HELP : WinXP Can't Bootup

het SG

Hi, I am wondering if anyone ever encountered a similar problem using WinXP whereby this message keeps appearing at the startup "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your file and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous start-up attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren’t sure what caused the problem choose start windows normally.

SAFE MODE
SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING
SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT
LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION
SART WINDOWS NORMALLY.
"

When this message appears, I am actually given a feel options to select (ie.start windows normally, in safe mode, in safe mode with command prompt, start using last known good configuration, etc). However, no matter which option I choose, my PC automatically reboots (ie.never gets to the Windows mode) and reloads a screen with the "We apologize..." message, effectively starting an infinite loop.

At http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=nph00236&dlc=en , HP provides a step-by-step guide to get rid of this problem, but it doesn't seem to work on my system regardless of what I do. Effectively, I currently have two options - I either need to re-install WindowsXP and format my hard disk with no chance of backing up any files (not ideal, as there are some documents I need to access) or I basically stick with this problem.

I am not sure what has caused this problem as from my readings online, this problem should only be caused by installation of a new hardware (I have not installed any recently). More importantly, despite being unable to load windows, I am also unable to perform any system recovery following the instructions at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07145 .

Can someone help and take a look at those two links and see if there is a way to troubleshoot this problem? Thanks.

PS : I use a HP 5700 desktop...

ndmmxiaomayi SG

When given those options, did you choose? If you did, are you able to boot up the computer?

het SG

When given those options, did you choose? If you did, are you able to boot up the computer?

It doesn't matter which option I choose - I'd just be taken back to the very same screen with the message in red after choosing.

As a matter of fact, I've tried choosing all the options possible. It just takes me back to the screen with the message in red - effectively an infinite loop I can't exit.

In short, I never got to see Windows loading. Any remedies?

SpeedStar SG

if still unable to boot up in safe mode, usually is hardware issue. It can be a hard disk, motherboard or a graphic card problem. Since u are using desktop, try turn off power and remove all the extra card beside graphics card on ur pc. Check whether ur graphic card is insert correctly or not. It will be best if u have spare graphic card, so as to isolate the problem. Hope this helps

het SG

I kinda suspect it's a hardware issue too. However, I narrowed the faulty components to either being the RAM or the HDD.

For a few months previously, I'd been consistently getting error messages that say my "virtual memory is too low". While nothing catastrophic has emerged from this, I tried debugging the problem by tearing my CPU apart and replacing the existing RAM with one from another desktop of mine. Even after replacing the RAM, the same problem persists (I also tried moving my RAM to one of the other free slots with no improvement).

Hence, I think the problem is with my HDD. For the record, I'd also tried booting up with nothing but just my keyboard and monitor cables connected to my CPU - even then, I still can't get windows to load. Hence, unplugging component by component to diagnose this problem is out given my circumstances.

het SG

My main concern now is I need access to some stuff from my HDD, so formatting the HDD and reinstalling WinXP is not an option just yet.

Any chance someone might know of some technical experts you could recommend to fix this problem? Also, what's the market rate for fixing such problems? Thanks.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Possibly able to recover data before you format it off.

Try booting up to a live CD (Linux is the best). You should be able to access your data via Linux. From there, back up all your stuffs.

I'm curious though. When did you notice this problem? Can you recall what you did before this happened?

het SG

Possibly able to recover data before you format it off.

Try booting up to a live CD (Linux is the best). You should be able to access your data via Linux. From there, back up all your stuffs.

I'm curious though. When did you notice this problem? Can you recall what you did before this happened?

I did nothing different. I logged off last night, things were fine. When I tried booting up this morning, the darn error started infesting my CPU.

How should I go about booting up using a live CD? I don't have a rewritable CD-RW and given the pathetic condition my faulty PC is in, I can't download from that terminal either. So what do you suggest?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Do you have another computer?

het SG

I do. I'm using the other PC to type my posts.

What I'm trying to say is, even for my other PC (which is incidentally older than the malfunctioning one), I don't have a CD-RW. Hence, how should I go about burning a live CD?

And do enlighten me on the part about using linux to backup - I'm not familiar with the OS. Thanks.

SpeedStar SG

connect ur hdd to the current pc, but if u r using IDE hdd make sure u connect it as a secondary drive. From there u should be able to get back ur files...providing ur hdd is working.

For those who fear their data will get wiped out when hdd crashed, i suggest they can use acronis to back up before it happen. Its simple and easy. Even if ur hdd crash, u still can retrieve ur data in the new hard disk. Hope this helps

Noypi SG

Try to restore to the previous checkpoint if you havent already done so. Problems like this are often caused by new hardware or software, where drivers etc conflict with what was already on your system.

Failing that, you can buy a cable from a computer store (not sure of the price here in Sg but in HK they are about S$5 or less incl power supply) to connect your disk via USB to your other computer. Then you should be able to retrieve your files. Of course you need to be confident that you can unplug your HDD and successfully hook this up!

The only other problem i have had of this nature is when a boot sector got corrupted, but i dont think you would get this far in the boot stage if that was the case.

Always keep your essential files backed up. You can buy 512Gb USB drives quite cheaply now and they are great alternatives for backing up those large music/video files. You can keep one online and one as backup. Always ensure to properly disconnect a USB drive (via the Safely Remove Hardware system tray icon) if you are not first going to turn the machine off.

Post back with more details if you still have problems

Noypi

youyayu SG

It doesn't matter which option I choose - I'd just be taken back to the very same screen with the message in red after choosing.

As a matter of fact, I've tried choosing all the options possible. It just takes me back to the screen with the message in red - effectively an infinite loop I can't exit.

In short, I never got to see Windows loading. Any remedies?

same problem.. but i just change pc.. .

ndmmxiaomayi SG

I do. I'm using the other PC to type my posts.

What I'm trying to say is, even for my other PC (which is incidentally older than the malfunctioning one), I don't have a CD-RW. Hence, how should I go about burning a live CD?

And do enlighten me on the part about using linux to backup - I'm not familiar with the OS. Thanks.

Errm... how old is the malfunctioning PC? Do you have a large enough USB drive? We can boot up via USB drives.

http://www.puppylinux.com/flash-puppy.htm

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2006/03/25/puppy-linux-on-usb/

Edit: We're not going to back up on Linux.... data will be lost once you shut down. Rather, it's through Linux that we'll attempt to try to back up data.

het SG

The only other problem i have had of this nature is when a boot sector got corrupted, but i dont think you would get this far in the boot stage if that was the case.

Post back with more details if you still have problems

Noypi

I think it's the boot sector problem now. Got a tech guy to come and take a look, when he ran CHKDSK, the darn system ran haphazardly (ie. from 40% --> 55%, then dropped back to 42%) triggering the loop of sorts.

He's since taken my CPU back to perform data recovery and get my windows sorted. How did you fix your problem when (assuming you experienced this before) it was down to the boot sector getting corrupted?

het SG

Thanks for the replies, folks!

Let's hope I get my files recovered and the system back in working condition!