Emergency Windows XP Computer Help Needed

[savedbygrace]

I need help.

Windows XP SP2 on my computer will not start. Earlier this morning, everything was going great, then Firefox locked up while doing a Google search. Locked up tight, and I had to press and hold the power button for several seconds to shut down.

Now, when I power up, everything goes well through POST until Windows tries to start up, then the screen goes black and all disk activity ceases. After waiting several minutes with nothing happening, pressing the power button for a fraction of a second shuts the computer down.

I've tried booting to Last Known Good Configuration - same result.

I've tried booting into Safe Mode - same results. When I boot so I can see each startup event happening, the last event that prints to the screen is:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\FONTS\vgaoem.fon

Then, all disk activity ceases and nothing else happens.

I built this computer myself - it's a P4 2.4GHz with 1GB RAM on an Asus mobo.

I do not want to lose all the data on the boot drive. Some of it is not backed up since two days ago, including Quicken and QuickBooks.

One big obstacle is that I originally installed this from an early WinXP full install CD, before SP1, and I've updated through SP1 to SP2. So, booting from the install disc won't help. I do have an SP2 disc from Microsoft, but I doubt that is bootable.

Help!

[WaterDragon]

Have you tried unplugging the computer, then plugging it back in?

Before you try this, first unplug your peripherals, including your monitor from the computer.

[Steve Van Doorn]

FR has some great people here. You will find expert advice on just about everything. Actually FR is the first place I look, I do a web site search on the issue i am interested in and bam I ussually find what I am looking for.

[perfect stranger]

I have two Dells from around the same time (2000-2001). They have the name Foxconn on them inked into the transformer box.

[perfect stranger]

how do you load the OS to the RAM?

[perfect stranger]

I had a ribbon cable come undone but only on one side so I reversed it so the damaged side is connected to the motherboard until I can get a new one just so I can still change out the HD if I want to.

[KoRn]

I was very busy when I first posted to you.

Another good thing to try in Recovery Console is:

CHKDSK /R

That will find and hopefully fix any hard disk errors you have.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Huh?

[perfect stranger]

Sorry, I think I meant that comment for someone else.

Have a great week end.

[goldstategop]

Have you checked the power supply? When Windows can't boot up, check that hasn't gone bad. Also, look into your fan. If its not Windows, odds are good the problem is hardware related.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

[RichardW]

That's an excellent idea. Check the power supply. They are relatively inexpensive and just might fix the problem. I've had two of them go bellyup.

[2nd amendment mama]

Bookmark - I might need this advice for a computer I'm fixing. Thank you!

[RightFighter]

Sorry - I wasn't trying to split hairs. Your original post said that chkdsk will "ensure the major OS components are in line with the standard Windoze setup". Chkdsk doesn't do that - it only checks for errors within files that are on the hard disk, and, if used with the /f command, it will repair those files.

There is a utility within Windows called "sfc" that will compare the existing Windows files with the files on the original installation media and check for corruption - it will then replace corrupted files with the original version.

From Microsoft's website:

CHKDSK

Creates and displays a status report for a disk based on the file system. Chkdsk also lists and corrects errors on the disk. Used without parameters, chkdsk displays the status of the disk in the current drive.

/f : Fixes errors on the disk. The disk must be locked. If chkdsk cannot lock the drive, a message appears that asks you if you want to check the drive the next time you restart the computer.

System File Checker (sfc)

Scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files after you restart your computer.

/scannow : Scans all protected system files immediately.

[savedbygrace]

I apologize to all for being absent from this thread, but I've been busy trying to resolve the problems. When I have time, I'll ping everyone who tried to help. Here's the current status:

I am planning a trip to Tulsa on Sunday to buy a new hard drive, for a new WinXP installation. I'm planning to buy a full version of WinXP SP2, so I won't have teh same repair agony I was facing this time.

Anyway, that's for tomorrow. As for what's happened so far, I did a lot of thinking about all the suggestions on this thread, and in spite of all that thinking, I still made the wrong choice for what to do first.

