Wont start even in safe mode

[namaste]

I had a hijacked browser and everything locked up so i tried to shut down but it was just locked up. I turned off and when it restarted it had a blue screen saying it couldnt start. I restarted again in safe mode, but it keeps taking me back to the page where you can choose which way to start in safe mode. I tried last good configuration and it still brings me back to that screen. Is there any hope or do i have to do a reinstall of windows?

[MikeTaylor]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449


At the command prompt, type

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

 and then press ENTER.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Disable Auto Restart.  From the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the up/down arrow keys to select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and hit Enter.

This item became available with the release of Service Pack 2.  It is not on the Windows Advanced Options menu of Service Pack 1.

2.  Blue Screen of Death.  Hopefully the machine will stop on a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).  Record and post back with the "exact" error message text and/or numbers plus any offending software module it might name.

3.  Windows Advanced Options Menu.  Use the F8 function key during system startup to access the Windows Advanced Options menu.  Tap the F8 key once or twice per second as you startup the computer (or immediately after POST completes and screen flashes black prior to displaying Windows XP logo with its processing bar display).

4.  Resources.  What recovery resources do you have:
     a.  Vendor supplied recovery/restore partition on bootable hard drive
     b.  Vendor supplied recovery/restore CDs (or user made)
     c.  OEM Windows XP Install CD
     d.  Retail Windows XP Install CD

[namaste]

Thank you all so much. How do i get to the command prompt when i cant get into windows? I dont have any of those resources. I do see the blue screen but it flashes by so quickly i cant read it. Thanks again.

[Allan]

Thank you all so much. How do i get to the command prompt when i cant get into windows? I dont have any of those resources.

Boot to the XP CD and choose the first REPAIR option which will take you to the Recovery Console (a command prompt)


 I do see the blue screen but it flashes by so quickly i cant read it. Thanks again.

When the system first boots tap F8 and when you get to the boot option screen choose "disable reboot on error" (or something similar, not sure of the exact wording)

[namaste]

Thank you all for trying, my cd drive is broken and i tried a couple of those options but still couldnt get the blue sod to show for more than a half second. This computer is 5 years old and i think it is time to send it to the computer graveyard. I just dont know how much it is going to cost me to pay someone to get all the content off. In the meantime i have my eye on a netbook.  I am on my phone and when i can log in on a computer i will give you all thanks.

[dahlarbear]

What is the make and model name/number of the computer?

Did you buy it new or receive it as a hand me down (gift) from someone else?

There's almost always a way to fix something...

[namaste]

It is a hand me down from my exhusband, his dad built it. How do i find the make and model?

[dahlarbear]

If it's a brand name; e.g. Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway; you'd look on the back of the computer case for a "plate" containing things like:  model number, product number, serial number.

If it's a custom built computer, you'd get the make and model number of the motherboard; which I think we should skip for now.  You'd have to open up the case and start removing components.  Even then, it's hard to get a match.

[dahlarbear]

Disable Auto Restart.  Tap the F8 key once or twice per second as you startup the computer (or immediately after POST completes and screen flashes black prior to displaying Windows XP logo with its processing bar display).

The Windows Advanced Options menu should appear.  Use the up/down arrow keys to select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and hit Enter.

Hopefully the machine will stop on a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).  Record and post back with the "exact" error message text and/or numbers plus any offending software module it might name.

If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, please let us know what does appear or happen.