XP Pro problem

Durring the boot up I'm getting an error. XP displays a text page telling about the problem - it doesn't stay on the screen long enough to read - is there a way to hold XP at that point so that the message can be read?

Larry

 

Yes
Press the Pause/Break key on your keyboard

 

That doesn't seem to work - as soon as the error screen comes up - I hit the Pause/Break key - XP just continues - wipes the screen and goes into a re-boot. Is there any thing else I can do to stop XP?

I'm hopeing that the error screen will give me some hint as to the problem with the computer.

Larry

 

You can tell it under 'System', 'Advanced', 'Startup & Recovery' to not Automatically restart on System Failure.

 

Can't quite get there - the problem happens on boot up - the re-start happens before XP has loaded - all I have access to is the BIOS.

Larry

 

Try tapping the F8 key repeatedly during boot up, and that should get you into Safe Mode, then follow brownizs suggestions. If I read your post correctly, you can't or haven't been booting to completion. If the problem doesn't occur in Safe Mode, then it would tend to point to a driver or application that is causing your problem! Hope this helps!

 

Yet another thing to try. During the F8 option, I THINK there is an option to disable auto reboot on BSOD (Blue screen of death). I THINK this is a XP PRO option only.

Also, try using the Last Known Good option.

If this still doesn't work, I believe there is a way to fix this within the recovery mode.

 

Correct - I have not been able to boot to completion. The boot up stops on an error screen - XP then wipes the screen and re-boots.

Trying to boot to Safe Mode is producing the same result as a regular boot - error page - wipe - re-boot.

Larry

 

Couldn't find any option durring the Safe Mode boot. Also just tried the LKG boot up option - same result.

Larry

 

This is probably a lame question, but have you checked to make sure that your keyboard and mouse are plugged in securely? Have you added any hardware to your system recently? The fact that it occurs in Safe Mode also tends to point toward hardware.

 

Not really a lame question - but yes I have checked the mouse and keyboard and went so far as to pull a set off a known working system and am using those. Also thought that it could be a memory problem - so I replaced the system memory with a known good set. No help.

Larry

 

When you pressed F8, to get the menu, was there an option for ADVANCED STARTUP option? If so, then there maybe an option to prevent autoreboot.

Also, have you created an ASR (Automated System Recovery) disk set?

 

Because the system did not start correctly you really don't get to use the F8 option to start in Safe Mode however Safe Mode is part of the start up options that are presented along with regular, sys w/network, sys w/o network, last known good, but no Advanced Startup.

The system belongs to my daughter - she forgot her system passwork - I fixed that problem - tested the system and gave it back to her. Then this thing started after she got it home and hooked up - so I got it back - I don't believe that she has any ASR disks.

I just finished putting another HD w/system in the computer as master and it is working ok. The original HD can be seen by the new master HD. I'm running a surface test right now. At this point it sure looks like a HD problem or something corrupt on the HD.

I'm not very up on XP - does it take a system reload ok? I mean, if I reload the system am I going to lose things?

Larry

 

Basically, I was going by memory. Using the F8 option, I was also thinking that within the options available (besides safe mode), there was an Advanced startup section.

Since this wasn't available for you, I'll need to research on why on a later date:

If the hard drive has bad sectors, then that hard drive will need to be replaced. Once bad sectors start creeping up, it is a good (bad) sign that the hdd is dying.

HDDs do have a running life to them based on continous use.

Does the HDD have a warranty? If so, you could get it replaced.

 

I'm sure that the HD in question is long out of warranty. If the surface test of the HD is ok will I have any problems if I load XP over the existing XP?

And/or can I mirror the existing HD to a new drive and re-load XP over the top of the existing XP?

Larry

 

Reloading XP on top of XP, is typically done via a Repair installation.

A basic 50/50 chane.

Typically, you MAY have to activate with MS with this situation. I've done, what you are doing a few times in the past.

 

Surface scan just finished - looks like about 65k bytes bad - looks like I'll be trying the old mirror to a new and re-load.

Thanks for all the help - really appreciate the time all have spent.

Larry

 

A couple thoughts
I'm suprised the Pause/break key dont work, are you using usb keyboard? try PS2

I would probably for diagnostics, Disconnect the HDD then Power up the PC & boot into BIOS, this way you can see if the other hardware is detected & check all settings.( ya dont need a HDD to post or access BIOS)

Most HDD manufactures have free diagnostic utilities.

 

Didnt see your last post
Looks like ya got handle on things

See Ya! & Good Luck!