XP freezes during boot, safe mode and w/ install CD

[Vampyreguy]

When I try to start my wifes computer it freezes during the boot screen. It
does the same if i try to boot into safe mode. Also if i try to boot off the
install cd it freezes when it says starting windows

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If you can't boot to a CD, you have some form of hardware trouble. I would
try to use another CD drive.

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[Leonard Grey]

Can you eventually boot into Windows, or not at all?

Can you think of anything that might have caused the problem, e.g.,
changes made to hardware or software?

If the answer to both questions is 'no' you should consider showing the
computer to a professional. You will probably have to erase the hard
disk and reinstall all the software. The professional can watch your
monitor as the computer is starting - which we obviously can't - and she
or he will show you how to backup your files before erasing the hard disk.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp

 

[Vampyreguy]

I can't boot into windows at all. I havent made any changes. I recently
installed a fresh copy of XP on the hard drive. btw its an old copy of XP pro
sp1 from 2002.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Installing Windows counts as a "change".

Was XP Pro SP 1 the version of Windows that was on the computer when you
did this?

If it was, you did something wrong while re-installing.

If it was not, you should not have installed it.

Either way, you're looking at erasing the hard disk and starting over.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp

 

[Vampyreguy]

sorry it a fresh install on a new drive(which i spent all day updating to
sp3) which was working fine for the last month.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Too bad you didn't supply all these details upfront.

There could be any number of reasons why a computer freezes at startup.
If you really can't think of any possible cause for the problem, your
best bet is to show the computer to a professional. Unless you can
provide us with some clues as to what might be behind this problem, all
we can do is take guesses. My guess is malware.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp

 

[db.·.. >]

you might try accessing
the bios and double check
that the attached devices
and the time are verified
and accurate.

if the data is accurate in
the bios, then next you
might want to run a test
on the memory:

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

-----------

i would agree with mark,
in that if you could not even
reinstall windows or reformat
with the cd, then the issue
you have is hardware related.

perhaps, you might want to
check under the hood and
ensure that the cabling
connectors to the disk(s) are
not loose or skewed.

the issue may also be due
to insufficient power from
the power supply component.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[John Wunderlich]

When I try to start my wifes computer it freezes during the boot
screen. It does the same if i try to boot into safe mode. Also if
i try to boot off the install cd it freezes when it says starting
windows

You might try booting from a [free] Live Linux CD/DVD such as Knoppix.
Since there's no Windows software on the disk, if it also freezes at
boot it could indicate a hardware problem.

<http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html>

HTH,
John