will only open in safe mode!!!

[beastcream]

Hi everyone! I have quite a bit of a problemo with my computer.

I have an HP probook 4510s. It has a vista sticker, but boots up as xp, so I guess it's xp. I have been in the habit of just closing the monitor when I am not using it, but 2 days ago I copied all my files to an external hard-drive and shut down. Now when I restart, the windows loading page loads forever and no keys work so I have to force quit. When I restart again I can only boot into safe mode or safe mode with network.

When the desktop comes up I am shown a runtime error alert about an asghost.exe file. When I shut down says something again about asghost.exe and I have to click end so the computer will shut down.

my friend gave me a win xp pro sp2 disk, so I tried to boot from that, but halfway through set up a blue screen appears and tells me my computer has a virus which needs to be fixed before the disk boot can be completed.

I ran an AVG scan but it did not find any viruses. Now my computer has started to get slow ...

I don't know what to do next!!! I am a total beginner and know nothing about drivers or recovery or anything.

Also, the worst part is my computer has a Japanese OS, which means everything is in Japanese!! I can read a bit so I can navigate all right, but I can't understand any complicated messages.

I have nothing on my computer now, so I don't care if I have to wipe everything and start fresh. Can anyone help!!!!!!!!???!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJ 3000]

Also, the worst part is my computer has a Japanese OS, which means everything is in Japanese!! I can read a bit so I can navigate all right, but I can't understand any complicated messages.

Wow! How did that happen?

I would suggest just wiping it out and starting over. You say that your computer has a vista sticker on it so, do you have a vista disk?

[beastcream]

I'm living in Japan atm and I got the computer here. It makes trying to solve this problem heaps harder!  I don't have a vista disk, just this win xp pro disk sp2 from my friend. But my computer info says that I am running win xp professional, so I thought it would work. Do you think I need a different disk?

I have followed the boot with disk instructions, and everything seems to be going well but before windows can run it tells me I have a virus. It says, 'A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to the computer. -check for viruses -remove any newly installed hard-drives or hard-drive controllers -check hard-drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated -run CHKHSK/F to check for hard-drive corruption then restart.'

I have run ccleaner, spybot and avg and since then my computer became normal speed again, but still only opens in safe mode and won't complete the boot from disk command.

How do I go about checking for hard-drive corruption? Is there another way I can just wipe everything and start afresh? I have no files on this computer so I have nothing to lose ... !

[dahlarbear]

1.  Virus Screen?
     a.  Is this a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a STOP Code display?
     b.  Does it actually say you have a virus or just "check for viruses"?

2.  Verify Operating System.  To identify current operating system:  Start -> right-click My_Computer -> Properties -> General tab.
     a.  What does it say the operating system (and service pack level) is in the System subsection?  (Or is it in Japanese?)
     b.  Is there an "OEM" string in the "Product ID" of the "Registered to" subsection (second subsection)?
 
3.  Product Key(s).
     a.  Does anyone know if product keys are compatible across "language editions" of Windows XP?
     b.  Do you know the "Product Key" of your current Windows XP installation?
     c.  Do you have a legitimate "Product Key" that's compatible with that Windows XP Pro SP2 CD?

4.  Restore/Recovery Partition.
     a.  Do you know the history of the hard drive?  How Windows XP got there?
     b.  Is the original Vista restore/recovery partition (possibly "hidden") still on the hard drive?

5. Reference.
     a.  Maintenance and Service Guide

[beastcream]

Hi, thanks 4 yr reply!

well, uh oh, it sounds like I've got a blue screen of death. It has a stop code
STOP: 0x0000007B (0xxf78d2524, 0x0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
However, it only says that a problem has been detected, and to check for viruses - it doesn't actually say I have one.

My operating system is ...
Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

There is an OEM string ... ----------------------------

There is a product key on the sticker under my computer. It reads ...
=========================================

There is also a sticker that says ...
Probook 4510s
s/n CNU9235JVY
p/n ZY495AV

The Windows XP Pro SP2 CD was copied from an American friend's computer a couple of years back - I'm not sure if it is compatible, but it seemed okay until the BSOD. My own recovery disk has gone awol.

As for the history of the hard-drive, my computer was bought new about 8 months ago and everything was set up. The only thing I've done is add and use programs.

How do I find the restore/recovery partition?

