We apologize for the inconvenience but windows did ......

[fullbug]

I will try to write as I'm having a stroke at the moment....
I'm on a Windows Xp Pro SP3 Dell Optiplex GX270 desktop computer and after booting up I get this message-

We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows
Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked) Start Windows Normally

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

Seconds until Windows starts: 30

No matter what choice I make, it goes to the boot up screen for a few seconds, and then goes back to the above screen, so safe mode and whatever does not work....
The only other screen I can get to is the 'F2' startup screen, the one with system time, date, drive configuration, ect....
One the bright side I still have my Windows CD, so that may help me, can someone tell me what I can do now?
If I dont have a nervous breakdown first? 

[Allan]

What is new or different since the last time everything worked properly (ie, new hw, new sw, virus, error, etc)?

[fullbug]

Absolutely nothing, everything was working fine last night, no warning signs whatsoever, and nothing new was installed yesterday, no programs, nothing, I do have Comodo internet security, but it didnt report anything last night.....

[reddevilggg]

Sounds like the boot.ini

1.Boot with XP CD.

2. Press R to load the Recovery Console.

3. Into the command prompt, Type bootcfg.

4. This usually fixes basic issues with boot.ini not showing up to the machine.

[fullbug]

Thanx reddevilggg, will try that and report back....

[Allan]

If the above does not work, try a repair install: Boot to the XP CD and choose the SECOND repair option, allowing XP to install on top of itself. After completion you'll need to go to Windows Update and download & install all updates (except for hardware & driver related updates, which should never be downloaded from Windows Update - only from the OEM websites). Here is a clear tutorial on how to perform a repair install: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

[fullbug]

OK, after selecting the recovery console, it says 'starting windows recovery console' and after half a minute a blue error screen comes up the says-
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage from your computer.
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

This is not looking good is it?

Allan, when I boot the Windows CD there IS no second repair option, just 'Microsoft windows recovery console, and Microsoft Windows XP Pro are my two choices....

[Allan]

1) Regarding the repair install, read the instructions in the link I posted -- HOWEVER.....

2) Are you sure you have an original XP CD and not a repair CD? If so, it sounds like you may have a hd problem. You can go to the website of your hd manufacturer and download their diagnostic utility, burn it to disk, and run it. But I think you're going to need to replace the hd.

[fullbug]

Yes, I'm sure its not a repair CD, I'm looking at the box it came in right now, I guess I will go and try what its says in the link you posted....

[Allan]

If the hd is bad you may very well run into the same error message. If you can't get into the recovery console you should run the diagnostic on your hd before doing anything else.

[fullbug]

Nah, I cannot even do step 3 of what it says it the link, all I can do are the two steps I mentioned above.....
How can I run the diagnostic on my hard drive?
Thanx for the help by the way....

I'm looking at the diagnostic tool here- http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&deviceid=3841&libid=13&releaseid=R76924&vercnt=3&formatcnt=0&SystemID=PLX_PNT_CEL_GX270&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=-1&dateid=-1&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true
Dont see how I could run that without getting into windows, the problem in the first place....

[Allan]

2) ..................You can go to the website of your hd manufacturer and download their diagnostic utility, burn it to disk, and run it. But I think you're going to need to replace the hd.
[/quote]

[fullbug]

No, I couldnt get the computer to read the recovery CD....
Oh well, thanx for all  the help Allan.....

[Allan]

What recovery cd?

[fullbug]

Sorry, I didnt mean recovery CD, just the diagnostic utility I burned to CD.....

[patio]

Sorry, I didnt mean recovery CD, just the diagnostic utility I burned to CD.....

It may not have been burned properly...
Is this supposed to be a bootable CD ? ?
Ansd is it an .iso file ? ?
If so use ImgBurn...and selecy create bootable CD...

[fullbug]

Nah, none of those, it was an 'application manifest' file whatever that is, and was only a few KB's big, I tried burning it as a bootable CD and a data CD, neither worked....

[Allan]

No, you have to burn it as an image. You need to use .iso burning software per patio's post.

[patio]

Nah, none of those, it was an 'application manifest' file whatever that is, and was only a few KB's big, I tried burning it as a bootable CD and a data CD, neither worked....

Have never seen an "applicatioin manifest" file as something to create a bootable diagnostics CD...
And although i've been around awhile i"ll be the 1st to admit i haven"t seen it all...

Best of Luck...

[Computer_Commando]

...I'm on a Windows Xp Pro SP3 Dell Optiplex GX270 desktop computer...

Inside the Dell Utility Partition
Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition