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Author Topic: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD  (Read 16787 times)

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typhoeus

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    Hopeful

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    XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
    « on: August 20, 2008, 02:56:21 PM »
    Hi, I am running a Windows XP SP2.  I was trying to install macdrive 7.2.2 (trial) (http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive/)  After the install, it asked me if I wanted to restart now.  I chose yes.  Soon after, my computer went to a blue screen. I tried to reboot.  The desktop came up and was loading when it blue-screened again.  When I tried to reboot again, my computer hung at the windows logo and didn't do anything.  I tried rebooting a couple more times and it did the same thing.  Then I tried rebooting in safe mode, but that hung at the windows logo also.  Both "safe mode with networking", and "use last working windows configuration" also hung at the windows logo.  Please help!
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    Dusty



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    Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
    « Reply #1 on: August 20, 2008, 03:23:45 PM »
    Welcome to the CH forums.

    Please read this and post back with the info.

    « Last Edit: September 01, 2008, 07:07:23 PM by Dusty »
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    typhoeus

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      Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
      « Reply #2 on: August 20, 2008, 03:56:31 PM »
      Sorry.  I've a Dell Dimension DIM 4700 with 512 mb RAM, 2.79 GHz.  XP is Home Edition SP2 2002 version.  The hard drive capacity is 71.7 gig.

      The only thing I can remember about the blue screen error message is that the error seemed to be caused by a file with a name like "sysnt."  It was the same file both times.  I'm terribly sorry I can't remember any more.

      Thanks for your reply.
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      Dusty



        Egghead

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      Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
      « Reply #3 on: August 20, 2008, 07:13:12 PM »
      Thank you.   Unfortunately the most important thing we need is detail of the error message especially the error code which will indicate whether the problem is hardware or software.  Can you restart your Dell and if it bsod's again post the complete error message.

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      typhoeus

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        Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
        « Reply #4 on: August 20, 2008, 09:00:03 PM »
        Thank you for your responses Dusty.

        I'm afraid I have not been able to bring up the BSOD again, as the system hangs at the windows logo.  However, my brother has the exact same computer and OS.  If I used the Sandboxie software (http://www.sandboxie.com/) and tried to recreate the error message, would his computer be unable to start too?  I ask this because I discovered the program after my computer crashed, so I haven't been able to use it yet.
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        Dusty



          Egghead

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        Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
        « Reply #5 on: August 21, 2008, 04:11:43 AM »
        Just file Sandboxie for a while till we try to get your pc back up.

        Start by using your brother's pc to download Memtest86 from this site and your hard drive diagnostics program from the hdd manufacturers site which should be listed here.

        Run them both on your pc to test the Ram and the hdd.

        Would it be a catastrophe for you to lose all files on your hdd or is your backup up-to-date?
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        typhoeus

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          Hopeful

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          Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
          « Reply #6 on: August 21, 2008, 07:44:52 AM »
          Thank you for your reply.

          Sorry, I'm confused.  Did you mean for me to run those diagnostics on my computer or my brother's?  If you meant mine, how would I do that, seeing as how explorer won't start up?

          No I do not have a recent backup, but no, it would not be catastrophic to lose what's on my hdd.  Do you ask because I might need to reinstall windows?
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          Dusty



            Egghead

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          Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
          « Reply #7 on: August 21, 2008, 03:11:32 PM »
          Quote from: typhoeus on August 21, 2008, 07:44:52 AM
          Did you mean for me to run those diagnostics on my computer or my brother's?  If you meant mine, how would I do that, seeing as how explorer won't start up?

          You will run the diagnostics programs on your pc.   From the downloads bootable media will be created.  This media is called "live" because it does not require the host pc to be running any operating system in order to scan for hardware errors.

          Quote from: typhoeus on August 21, 2008, 07:44:52 AM
          No I do not have a recent backup, but no, it would not be catastrophic to lose what's on my hdd.  Do you ask because I might need to reinstall windows?

          Naughty.   I asked because if the problem turns out to be a failed hdd then it will have to be replaced.

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          typhoeus

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            Hopeful

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            Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
            « Reply #8 on: August 21, 2008, 07:59:27 PM »
            Sorry for being a noob, thnx for replies.

            Would creating a floppy with those programs cause it to be unusable for any other purpose?
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            Dusty



              Egghead

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            Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
            « Reply #9 on: August 21, 2008, 08:46:39 PM »
            Because you boot from the disks used you will have to use two which, provided they can be formatted or overwritten, can be reused many times.

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            typhoeus

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              Hopeful

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              Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
              « Reply #10 on: August 23, 2008, 12:10:46 PM »
              Sorry i've been off.  I've been busy.

              Umm, i'm having trouble finding a floppy drive.  Can a CD-R be used for the diagnostics?

              Sorry for all the questions, but i've never done this before.
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              patio

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              Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
              « Reply #11 on: August 23, 2008, 01:32:24 PM »
              DLoad them from the hard drive manuf. website...
              Follow their instructions on creating a bootable CD
              Set the boot order to boot from CD first and insert the CD
              RE-boot and it should run.
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              typhoeus

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                Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
                « Reply #12 on: August 24, 2008, 03:37:46 PM »
                Sorry for my confusion, I forgot to download ISO images.  What a dolt.

                Okay, my hdd manufacturer's diagnostics tool said "passed."

                Memtest86 said "pass complete, no errors."

                Is this enough information?  Is it a software problem?
                « Last Edit: August 25, 2008, 08:56:41 AM by typhoeus »
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                typhoeus

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                  Hopeful

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                  Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
                  « Reply #13 on: August 25, 2008, 12:19:39 PM »
                  hello?
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                  CarzyComputerGuy

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                  Re: XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD
                  « Reply #14 on: August 25, 2008, 12:26:03 PM »
                  Try runing the system recovery from the Windows XP intall cd.
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