HELP! Cannot Start Computer At All!

Hello,

I am having major issues with starting up my laptop. It is a Dell Inspiron 6000 running Windows XP and just recently had an automatic windows update (other than that, nothing has been downloaded recently).

When I try starting up the computer, it gives me a blue screen of death when the windows logon page is supposed to load. The BSOD gives me the error code STOP: C000021a, and that a "fatal error has occured". It also gives this code: 0xC000012f.

I have tried booting in safe mode, but no success. Have also tried booting from the last known good configuration, but also with no success. Any suggestions on how I can resolve this problem??? Is it possible to resolve this issue without losing data on my harddrive?? I'm hoping it's not serious enough to require a reformat .

Thanks in advance!

 

Can you get into "safe mode with command prompt".

 

Nope, can't start the computer using safe mode command prompt either - it ultimately brings me to the same BSOD..

 

Do you have an XP installation disk?

 

I have the Windows re-installation CD that I ordered along with my laptop. Will I lose any files saved on my computer if I run a reinstallation?

 

You don't want to do a re-installation. I'm thinking about using Recovery Console. Did your problem start immediately after the update?

 

No, it didn't happen immediately. I think Windows did an update sometime earlier this week (maybe mid-week?). And then yesterday night I was just using the Internet and then out of nowhere, a BSOD flashed for like 2 seconds and then the computer restarted itself.

After the restart, there were 1 or 2 dialog boxes that came up with error messages and I don't think the computer was working properly after that. For instance, it said MSN couldn't start and I tried opening another program from the taskbar and it closed that too. Then I just shut off the computer. This morning when I tried turning it on, it gave me the BSOD upon the Windows start-up.

 

If you can manage to get to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, you will be able to restore it to a date prior to your BSOD event. If that's not possible you could call Dell and explain the issue. If it's still in Warranty it should be Free, and they can access the Hard Drive and save your data (My Documents folder) You'll have to reinstall all your personal software though.

 

I've been looking at this as a possibility but have never used it myself. I could add a few steps to make it reversible. Let me know what you think.

 

snapshooter - Thanks for your suggestions, but unfortuantely I cannot do any of your recommended actions, since 1) I can't access anything on my computer (can't even start up) and 2) My laptop's warranty period is over

sach - I'm debating whether to use those steps on the link you gave me, or whether I should just repair XP using the installation CD (my reference is here: http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm under 'How to Repair Install'?)

I'm currently looking into backing up my files before doing anything else though. I did some research on using a Linux live CD to do this, so I'm currently downloading Ubuntu. Can someone confirm if what I'm doing is right? I'm using this as a reference: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer.

Thanks!

 

I just reread the thread and it could be a hardware problem. Memory or HD. Not being able to open two programs could have to do with HD corruption.

I would definitely back up your data. I downloaded that Ubuntu Live CD and didn't have much luck with it booting my computer. There are other live CDs out there if you have problems with that one.

A repair install sounds ok and that guide looks accurate.

 

I used Ubuntu to successfully access the files that I wanted to recover.

I just did a repair install using the Windows XP CD.. but no luck! When it restarted after the install, I'm getting the same BSOD, with the exception of the last code that it gives me. Any suggestions on what I should do now?

Previous BSOD: STOP: C000021a, and that a "fatal error has occured". It also gives this code: 0xC000012f.

Current BSOD: STOP: C000021a, and that a "fatal error has occured". It also gives this code: 0xC0000135.

 

It might not do any good after a repair install, but have you ran a chkdsk?