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

[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...