reformatting HD because stop error wont allow safe mode (question)

Hi,
I've tried getting around the stop error (which many here will probably laugh at), and I can't even get to safe mode.

Is there a link to a faq for reformatting a HD with Windows XP? Will the stop error prevent this too? Or is reformatting a way to salvage a decent computer, even though one may loose all previously saved files on it? I'd just like to know what I'm getting into with reformatting... is it overly complicated/super advanced stuff?

Any advice and direction is considered a heroic rescue... Thanks!

Brant

 

If you copied down the error codes on the stop error, people here could probably help you, but since you have trouble getting into safe mode, I'm not too sure.

Reformatting is pretty intuitive. You just pop the CD in and restart your computer and an install program will guide you through the steps to install XP. Just remember to format the drive instead of just putting XP onto it or else your computer might just mess up again. Here's a guide of how to format your system.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25831

I suggest you take down what it says on the stop error and post it here. Somebody may be able to help you. Try that before reformatting because it's a really big pain to reinstall all of your stuff.

 

The stop error should not affect formatting the drive unless it's being causing by a hardware issue like a bad drive controller, flakey memory, or another faulty piece of hardware. As suggested above, we can probably help you fix the problem if we had the error code and any message or filenames it mentions also. If you really want to format (I recommend everyone do a clean install every 4-6 months), here's some links with step-by-step screen shots...
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (screen shots are on the left side; they're thumbnails that expand when clicked on)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm (and one more just to be thorough)
Good luck
:major

 

Hi,
Sorry about multiple posts... I didnt think my second post posted, but then saw it had after I had posted the second one... was heading out the door and didnt have time to fix it...

Ill post the error code in a minute.

Thanks!

Brant

 

here are the codes

Stop: 0x0000000A (0x95B6ECD6, 0X00000002, 0X00000000, 0X804E844F)

These are the only codes that come up at the bottom of the blue screen. Hopefully, these are what you are asking about. There's not much else except some verbiage about going into safe mode to make changes etc....

Let me know if there's anything else need be posted.

Thanks,
Brant

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314063
http://www.updatexp.com/stop-messages.html (this is a list of all the STOP errors; luckily 0x0000000A is first)
http://www.adviserxp.com/0x0000000A.html
Some of this info is somewhat technical (esp. in the first link) so read through it slowly and carefully, and Google any terms you may not understand....
...or post here, and we'll try to help a bit more

 

Thanks for the help. I finally got in, and managed to fix some things. Everythings running pretty well.

I had previously found an infected file and removed it with Adaware. However, apparently, it was imporant enough to be missed. Now, at start up I get a failure notice for this: C:\WINDOWS\system32\atkjcogt.dll.

Did a google on this... etc....

I'm beginning research on how to successfully replace this driver... any tips are great... then I'll leave you all alone....

Thanks much,
B.

 

The fact that you get an error loading this is a GOOD thing! That file is a virus. It was removed by whatever scan you did, but Windows is still set up to try to load the infected file, but it's gone, so the error comes up saying "failed to load....". If you click Start > Run and type msconfig and hit Enter then click the Start Up tab, you'll likely see an entry for that file. Uncheck the box and the error will disappear. Visit the Malware Removal forum and follow the steps in this link http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 to be sure that ALL the malware is gone. Read the steps carefully, and follow them EXACTLY. If problems remain, post in that forum and the expert anti-virus geniuses in that forum will help.

Driver? What driver? if you're referring to the file atkjcogt.dll a Google search for this comes up totally empty. That's because it's a random string of letters generated by a virus to try to avoid detection and part of its mutating abilities. It's not a driver. DO NOT try to re-install it!

 

That is EXACTLY what I thought! I just wasn't sure. Thanks for your time on this! Much appreciated. I'll do what you've laid out.

Thanks again!

Brant