F8 doesn't work

[wombat99]

XP gives exception on startup and F8 or DEL have no effect. Thanks, Jeff

[Dusty]

Welcome to the CH forums.

Please read http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,86049.0.html

[Allan]

Please provide more information.

[wombat99]

Well, on startup you see the normal screen listing drives for a second, but even if you have F8 down this comes up:

TRAP 00000006=======EXCEPTION=======
tr=002 cr0=00000011 cr2=00000000 cr3=00039000
gdt limit=03FF base=0003F000 idt limit=07FF base=0003F400
cs:eip=0008:0040737F SS:esp=0010:0005F95C errcode=0000
flags=00010086 NoCy NoZr IntDis Down TrapDis
eax=0008000 ebx=00008000 exc=00000000 edx=00480001 ds=0010 es=0010
edi=88587588 esi=00488000 ebp=0005F978 cr0=80000011 fs=0030 gs=0000
 

[Allan]

When did this start?
Did XP ever boot correctly?
What is different since the last time it did boot correctly (new hw, sw, virus, error, etc)?
What type of system?
Have you run a diagnostic on your ram?
Have you recently flashed the bios?
Have you tried booting to the recovery console and running chkdsk /r

[wombat99]

I think it was a virus last night. XP booted fine before that.
chkdsk /r ? Don't you have to use an F key to do that? The F keys don't work. I don't know how to do a RAM diagnostic or flash BIOS, but don't you have to use an F key for them, too?
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it, Jeff

[Allan]

No, you do not need F8 for the recovery console. But more important, did you think you should tell us about the virus?

You need to post in the Virus & Malware section of this forum.

[dahlarbear]

Well, on startup you see the normal screen listing drives for a second, but even if you have F8 down this comes up:

TRAP 00000006=======EXCEPTION=======

That's a new one for me.  I'm not sure whether it's failing in the BIOS code or further along in the boot process (hard drive boot?).

So... What's the <DEL> key supposed to do?  Enter CMOS setup?  Are you saying, the computer won't enter CMOS setup (to view/modify system BIOS parameters)?

If known, what is the current boot device order in the BIOS?

[Salmon Trout]

That's a new one for me. 

Could be a corrupted drive or failing hard drive or hdd controller.

This may be relevant. Should apply to WinXP as well.

"Trap 00000006 Exception" Error Message When You Start Windows 2000


[...]

This issue may be caused by a damaged NTLDR file.

To resolve this issue, replace the NTLDR file by using the Windows Recovery Console

Start the Recovery Console, type fixboot at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

How to run the Recovery Console from your Windows XP installation disk:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxprcons.html

[dahlarbear]

I'd like to see if they can successfully boot from floppy, CD, or USB drive (thus bypassing hard drive boot code), but obviously they need some way to specify boot device or boot device order.

It would also be a good opportunity to boot and run a memory diagnostic program:  http://www.memtest86.com/ or http://www.memtest.org/.

[dahlarbear]

Okay...  Original Poster (OP) took Allan's advice and posted to "Computer viruses and spyware" section of the forum after "reply#6".  So I guess we should "give this thread a rest".

See:  http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,96333.0.html