View Full Version : Windows XP won't start up
I've used Spybot Search and Destroy many times, but I noticed my computer was running painfully slow and realized it was overdue for a scan. 70 problems were found in a variety of places and I elected to check them all. All but two were fixed, and I was directed to restart the computer. After restarting, however, a black screen came on telling me that the Windows start-up was unsuccessful and offered choices as to how to proceed. I tried "last known good configuration" but was brought back to the same screen. I tried to start in safe mode, normal mode - I even tried unplugging the CPU and the plugging it in again. I can't get past that screen. I thought OK, looks like I'll have to do a non-destructive system recovery, but all I get then is a blank blue screen! YIKES! What did I do???! Is my computer dead?
(Sorry I can't provide any logs but I can't access anything!)
We are sorry that this has happened. Do you have the Windows XP installation disk or a recovery disk for your Windows system?
It seems that you may have a corrupted boot sector. Spybot-S&D normally does not make any changes in the boot sector so we wonder what could have caused this.
If this don't fix the problem you can also use the recovery console to re-write the boot sector.
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307654&x=10&y=15
The command fixboot is the one which you should use:
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxprcons.html
If your system works again it is very important that you give us a feedback. We need your help in order to locate whether Spybot-S&D has caused this or if this is caused by something else which is still on your system.
First of all, we will need your Spybot-S&D log files which you should find here:
* Windows 95 or 98: C:\Windows\Aplication Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
* Windows ME: C:\Windows\All Users\Application Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
* Windows NT, 2000 or XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
* Windows Vista: C:\ProgramData\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
(Please note that the Application Data Folder is hidden. So if you can't find this folder please check your folder properties)
(http://www.xtra.co.nz/help/0,,4155-1916458,00.html)
Please send these files to software(at)spybot.info (replace the (at) with "@") and make a reference in the subject that I(Chi-Va) has requested them.
My computer came with Windows XP already loaded on it and I don't have a recovery disk. I read that Microsoft makes it available as a download onto floppies but then in the end you still need an XP installation disk. I've read in other forums that even if a person knew how to burn copies of their OS onto a CD (which I don't) and kept it on hand for their own use for situations such as this, that it is illegal. Why? Now in order to fix my computer I'd have to go out and buy it new?
Anyway, if I do get it going again I will get the information you asked for.
Has this ever happened to anyone else?
Hm, no Windows CD. This increase the intricacy of the repair.
Please try to start Windows in safe mode again.
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B315222&x=11&y=6
This time please use the menu option:
-Enable Boot Logging
Please write down which files cannot be loaded and paste them here.
Later, when we have located the problem, you will need a boot medium for replacing damaged files. Here are three examples which you can use:
Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu
Knoppix:
http://www.knoppix.org/
Windows PE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Preinstallation_Environment
They are normally free, free downloads, available from magazines, etc. but you can also order them.
I started my computer pressing the F8 key and my safe mode choices are 1)safe mode 2)safe mode with networking and 3)safe mode with command prompt. That's it. If I choose safe mode, a list of files comes up - looks like almost all drivers - but it goes so fast and doesn't stay on the screen long enough for me to take note. I tried to write them down but I just can't see them fast enough. I borrowed a set of recovery disks from a friend but my computer doesn't seem to even know that a CD has been loaded. Once the black screen that says "We're sorry for the inconvenience..." comes on there is nothing else that registers, and attempting to start using any of the menu options just brings me back to the same apologetic screen.
When I cleaned out my computer I really "cleaned it out!" I'm in a real mess now!
Summary:
You probably use Windows XP Home OEM version, without installation disk nor recovery disk. Apart from that, we suppose that you don't have the serial number and you also don't have the system administrator password which was used during the installation. Is this correct?
Can it also be possible that your Windows wasn't up to date so that this issue could happen?
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B318159&x=16&y=13
Anyway, if this is all correct then this is one of the worst thinkable cases for recovering a system. That means no recovery console and no repair installation is possible. But I haven give up yet. Please be patient!:coffee: I know, it is difficult if we regard your situation. If it helps, please consider that I will spend many free hours as well in order to help you. If you follow my instructions you will at least be able to make a backup of your data.
I don't know which recovery disks your friend has given you but I hope that one of them is Ultimate Boot CD for Windows:
http://www.ubcd4win.com/
It contains all the tools which we need in order to repair the system. We need at least a remote registry editor and a file browser. If none of your recovery disks have these tools then please ask your friend if he could create a ubcd4win CD for you. I will answer later again because I have to test something by myself.:)
P.S.: Before you can boot from CD it may be necessary to change the boot sequence:
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bios-boot-cdrom
It could be different from yours depending on which motherboard you use.
Everybody ready?:bigthumb: I have catch a cold so please be kindly to me.;) If anyone of the about 20 other readers want to help or have something to add please don't hesitate.
First step: Locate the problem.
Note: If available please always try the Windows restore point first.
