Windows XP won't start. HELP

[Guest]

When I turn on my computer Windows won't start. I get the Microsoft XP logo
at the beginning and then it goes to the blue screen with a small Windows XP
logo in the middle and then it stays like tat forever. I don't get any error
messages or anything that can tell me what's wrong.
I tried restarting my computer in Safe Mode but it does the same thing. I
also tried the different options in F8, all unsuccessful. It just gets stuck
on that screen.

Can someone tell me how I can fix this without having to use the recovery
disk? I don't want to loose any files. They are very important to me.

Thank you

 

[DL]

No backup and very important dont go together.
If you have any other hw connected you could try disconnecting these.
ie a bare sys, single hd, vid card, cd, mouse, keybd, single ram stick
You could also try the hd manu checking utility, download and install to a
floppy, which is used to boot with

 

[Guest]

I can not get past the same blue screen Bolthy writes about but I don't get
any response to f8 key either. I do not understand what the answer meant. I
don't get an option to start in safe mode either. I get nothing but the blue
screen with small loge in the center.

 

[John Trigilio]

I have same problem. Did not install any new hardware. Internet Explorer
would not go to webpage, so I shut down WinXP Media Center, rebooted, and
now my computer hangs on the same blue page with the MS Windows XP logo.
Cursor will move across page but nothing else. Tried safe mode and same
thing happens. Could this be a new virus or faulty update from MS?

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure I understand. I don't have anything else hooked up to my
computer.
How do I download the hd manu checking utility and what is that? Help me
further. Thank you

 

[DL]

HD checking utility is provided by the HD manu, and available from their web
site.
You download the file and install it to a floppy.
Then use this floppy to boot your PC, you are then able to run a number of
test on your HD to determine if it has a problem.

Have you perhaps used win update to install any new hardware drivers?

 

[Guest]

I'll try that. I haven't installed any new drivers. So, i'm not sure what
could have happened. People have recommended to do a Repair Install but
doing that will delete all my files (pictures, videos, etc.) They say that
to prevent data loss I should delete the Undo_guimode.txt file from the
Windows\System32 folder using a Command Prompt. However, my computer is not
able to start windows therefore not load a Command Prompt not even if I pick
to start windows in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" Do you know of any other
ways to do this?

Thanks

 

[DL]

If you have a winxp cd as appossed to a *restore* cd your data *should'nt*
be touched with a repair installation.
Sometimes even a repair installation can remove data in the documents &
settings grouping.

If you have a restore cd it depends on the type as to whether it gives the
option to repair or resets the pc to origonal config, destroying all data.
You would have to check with the PC manu.