe Safe Network
Start Safe start with Dos Prompt and Start Windows Normally. Chosing any
of these options reboots the computer. I can access drive c from a boot
disk but cannot copy files off of C. My Windows CD gets as far as Setup and
then presents me with the blue screen! At the very least I want to retrive my
data. Any ideas?--
Getting worried!

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

First, would you say how far you got when you selected Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking? Did it begin to load Windows? are you able to login to your account? eg, how far do you get in the process?

Did you try selecting Last Known Good configuration?

More advice to follow. As one next to last resort, you might use Recovery Console to attempt to get to System Restore.
Is your WIN CD a full retail CD, or a full OEM CD ?

What kind of boot disk are you referring to? and is your HD in NTFS or FAT32 ?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Be very, very persistent in tapping F8 when this pc is booting up. Getting a bootup menu is a big key.
When the pc is booting up, and while the BIOS is displaying the power up tests and status.... just before or after it shows
"verifying DMI pool data" ---- start tapping F8.

Next it's to turn off "reboot on error" --- we want to see a blue screen with the STOP exception rather than a reboot.

Note that you will actually see "Disable automatic restart on system failure" as an option once you get the bootup options.
Select that and give it a try.


Other suggestions:

So you are unable to even login to Safe Mode.
Have you tried F8 bootup again, and selecting "Last Known Good configuration" ?


If yes, and that also did not work .... then ... repeat F8 steps, get bootup menu, then select
"Safe Mode with Command Prompt". See if you can get that.


The MS Knowledge Base article noted below, may help in restoring a "prior XP System Restore point",
in the case where you are unable to do this from a Windows session.


The article describes how to start the System Restore tool when you are unable to start your Windows XP-based computer normally or
in Safe mode.
You may be able to do it from a "special command prompt"..."Safe Mode with Command Prompt".


It would seem the requirements are:
1. Your system HD still has restore point(s) from before. (Which also means System Restore is active on your XP.)
2. You have to be able to "selectively" bootup your pc into "Safe mode with command prompt".
3. Follow the directions to use "rstrui.exe" the XP System Restore program.


HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt ( MS Knowledge Base Article 304449)
http://support.microsoft.com/d­efault.aspx?kbid=304449