Thanks for the Maintenance and Service Guide link. I will check it out now!

Product Key removed...

[Allan]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

[beastcream]

Thanks for the link! I've decided I might have a boot-sector virus so I will have to partition and format my hard-disk and reinstall Windows. It looks pretty complicated though, I think I need to find a recovery for dummies book!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all your help ... 

[patio]

I highly doubt it's a boot-sector virus...but Best of Luck on the rebuild...

[beastcream]

Really? I have no idea. Maybe a device driver is corrupted ... I wish it was in English! I think I'm gonna have to kiss good-bye to a few hard-earned dollars this week, ah well, c'est la vie! 

[Allan]

Boot sector viruses are EXTREMELY rare.

[dahlarbear]

1. You have many options.  Each have "different" challenges you must overcome.  Some involve money, others time and patience...

General options available:
     a.  Fix current installation of Windows XP.
     b.  Install Vista from restore/recovery partition.
     c.  Install Windows XP from borrowed CD; either "repair" or "new" installation (and deal with incompatible Product_Key issues).
     d.  Contact HP for Windows XP recovery or installation media (with legitimate Product_Key).
     e.  Contact HP for Windows Vista recovery or installation media (with legitimate Product_Key).

2.  Attempt to fix current installation of Windows XP (Japanese Language Edition?).
          (1)  Last known good configuration.  Boot this "selection" from Windows Advanced Options menu at system startup (tap <F8> key once or twice per second as system starts).

          (2)  Check Disk.  Use "chkdsk" to verify and correct file system integrity.  You may optionally request it to check for and attempt to recover and move data located on "bad" disk sectors. 

You may run or schedule "chkdsk" from Normal, Safe Mode, or Recovery Console from CD boot.
                (a)  Normal/Safe_Mode Syntax.  From command prompt enter "chkdsk <drive_letter:> /f /r" where you replace "<drive_letter:>" with the designation for logical volume you wish to check.  Normally your system/boot volume would be "c:".
                (b)  Recovery Console Syntax.  From command prompt enter "chkdsk /p /r".

          (3)  System File Checker.  From command prompt enter "sfc /scannow" to restore missing or corrupt system files.  It will probably ask you to insert your Windows XP CD.

3.  Reference(s):
     a.  Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users
     b.  Recovery Console Commands - Chkdsk
     c.  Microsoft Windows XP - Chkdsk
     d.  System File Checker How To's, How to run it with and without a Windows CD
     e.  Scannow SFC - by Marc Liron

[dahlarbear]

Chkdsk was not designed to be interrupted - so don't.  Let it run to completion.  If you use the "/r" option, it can take a long time (hours) depending upon how many problems it finds and tries to correct.  If it appears "hung", leave it be...  Never abort it unless you have no choice.

It is best to invoke "chkdsk" using Recovery Console from Windows XP CD boot.  You'll need the "password" for the Administrator account.  If you don't know it, just hit <Enter>; perhaps none was entered.

[JJ 3000]

I would suggest just wiping it out and starting over

Linux is free

[beastcream]

Okay, I wiped everything, and I am gonna try running a Linux OS. I saw a Hannah Montanna one; I think it may be scary enough to work ...

[dahlarbear]

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Boys, keep off the moors. Stick to the roads, and the best of luck.

From American Werewolf In London Script - Dialogue Transcript:

(thunder)

- Shall we go, Jack?
- Apparently so.
                   
- You can't let them go.
- How much do we owe you?
                   
Nothing, lads.
                   
Go. God be with you.
                   
Thank you.
                   
Wait! You just can't let them go.
       
Go. Stay on the road.
                   
Keep clear of the moors.
                   
Thank you.
                   
Beware the moon, lads.
     
Yeah.
                   
- What the *censored* was that all about?
- I don't know.
                   
Let's go up the road and see if there's an inn or somethin'.
                   
- "Beware the moon"?
- Yeah, Jack, but come on. I'm freezing.
                   
- Where the *censored* are we going?
- Away from The Slaughtered Lamb.
       
Where to now, Kessler?
The Duck's Breath?
                   
Look, I'm sorry.  I'm sure we'll find something else.
    
                  
It was, man.  But, boy, they could play darts.

You can't let them go.
                   
Should the world know our business?
                   
- It's murder, then!
- Then murder it is.
                   
It's in God's hands now.
                   
(thunder)