Boot from the recovery CD(which should be one with a file browser) and use the file browser to open the file "boot.ini" which you should find in your boot drive(normally c: ).
An example of a boot.ini:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn /SOS /BOOTLOG
Your file should miss the entries /SOS and /BOOTLOG. Please add them and save the file "boot.ini" in order to create a log file. Maybe it will be necessary to remove the write protection of the file before you can save it.
Now navigate with the file browser to:
* Windows NT, 2000 or XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
and save the latest Checks and Fixes files on a disk. As written before I recommend the Ultimate Boot CD with the BART PE enviroment because this has also a network support which allows you to directly upload the log files on the forum.
If available please also add the Minidump file:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B315263&x=15&y=17
Restart the system so that we can get our Ntbtlog.txt file.
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B833721&x=15&y=8
Same procedure as before please save it on a disk or directly upload the file.
Depending on the error logs which you should post here I will give you further instructions.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/russel_02may13.mspx
P.S.: If you don't use the Ultimate Boot CD please tell me which other recovery disk you use so that I can get an overview what we can do.
I now have the UBCD4 disk and also an XP ISO Builder disk. I changed my BIOS to boot from a CD and I will try running the UBCD4 disk and see what happens.
Well, it seems that the disks I have are not bootable disks... I looked up how to create a bootable disk and it's just more headache. :banghead: I am going crazy and ready to give up! It might be worth preserving my mental health and just buy a new processor. But I know you want to know what happened for your own knowledge, so I have one more avenue to pursue. I have a few remote acquaintances who are computer-savvy and would be able to create the bootable disks for me and hopefully I can go from there. Maybe they will be able to offer more help than that but I won't expect them to. Either way, I will let you know the results.
Meanwhile, a huge "thank you" for all the help you've given so far! It's quite a challenge, Isn't it?!
I have the exct same problm as everything above and hope i dont run into a dead end like the user who made this post, i need my PC, hate this laptop.
I'm currently using windows XP home edition that didn't come with any boot disks or installtion cd's.
I recently wiped my hard drive last week, removing everything, including all my saved files but on startup i downloaded like 500mb's worth of important secruity updates from microsoft.
I then downloaded like 5000 mb's worth of of game from a bit torrent website, i knew i downloaded spyware with it, with the random pop ups and it wouldn't let me donload ad-aware, everytime i went to website i was directed to some random search engine.
I then clicked start/run and type msconfig and unticked everything on the start up tab and restarted.
My computer then constantly failed to load windows with a blue screen that flashed for like half a second, not even the safe mode options work, i can't get onto windows at all and i have no idea what to do.
I was hoping http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8&displaylang=en would fix this probelm if i downloaded these to disk, yet i have no idea and no other option other than to buy a new version of windows xp.
I know there is nothing i can do at all on my computer to get it to start up without a boot cd, i need something on the net that i can save to cd and use to boot up windows xp, like another OS even to restore my old os when it's done, could you possibly help me on this?
Downloaded ultimate boot CD but dont know how to restore factory settings from there it's brang me a desktop with options.
I don't think that this is the same situation because you have manually wiped out files and you also have manually edited the system startup with msconfig. Could it be possible that you have accidentally removed Windows system files?
If it is only a problem of the system startup then you should try the last known good configuration:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307852&x=18&y=22
Everybody ready?:bigthumb: I have catch a cold so please be kindly to me.;) If anyone of the about 20 other readers want to help or have something to add please don't hesitate.
First step: Locate the problem.
Note: If available please always try the Windows restore point first.
Boot from the recovery CD(which should be one with a file browser) and use the file browser to open the file "boot.ini" which you should find in your boot drive(normally c: ).
An example of a boot.ini:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn /SOS /BOOTLOG
Your file should miss the entries /SOS and /BOOTLOG. Please add them and save the file "boot.ini" in order to create a log file. Maybe it will be necessary to remove the write protection of the file before you can save it.
Now navigate with the file browser to:
* Windows NT, 2000 or XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Logs
and save the latest Checks and Fixes files on a disk. As written before I recommend the Ultimate Boot CD with the BART PE enviroment because this has also a network support which allows you to directly upload the log files on the forum.
If available please also add the Minidump file:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B315263&x=15&y=17
Restart the system so that we can get our Ntbtlog.txt file.
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B833721&x=15&y=8
Same procedure as before please save it on a disk or directly upload the file.
Depending on the error logs which you should post here I will give you further instructions.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/russel_02may13.mspx
P.S.: If you don't use the Ultimate Boot CD please tell me which other recovery disk you use so that I can get an overview what we can do.
Hi chiva
tks for all this info, I have exactely the same problem (but i have xp pro sp3 and the original cd), after a scan with spybot (in safe mode xp pro sp3) spybot asked for reboot and since i don t have toolmenu or icons both in safe mode or normal mode (nothing after entering my windows username and password)
i guess ur right and i need to change something in the boot.ini (or another boot log file...) but i didn t understand exactely how to do your changes, can you be more precise please
tks