Windows will only work in safe mode after bad shutdown

[fluffysue]

I am hoping someone here can help me with this...

A couple of days ago, I attempted to install an expansion pack for Sims2. It advised me to back up my game files, so I tried to, but I tried to put them in a zip file on a cd, came back an hour later and it was still copying.  I assumed it must be stuck, cancelled out of it, and just tucked the zip file away on the hard drive instead.  I then tried to proceed with the installation, and opened a web browser so I could read email while waiting. After a couple of minutes nothing was happening, and I shut off the computer.

Now, when Windows starts, I will get the XP logo followed by a blank screen.  The hard drive stops shortly after the blank screen appears. I turn the power off, turn it back on, then I will get the list of options for starting the computer.  The only options that work are the safe mode options.  I get nothing from starting normally or using the last good configuration.  Using safe mode, I have attempted to system restore to an earlier point, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can fix this? I tried the Microsoft support page but it was useless. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[patio]

Boot into safemode....go to Start/Run and type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

Have your Windows XP CD handy as it will ask for it.

[fluffysue]

Hmm I tried that but whatever happened ran in a little window very fast and then shut. It never asked me for a disk...

[Spero-T]

Have you tried installing windows ?

[patio]

Have you tried installing windows ?

This is not advice...this is grasping at straws.

fluffysue the next thing i would try on that machine would be to again boot into safemode and check the disk for errors...
Start/Run chkdsk /r and hit Enter...let it run to completion.

[Spero-T]

And yet again Patio.........

The computer starts in safe mode so yet again this is a software issue ..... So reinstalling windows... would this not help

I am JUST tyring to help......

[patio]

And yet again Patio.........

The computer starts in safe mode so yet again this is a software issue ..... So reinstalling windows... would this not help

I am JUST tyring to help......

I'm not going to reply to this twice...

[programming_pat]

could it be corrupted files?

[fluffysue]

I'll let you guys fight it out, but thanks for the ideas. 
I tried running scandisk, it really did seem like a harmless enough thing to do, and now it doesn't work even in safe mode, just hangs on a DOS-like screen while loading.  I am going to have to take it somewhere to get fixed since I can't even access anything, 5 years worth of stuff apparently gone (but I know it's there!) 

[mektek]

For all others reading this post it is an advert for backing up a copy of your work.

Back up to CD, DVD, Another computer but backup regularly then you will not lose 5 years of work when your computer breaks down. And they all will eventually! Nothing lasts forever.

[patio]

Before you take it to a shop and they just re-install XP for you and wipe your data there is another option...
If you know someone who has a working XP system and they have some basic computer skills you can have them remove your drive and hook it up in a working machine as a slave drive...
Provided the drive itself has not failed you should not only be able to see all your data but copy/burn it to a CD/DVD...
You won't have this option after you give it to a shop as they usually just wipe the hard drive and restore the machine back to Day One status...

It's definitely worth a try at least.

And if you do successfully retrieve your data you can just wipe the drive yourself and re-install XP and the drivers and programs you need without paying someone to do it...

Post back on what you decide to do and we can assist further...

[spiderlucci]

patio is right  about what he is saying and I do believe you have a windows issue going on here.... I would have told you to do a repair install but, sometimes even a repair ... you could lose your data... at least you'll have time to back it up Just incase!

  spider