Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: Magneto on May 22, 2009, 10:56:18 AM

Title: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: Magneto on May 22, 2009, 10:56:18 AM

An odd problem for ComputerHopers.

My XP Pro computer won't boot. It hangs after the black Windows boot up screen - just before the cursor would normally appear. The screen goes black, and stays black.

But! If I turn the machine off and reboot, I get the traditional screen saying "Windows wasn't shut down correctly". If I choose to boot as "Start Windows normally" the machine starts up just fine.

This means, oddly, that turning the machine off via the shut down function in Windows prevents me from subsequently booting up successfully. Instead, I have to cut the power in order to get to the "Windows wasn't shut down correctly" screen.

So, here is my question: what does the "Start Windows Normally" do different to actually starting Windows, er, normally. Something is different, or I wouldn't be able to boot through it.

My setup: XP Pro, 4gig ram, Nvidia Geforce 9500GT, Asus P5QL motherboard. Clean install, I am sure nothing is wrong with Windows etc.  As I said, once I boot using the "Start Windows normally" choice the machine starts up, and works, 100 per cent fine.

Any help massively appreciated!

Title: Re: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: patio on May 22, 2009, 12:43:39 PM

Sounds like one or more boot files have somehow gotten corrupted.
Boot to the XP CD and at the first screen press "R" to enter the Recovery Console.
This will load an unfamiliar looking DOS mode looking screen...don't panic.
Wait til it loads completely and at the command prompt type in fixboot and hit Enter...
Remove the XP CD and re-boot.
Report back with your results...

Title: Re: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: Magneto on May 22, 2009, 03:24:58 PM

I performed the fixboot. No improvement. It still hangs following the black windows loading screen.

The odd thing is that when I forceably shut the PC down, it boots just fine following the screen which declares "We apologize for the inconvenience but Windows did not start successfully.." and I chose "Start Windows Normally".

Why would this route work, and the normal boot sequence, following an approved shutdown, not work?

It really is baffling (to my frustrated brain, anyway!).

Huge thanks for the idea. Any more suggestions?

Title: Re: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: ThunderSoul on May 22, 2009, 06:07:02 PM

Keep in mind that this is a Microsoft product.

Title: Re: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: Helpmeh on May 22, 2009, 06:08:34 PM

Quote from: ThunderSoul on May 22, 2009, 06:07:02 PM

Keep in mind that this is a Microsoft product.

That's not exactly helpfull.

Title: Re: Can't boot XP normally, only after "start windows normally screen"
Post by: Broni on May 22, 2009, 08:05:02 PM

Go Start>Run (Start Search in Vista), type in:
msconfig
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).

Click on Startup tab.
Click Disable all

Click Services tab.
Put checkmark in Hide all Microsoft services
Click Disable all.

Click OK.
Restart computer in Normal Mode.

NOTE. If you use different firewall, than Windows firewall, turn Windows firewall on, just for this test, since your regular firewall won't be running.
If you use Windows firewall, you're fine.

Same problem?