Windows XP will not boot

Yesterday my computer was working fine and I used the program system mechanic 6 for the first time and restarted, after that i shut down my PC and the next day windows would not boot. I get to the compaq splash screen with BIOS and boot options, then a screen that asks me if I want to boot win XP or the recovery console(this is normal) but regardless of what I select the system just reboots without any attemp of booting windows. This happens with everything, safe mode, safe mode command prompt, Widnows system restore. almost everything i have tried. since my PC is a compaq it has a built in recovery partition and I have a recovery CD, the non destructive restore does not work, my computer just restarts. I talked with Hp tech support for over an hour and they said tehy are sending me windows XP in a CD package, but this will mean refformatting and I have 60gb of important data, pictures, games etc. Hp told me something corrupted my windows registry AND my recover partition. I suspect system mechanic 6 destroyed something important, I got it from downlaod.com wich I know is a safe website, below are my specs.

CompaQ SR1630NX
Windows XP home edition SP2
1gb pc3200 RAM
eVGA 6600gt 128mb(pci-e)
Seagate 7200.7 200gb(ide)
ASUS mobo(amberine M?)
Athlon 64 3500+

 

What about Last known good configuration?

 

tried last known good config, and my temps were in the mid 30s(C) so it isn;t an overheating problem.

 

Did it restart ok after you used system mechanic 6?

If so, unhook everything and try it.

Steve

 

Hmm yeah I say just wait for the XP CD to arrive and do a repair install then backup what files and stuff you had an reformat, cause obviously something nasty got on the computer.

 

yes I did, and the Hp guy had me unplug the computer and hold in the power button for a minute.

 

So I should be able to repair windows without reformatting? the indian tech support guy never said that, he said I would have to reformat.

 

Yeah of course you can repair, problem though is everything pre-loaded that comes on the software is installed also.

Bu tnow that you mention it...You have a 300W PSU powering that rig...might be an issue.

 

welll, yeah, the voltages seemed stable, it came with teh compaq. I know it is underpowered.I was monitoring it with everest and I get 12.06-12.13 over the 12v rail, usually it stays at 12.13, it was really hot yesterday, I heard teh fans power up to 100% and tehy don't usually do that. somethign called 'AUX" was up to 68C yesterday when I was running some spyware scans and stuff, putting load on the CPU. I think AUX is a chipset on my mobo.

 

yeah. i guess. I have tried recovering form my partition, using the recovery CD, but that just made my system reboot, it made no attempt at repairing windows.

 

No no, recovery CD will only re-install windows and some do a recovery console, Windows CD is different.

 

ok, thanmks I will try that when I get the CD.

 

Here are instructions for future reference on how to do a XP Repair Install:

XP Repair install

Please read carefully and make sure you followed the warning links before initiating the Repair Install. You can print a text version for reference. repair.txt

1. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.
2. When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. <- Use this option

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

3. Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.

To setup Windows XP now and Repair Install , press ENTER. do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you Do Not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".
4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.
5. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair. If Repair is not one of the options, END setup.
6. Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.

 

My first post ever - anywhere ; so please forgive errors in protocol/manners etc.
I have tried to follow DarkCypher's advice regarding repair to WinXP Home installation. To no avail. My system will only boot from recovery floppys then prompt for CD. At this point all goes according to advice below until I am asked to choose to format or to leave the existing files system. I choose not to format. I then get this message:

'The following value in the .SIF file used by Setup is corrupted or missing:

Value 0 in the section [SourceDisksFiles] with key "SP2.cab"

Setup cannot continue. To quit please press F3.'

And... that's all folks! Can I progress without losing all my files?

 

Hello Somean, Welcome to Major Geeks.

Use the start new thread to - guess what - start you own thread as your problem is probably different.

The most likely cause of your difficulty is a dirty Windows CD, probably not used since......... A good clean might help.

Anyway post a new thread an let us know if this fixes it or you need further help. Also add some details of your pc - Xp home or Pro How much memory and does the BIOS report this amount on first boot. If necessary enter the BIOS Tap F2 or Del as you power on and read the amount. Also check if the hard drive is listed.

Studio T