For my first action, I did the Repair option that several suggested. I should have heeded the advice of others who suggested moving the boot drive to another PC first. What happened is that the Repair found dozens of fonts that it couldn't copy, and so the Repair didn't take.

Then, when I moved the drive to another PC, when I booted that PC, Windows wanted to run chkdsk on my drive, so I let it. It found a ton of items that needed to be fixed, and I thought, 'Man, that'll fix it up.'

But it didn't, and when I put the drive back into my computer, the aborted Windows Repair insisted on continuing, but after it finished, Windows wouldn't start - same black screen.

So, even though all the files are on the drive, and I was able to copy them all to a drive on the other system, I'll need to reinstall Windows.

For that, I figured it this way: My hard drive is nearly four years old, so I'm playing with fire to reinstall anything on it (statistically, most hard drives fail either in the first 30 days or after three years of service). So, I've decided to buy a new drive for the new install.

Also, I'm tired of facing the Repair agony of using the original pre-SP1 WinXP install disc, then having to re-upgrade to SP2. So, I've decided to buy a full SP2 install disc.

Anyway, that's where things stand at the moment. I thank everyone for the help I've received here. All of all was great, even though I did things in the wrong order, and messed up.

[relictele]

My first hunch is a bad video card and/or motherboard. I had a similar issue about a year ago.

For confirmation or additional troubleshooting try the following:

1) Winternals - this is a boot-from-CD Windows-like environment. It will allow you to see if your video hardware is functioning. Once it boots up, you can also view/edit your disk configuration, edit registry, reset Admin password, etc. Not cheap but an enterprising lad like yourself may be able to locate a copy in a pinch.

2) Knoppix - this is a Linux distro that is self-contained on CD or DVD (knoppix.net). Again, no HD involvement hence no Windows involvement - this will allow you to check hardware operation (video, motherboard, etc.).

[RichardW]

This is why I just bought two new Dell computers. It comes with all of the software installed and you just plug it into the wall and are ready to work. I've built these machines but I don't think it is even't cost effective. If your hard drive is four years old you are living on borrowed time anyway. Hard drives are dirt cheap. With rebates they can be bought for $0. I'd just replace it and would also consider just getting a complete unit down at Office Depot or someplace like that. Then you'll have everything you need. Take the other computer and toss it in the trash.

[HAL9000]

My question is, is videoconferencing dependant on a shared operating system?

iChat AV videoconferencing on Macs is compatible with AOL Instant Messenger videoconferencing on PCs. They speak each other's language.

[HAL9000]

As an aside to the jokers telling you to "get a Mac", I enjoy that kind of back-and-forth on tech threads as much as anybody but that kind of comment on a thread started by a guy with a real problem is obnoxious, to say nothing of unhelpful.

A lot of people have taken that advice, and they are happy with their new Macs. It is the best solution for getting rid of the most common computer problems.

[Turbopilot]

I didn't see anything obnoxious from you or the Linux people; in this instance a Linux LiveCD might be a useful way to get his data off the dying HD. No one said "switch to Linux and you'll never have a hard drive fail". The only rude comments I saw were from Mac people who flippantly tossed off "get a Mac" as though that would either solve this problem or prevent it from happening again. I just think that kind of thing should be kept to computing news threads, not requests for help.

[Turbopilot]

The poor guy didn't ask for advice on buying a new computer, he asked for help with a current computer problem. Buying a Mac (or any other kind of computer) would neither fix this problem nor prevent it from occurring in the future, so the suggestion comes off as flippant and rude. Just something for you to consider in your evangelism.

[HAL9000]

The poor guy didn't ask for advice on buying a new computer, he asked for help with a current computer problem. Buying a Mac (or any other kind of computer) would neither fix this problem nor prevent it from occurring in the future, so the suggestion comes off as flippant and rude. Just something for you to consider in your blah blah blah...

My comment wasn't flippant or rude, it was simply a reply to your "aside".