Re: What is the solution?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

"bitsnpcs" <bitsnpcs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:BCA1CE82-2CED-4E5C-9121-3A72A5D8C768@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ok...sure but thats the procedure I was trying to avoid! Let's face it -
backing up a 40GB hard drive is a long slow process....and if its 60GB, 80Gb,
120GB, 250GB arrrgghhh!! Who's got time to do that? Surely there should be
some short sweet procedure you can do to just get the system to bloody boot
....to safe mode even so you can do a system restore.


--
Jim
Bitsnpcs


"Rock" wrote:

"bitsnpcs" <bitsnpcs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6CD6CA96-C740-4A7B-96D5-DB4E83526355@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Ok...this happens time and time again with Windows XP (SP2) and I can't
> find
> a definitive fix anywhere. A client's computer with Windows XP
> (SP2)...working fine yesterday - today he turns it on...it won't > boot -
> keeps re-starting to the "Try last good config screen" - Last good > config
> causes re-boot....attempting to get into Safe mode results in a re-boot
> too.
>
> So is there a fix (or a selection of fixes i could try?). Or do I have > to
> go
> down the path of backing up the hard disk on another machine, > formatting
> and
> re-installing Windows on the Hard disk.....there should be a better > fix!
> My
> feeling is that this particular problem has been caused by an automatic
> update that has failed to install properly prior to the system closing
> down
> on the last occasion. If there isn't a fix...there ought to be!

There should always be a current, full and complete backup so if there isn't
one, back it up first, then do a repair install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

So you are telling me there is no backup for this system, and the person is a client? The first thing someone normally does when working on a system is image it in case there is a problem. Backups are essential. I don't understand your reasoning here. Why not teach the client how to use drive imaging?

A repair install normally goes fine, then just visit windows update to get the latest updates. Depending on what drivers for hardware were added after SP2 was originally installed, you might have to reload those drivers.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

.

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