Windows XP won't start

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jhunt
  • Start date Start date
J

Jhunt

I installed Norton Antivirus, but when I restarted the
computer after installing the program windows will not
start. First a login screen comes up where it didn't
before. And now a message pops up stating "userinit.exe --
Application Error. This application failed to initialize.
Hit OK to terminate the program." And once I hit the OK
button the desktop picture just stays there. No Icons, No
start bar, nothing starts up. Although I can still hear
the start up sound when the computer starts, and if I
leave it long enough my screen saver pops up. So its as if
the computer is starting, just until the last step as to
where Windows XP Prof. actually starts where I can use the
computer. Ive tried the whole safe mode thing, and the
start on last good configuration and neither have worked.
I've even tried Ctrl+Alt+Del and it just has a taskmanager
error. Please help me fix my computer!!
 
-----Original Message-----
I installed Norton Antivirus, but when I restarted the
computer after installing the program windows will not
start. First a login screen comes up where it didn't
before. And now a message pops up stating "userinit.exe - -
Application Error. This application failed to initialize.
Hit OK to terminate the program." And once I hit the OK
button the desktop picture just stays there. No Icons, No
start bar, nothing starts up. Although I can still hear
the start up sound when the computer starts, and if I
leave it long enough my screen saver pops up. So its as if
the computer is starting, just until the last step as to
where Windows XP Prof. actually starts where I can use the
computer. Ive tried the whole safe mode thing, and the
start on last good configuration and neither have worked.
I've even tried Ctrl+Alt+Del and it just has a taskmanager
error. Please help me fix my computer!!
.
Click to expand...


Try to use System restore and restore the system to a
previous configuration. You must be logged on as a member
of the Administrators group to do a System Restore. You
can do the System Restore from Safe Mode then follow these
steps:

1) From the Start menu, choose Help And Support.
2) In the Help And Support Center, under Pick A Task,
click the Undo Changes To Your Computer With System
Restore link.
3) In the Welcome To System Restore screen choose Restore
My Computer To An Earlier Time and click Next.
4) Select the restore point you want to use, based on the
date and description. Then click Next.
5) On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, verify the
settings you’ve chosen. If everything is in order, click
Next.

System Restore copies system files and settings from the
System Restore archives and restarts your computer
automatically. If the results are not what you expected,
run System Restore again and then choose the Undo My Last
Restoration option.


Hope this helps!

Gary Thorn
MVP-Windows Technologies/Xbox
Associate Expert


More about the Windows XP Expert Zone:


More about the MS MVP Program:
http://tinyurl.com/n08
 
When I go through the safe mode options it goes all the
way to a black screen that says safe mode and that's it.
It won't actually boot all the way up in safe mode.
Click to expand...


You are running out of options here.

Since you are maybe getting to the desktop but can't see it, try a
System File Check:
1) Make sure your WinXP CD is in the CD Drive.
2) Once you think the desktop is up, click the Windows key + R. This
will open the Run command
3) Type: sfc /scannow then hit the Enter key
4) It will ask to place your WinXP CD in the drive


If the above doesn't work, try a full WinXP repair:
1) Start WinXP setup from DOS (Win9x boot disk) or boot
from WinXP CD.
2) Setup will ask if you want to Install Windows or
Repair. SELECT INSTALL.
3) Setup should find your existing WinXP system(hopefully)
4) Select the WinXP system that was found and now select
Repair.

Setup will repair WinXP.

For more info look at this MS knowledgebase article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q312369

If the above 2 don't work, you will need to do a clean installation
(descructive) of Winxp.


Hope this helps!

Gary Thorn
MVP-Windows Technologies
Associate Expert


More info about the Windows XP Expert Zone:
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/

More info about the MS MVP Program:
http://tinyurl.com/n08
 
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