Windows XP

Finally got my computer working again.

Next problem..... Windows XP doesn't want to boot properly. It seems to be caught in some kind of loop. I get the POST screen, loading progresses, then it says one or more of my disks need to be checked. ~~~~ After that, it hangs for a few minutes then flashes some kind of report that says Windows has encountered a problem and needs to restart. Before I can read what that problem is, it reboots.....

If I catch the right screen, I can choose to start with last known good configuration and it runs fine then except that my video settings aren't right.

One of my user accounts has disappeared. I can't find IncrediMail on my list of programs. And their are probably other things missing that I haven't noticed.

I tried to boot from the CD and run the repair console but it keeps asking for an administrator password. I never set it up with a password when I installed XP. How do I get around that?

Should I just reinstall XP? I really don't want to do that because all my programs are on that drive and having to reinstall and set them back up is a pain in the butt.

I think I will take a Lortab and head to bed. One more night to get through then I have my weekend. Plus hubby thinks the altenator on his car is going out on him. Just what I needed right now...all these expenses at one time. sheesh...

 

Try a scan first then a repair

 

JUJET, Check disk runs every single time it reboots. It has run at least 20 times, always successfully. After that, it hangs and reboots.

SCOUSE, if I leave the password blank and hit enter, it asks again for the password. I can't get past it. After the third time, it says to restart hit enter. No matter what I try, I can't get past the password line. I never set a password up in the first place so I don't understand why it keeps asking for one.

 

bump....

I still can't get Repair Console to run past the request for a password. I do not have one set up on my computer, never did.

Tried admin, tried my favoite password, tried just hitting enter leaving it blank. Can't get past that point. Just restarts after the third time.

I bought XP from newegg.com so M$ won't help me. Newegg won't help me. I'm stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place.

Can't use the M$ newsgroup to ask a question because I can't get to the send button after I type my question so that it will post.

Used the CD and installed Recovery Console on my drive thinking maybe that would change something but it didn't help one bit.

 

Now, now. If the copy is legit, even if OEM, MS will help you. They just won't give you warranty support and help you for free

 

Incidently, the first thing MS would ask you is to try and get to Recovery Console using the XP boot floppies.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310994

 

Are you up to date on windows updates?

 

Doesn't matter if flessa can't boot.

 

Since you can use "last known good configuration"(LKGC) to boot the WinXP then it seems to be a faulty entry in the registry database. By booting into LKGC you can consider the following:

You could try to do a quick reinstall from your Install-Cd (X) on top of your WinXP and see if it will clear away the problems (You will not loose your applications or activation):

You could try to access Windows Update and check if any fixes have been released to WinXP to solve the problem (There have been some trouble with the builtin registry optimizer in WinXP whih actually ruined the registry database)

You could try to use System Restore to go back to a Restore Point dated before your C:\Windows\System32\Config\System.alt (Though there is a chance it will also restore an invalid LKGC, and stop you from even booting with LKGC)

You can also use the Win2k Recovery Console(Using a Win2k Install CD) to make the LKGC (System.alt) to become the default System registry. (The problem with fixing display settings is probably easier to fix than a faulty booting)

 

Important note.


Registry hives in XP (the ones in use) do not have any file extension.


System
Security
Default
Sam
Software


No extensions.


If LAst Known works, then its part of the controlset in the registry that windows is corrupting. That coule be a driver installing on first boot after running LKG.

Also, installing XP over itself is the same as doing a Repair, it will reset activation, remove updates (windows Updates) and return drivers to default levels.

 

System.alt contains the LKGC, and if wanting LKGC to become the default configuration, then it should be renamed to System

 

No.

Maybe in 2k, but not in XP. There is no system.alt file in XP, unless a third party app or OEM designed it that way when they preinstalled it.

In Xp, you have CurrentControlSet, ControlSet001, Controlset002, and Controlset003. You may have more or less of the Controlsets.

This key determines which controlset is the current one, and what LKG changes:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select

Two XP systems at my desk do not contain System.alt at all. And one of them I just did a LKG on, and still had no file.

 

Thanks for the correction my fault, the System.alt has nothing to do with LKGC but used in WinNT4/Win2k for rollback:

Btw. I found this rather interesting explaination about what System contains in WinXP/Win2k:

*Updated with info of what System.alt actually is, used this post to avoid more confusion*

 

Good information


Is that from the Xp Resource kit? I recognize it from somehwere.

 

Yep it does(You have a good memory), but when I was searching on google this document got the higher ranking:
http://www.virtualos.info/Guides/TroubleshootingStartupinWindowsXP.pdf

But there is this sample chapter available with the same info:
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/sampchap/6795.asp

 

You guys have lost me now. I have no idea what you are talking about. Next time I have to reboot, instead of choosing Last Known Good Configuration, I will choose the option that lets me see just which driver it hangs up on. My mind is blank at the moment on what that option is called but it is supposed to let you go step by step. Then I will copy down which line hangs up and post that here. I think it is mouse drivers but not really sure.

 

That would be Boot Logging, which stores its contents in C:\windows\ntbtlog.txt.

SafeMode shows drivers loading too.

Where will you view it?

Im pretty sure its overwritten each boot.


maybe run LKG, then enable Boot logging, then boot into XP