xp won't start up

[Guest]

just yesterday, i tried to turn on windows and it went to a screen before the
windows xp screen (in summary) 'Windows cannot start up because of a resent
software or hardware change. another problem could be that windows
experianced a power failure during start up'. that is what it basically said,
and it gave me a couple options:

safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt
revert to last working settings
run windows normally
(these aren't the exact words, but again, in summary)

the computer wont start up normally but works fine in safe mode. except all
my user settings cannot be changed, and most of my hardware is disabled (ie
speakers). i defragmented the hard drive- no sucess, i reverted to the last
working setting- no sucess (wouldn't start up) i tried to do error checking-
froze in phase 4, i did a virus scan, spyware scan and pest scan- nothing
found except an infected file which i deleated, i backed up anything
important that i have on a cd key, and put it on my other comp just incase i
have to reformat my hard disk.

can somebody help me fix this problem? i have a dell dimension 8400, if it
matters, (pentium 4, 3.0ghz processor, 512mb of ram). i really do not want to
waste time calling dell and going through 10 support staff to fix the
problem, and then find out i have to reformat. thanks!

 

[sandy58]

Go Start>All programs>Accessories>System tools>System Restore.....and
restore to an earlier date (usually darker than the other dates) This
will put you back to an earlier working date. All else fails,
re-install Win XP and "repair" when asked and XP will do the rest.
Good luck

 

[Guest]

i tryed the system restore, but it didn't work

then i tryed just simply running XP of the cd: worked perfectly , so it must
have been an error with the actual os. so then i try running it normally
again (with out the disk) and it works perfectly! i didn't even reinstal
anything with the disk,0 so it probably fixed any problems at start up.

but thanks anyways

 

[Guest]

Hi Daniel,
In the safe mode go to the Event Viewer and write down what
programs/Applications,Hardware caused the problem,if it is power failure may
be something fried in the Motherboard,Scan for Viruses and Adwares by most
Updated Scanners and Anti-virus tools,and reset your Cards in the
processor/PC Case in their Slots make sure cables are attached firmly in
appropriate way, Reboot and see.
If n't ,Go to in the Run Command,type in the Run Box, msconfig press enter
and configure StartUp in the Boot.ini start with Basic Devices for Windows.
Hope this Helps
Good luck and please write back to the Group
nass