XP won't start in normal or safe mode after BSOD

[typhoeus]

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!

[Dusty]

Welcome to the CH forums.

Please read this and post back with the info.

[typhoeus]

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.

[Dusty]

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.

[typhoeus]

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.

[Dusty]

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?

[typhoeus]

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?

[Dusty]

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.

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.

[typhoeus]

Sorry for being a noob, thnx for replies.

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

[Dusty]

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.

[typhoeus]

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.

[patio]

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.

[typhoeus]

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?

[typhoeus]

hello?

[CarzyComputerGuy]

Try runing the system recovery from the Windows XP intall cd.

[typhoeus]

When I run the Windows XP install CD system recovery, it asks me which windows installation to log onto.  The only choice is C:windows.  When I choose this it asks for an administrator password.  When I type in my administrator password, it rejects it.  Does it mean a different password from the one I normally log on with?

[patio]

Re-boot and try again...when prompted for a password simply hit Enter and see if it lets you in...

[typhoeus]

Okay, it let me in, but now I don't know what to do with it.  It has a C:\windows> prompt.

[patio]

You are in the Recovery Console...
2 things to try :
Type in fixboot and hit Enter.
Power down and re-boot removing the XP CD first.
If that does not work:

Repeat the above method for getting back to the RC and this time type in fixmbr and hit Enter.
Again power down and re-boot after removing the XP CD...

If that produces no joy-joy See Here.

I suggest reading it thru completely paying attention to the WARNINGS and printing out a copy for reference.

If done properly all your data and programs will be intact.
If screwed up at any stage you will lose everything but have a clean install of XP.

[joefido]

It sounds as though your installation didn't install properly and possibly caused a registry corruption. At this point your best shot would be to get your Installation CD or Recovery CD and do a Repair. If your not sure how to use the Recovery Console than just do a Re-Install, and you might as well do a re-partition and re-format just to start fresh.

[typhoeus]

Thnx for your replies, and thnx for the links patio.  I will try this when I get back from vacation.

[typhoeus]

I'm back from vacation now, ready to try to quell my computer's demons.

I'm sorry for questions that are probably riciculously simple, but to a n00b it all seems terribly ominous.

I did the fixboot, but computer still won't start in normal mode.  Was I supposed to boot differently somehow, so as to boot from the new bootsector?


EDIT: After selecting boot from normal mode, and letting my computer sit for long enough, it got to the logon screen.  When I typed in my password and pressed enter, it blue-screened again, but this time I've got what it says:

*** STOP: 0x00000022 (0x000F00CF,0xEC66E7CC,0xEC66E4C8,0xF82F3154)

***  MDFSYSNT.sys - Address F82F3154 base at F82BB000, DateStamp 48863529

Does this help?  If not, I've got a pretty good picture of the BSOD, so I can tell you more if you need to know it.

[patio]

From Microsoft:

Error Message:

STOP: 0x00000022 (parameter, parameter, parameter, parameter) FILE_SYSTEM
Explanation:

This is a Windows 2000 Executive character-mode STOP message. This indicates a generic file system problem.
User Action:

If this is the first time you have booted after installing new hardware, remove the hardware and boot again. Check the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List to verify that the hardware and its drivers are compatible with Windows 2000. For information about the hardware, contact the supplier. If you are installing Windows 2000 for the first time, check the Windows 2000 system requirements, including the amount of RAM and disk space required to load the operating system. Also, check the Hardware Compatibility List to verify that the system can run Windows 2000. If Windows 2000 is loaded and no new hardware has been installed, reboot with recovery options set to create a dump file. If the message continues to appear, select the Last Known Good option when you reboot. If there is no Last Known Good configuration, try using the Emergency Repair Disk. If you do not have an Emergency Repair Disk, contact your technical support group.

Did you try fixmbr as well ? ?
I'm afraid a Repair Install is in order here...

[typhoeus]

Ahh, I forgot I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow (or at this hour, is it today?)  Any way, with the pain pills and knockout drugs and sleeping I won't be able to attempt a repair install until about Friday or the weekend.  But I have a question: why, running Windows XP, do I get a Windows 2000 error?  Thnx for help, especially with n00bish questions.  I'm a little paranoid .

[patio]

It's an XP glitch...don't remember what error triggers it but i've seen it...not to worry.

[typhoeus]

Well, I feel like my jaw is trying to come out the left side of my head, but I have nothing else to do, sooo...

I typed fixmbr and this message came back:

** CAUTION **

This computer appears to have a non-standard or invalid master boot record.

FIXMBR may damage your partition tables if you proceed.

This could cause all the partitions on the current hard disk to become inaccessable.

Thnx for help.

If you are not having problems accessing your hard drive, do not continue.

Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?


Should I try something else first, like the link you gave me, or is this what I should do?

[patio]

This is what you should try before resorting to the repair install...

WARNING: I suggest reading thru the Repair Install instructions and also printing out a copy for reference....as stated above if done properly all your data and programs will remain intact.
If done improperly everything will be gone and you will have a clean install of XP.

[typhoeus]

So FIXMBR won't damage or delete anything?

[typhoeus]

No?

[patio]

No.

I wouldn't advise something that could be potentially harmful...

[typhoeus]

I didn't think you would, I'm just paranoid about things like error messages and warnings.  I like complete confirmation.  Thank you so much for helping me.  I'll try it immediately.

[typhoeus]

Question:  What do I do after that, and if it gets me in, then what?  Uninstall Macdrive?

[patio]

After that remove the XP CD and re-boot...hit F8 repeatedly as it's powering up to enter safemode.
Then use Add/Remove to get rid of MacDrive.
Then buy a Mac if you want the Mac experience.
 

[typhoeus]

I have a Mac.  I wanted my PC to recognize my Ipod as a drive.  You didn't read the description of Macdrive did you?

I booted into safe mode successfully, but in add/remove programs when trying to remove Macdrive, it said:

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.  This can occur because you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.  Contact your support personnel for assistance.

Since you are, I did.

[patio]

I would still follow the steps in the post above...
Then re-boot and re-install the MacDrive software after Visiting Here...

[typhoeus]

So I do not need to uninstall Macdrive before doing a repair install?  Is it necessary to re-install Macdrive after the repair install?  I do not really need it I suppose.

[patio]

You can do it either way...
Keep in mind i'm not trying to discourage you from using MacDrive...it may just be a funky install...but it's related to when you started having issues.

[typhoeus]

I was just experimenting. You haven't discouraged me from using it, it has.  I'll try the repair install now.  Thanks for the help.