XP Pro Help

[amerifax]

I am not sure what happened but... one of my computer seems to be stuck in dos. The computer starts up and stops at the Safe Mode options list. I have tried each and everyone and I get the same results. The computer proceeds to the Windows splash screen (at the furthest) and then restarts and returns to the safe mode prompt. I have cleared the CMOS and replaced the battery in the computer. This came on with no ryme or reason. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Heather

[G]

Use the Last Known Good Configuration.

This should work as long as you have not logged on successfully.

If this does not work I have another solution.

A bit of info from my glossary:

Last Known Good Configuration (LKGC) is one of three Windows boot-problem recovery modes, the other two are the Recovery Console (RC) and Safe Mode (SM). Whether the current hardware settings, instability and startup problems prevent the computer from starting, the LKGC can allow the computer to be started and the configuration to be examined by reversing the most recent system and driver changes within a hardware profile. When the LKGC is used, restoring previous drivers and registry settings for the subkey HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet looses all configuration changes that were made since the last successful logon. After a user logs on successfully, Windows updates the LKGC information to reflect the current configuration state. Pressing the F8 function key during the boot process (after the firmware POST process completes but before the Windows NT family operating system displays the graphical output) will give the user the Windows Advanced Option menu. From here the user can use the LKGC, which uses the last known good control set saved by the SCM, rolling back the system’s registry configuration back to a successful booting state.


Logging on to the computer in Safe Mode does not update the Last Known Good control set, so the LKGC remains an option even if SM is attempted first.
Note: Do not complete a normal logon if problems have been encountered, as logging on causes the LKGC control set to be overwritten. Instead, restart the computer and use the LKGC or SM unless it fails too.

[Midknyte]

start with a hardware diag. run memtest+ and seatools. if those pass, then try a repair install of windows.

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[amerifax]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have tried the Last Good Config and Safe Mode to no avail. I will try the Hardware Diag but I did just see that after the Windows Splash Screen I am getting a Stop Error (the blue screen of death) but it comes and goes so fast I can barely notice that its there?

I am thinking I am going to need to do a repair. If I can sucessfully do the repair will it leave everything else in place or does it wipe out the C drive like a reinstall?

Heather

[Midknyte]

a repair install should leave your data intact. please follow the directions carefully.

[amerifax]

When I booted from the XP Pro CD I do not see an option anywhere for doing a Repair, did I just miss it, or is that not where I do it from?

[Sterling_Aug]

Yes it is on the XP CD. You need to press enter to install Windows, then press F8 to accept the EULA, the R to repair a previous Windows installation.

[Midknyte]

start with a hardware diag. run memtest+ and seatools. if those pass, then try a repair install of windows.

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

I already posted a link on how to do a repair.

[amerifax]

That's where I thought it was, but I didn't think I saw it. I will check it out again. Things have been a little hectic. It's not the only computer I am having problems with, just been a long week. Thanks for your help and the links for directions.

Heather