XP Pro SP2 now won't boot - just blank screen

[Chad Richardson]

I had XP home, upgraded to Pro. No problems.

Applied SP2, now won't boot. Before windows even begins to start up, it just
goes to a blank screen.

If I choose the "install fresh copy" option (as the repair didn't work. it
went throught the copy of files, then went to reboot and again went to a
blank screen), will it delete my data files???

 

[Malke]

I had XP home, upgraded to Pro. No problems.

Applied SP2, now won't boot. Before windows even begins to start up,
it just goes to a blank screen.

If I choose the "install fresh copy" option (as the repair didn't
work. it went throught the copy of files, then went to reboot and
again went to a blank screen), will it delete my data files???

The first thing to do is rescue your data. Then it won't matter (as
much) if you do have to do a clean install. There are several different
ways of getting that data:

1. Either slave the hard drive in a working XP box and copy the data off
that way or

2. If your computer has two cd drives, one of which is a burner, boot
with Knoppix and burn the data with k3b. Knoppix is a Linux distro that
runs from cd. You can get it at http://www.knoppix.net. Download it on
a computer with a fast Internet connection, a cd-rw drive, and
third-party software to make the bootable cd from the .iso.

Next, tell us something about your computer. What is the processor? Is
it an OEM (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.) machine? In the meantime, here are
some links that might help:

SP2 Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?&pr=windowsxpsp2

Installation of Service Pack 2 on PCs with Prescott, Celeron D and
Extreme Edition CPUs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=555185

SP2 links to OEMs
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/oemlinks.mspx

Device drivers known to cause instability in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=883775&product=windowsxpsp2

Troubleshooting SP2 for Windows XP
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm and
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#General

http://forum.aumha.org/index.php - See SP2 forums

Malke

 

[Chad Richardson]

So implicit in your answer is that choosing the "install fresh copy" option
will delete user data (My Docs, etc)? It's not going to do an entire format
is it?

I was thinking that I could just rename the "Document and Settings" folder
(so it wouldn't get written over), but haven't found a way to do that, since
the only way to boot is in Recovery Consel which only gives you write access
to windows folders. Do you think this would work?

The computer is a Dell Dimension with an Intel processor.

Could I create a new partition and install a fresh copy of XP on that
partition and boot from it?

Thanks,
Chad

 

[Malke]

So implicit in your answer is that choosing the "install fresh copy"
option will delete user data (My Docs, etc)? It's not going to do an
entire format is it?

A repair install should not destroy your data, but there are no
guarantees in computing. However, I thought you said the repair install
didn't work. If you care about your data, the smart thing is to back it
up first in case something Goes Wrong. A clean install does wipe the
hard drive because you delete partitions and format the new ones.

I was thinking that I could just rename the "Document and Settings"
folder (so it wouldn't get written over), but haven't found a way to
do that, since the only way to boot is in Recovery Consel which only
gives you write access to windows folders. Do you think this would
work?

Not if you have to do a clean install - see above.

The computer is a Dell Dimension with an Intel processor.

Do you know if you have a Prescott? If so, here's a link:

Installation of Service Pack 2 on PCs with Prescott, Celeron D and
Extreme Edition CPUs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=555185

Could I create a new partition and install a fresh copy of XP on that
partition and boot from it?

If you create a new partition in the already partitioned space from the
XP installer, you will wipe all the data that is already there. The
Windows partitioner is destructive. In order to create a partition
without damaging what is already there you would have to have a
third-party program like BootIT NG or Partition Magic.

You can try a parallel install, where you install Windows to a new
folder on the same partition. Here's a link:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

I'm going to say it again, though - if your data is important to you,
take steps to get it now in case you have to do a format/install. If
this is all too much, then take the machine to a good local repair shop
(not a CompUSA or BestBuy type of store) and have them rescue your data
and fix Windows.

Good luck,

Malke