Re: More Problems - XP Will Not Boot - 2nd Computer - Following Update

There is always a possibility you have been infected with malware. If
you haven't seen this helpful page already, have a look at it now:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

In the event you are malware-free, you may want to try the equivalent of
a manual "System Restore":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

Hopefully, that will work. If not...

In order to run a Repair Install (the second "R"), you need to avoid the
Recovery Console (the first "R")! Here are instructions:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Note that your installation CD really should be at the same SP level as
what is on your PC (and for best results, you need to revert to IE6
first, too). If it isn't, you should be able to create an installation
CD from your current one and slipstream SP3 onto it. See:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=xp+slipstream+sp3&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g9

(and choose the method that looks best) FWIW, I've had success with this
method:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=295

(Also, there are programs like nLite that streamline the process.)

If the Repair Install doesn't work, there's always a Clean Install:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

No matter what you do, make sure you will have already copied *all* your
data! This includes e-mails, Web browser favorites, etc. Bootable live
Linux CDs (e.g., Knoppix or Ubuntu) are good for this. Or you can build
your own UBCD4Win, which is very handy to have.

Finally, you should consider ditching Norton, which can be very
problematic for many people, not to mention resource-hogging.



Jeff wrote:
Still stumped!

I have tried various things to get my Windows XP system to boot
normally.

I can boot into Safe Mode with no problems.

I will post the facts as I know them in hopes that they will ring a
bell:

1. The system was working normally before a Norton Internet Security
ran, followed by a Windows XP update.

2. When I attempt a normaly boot, the system hangs at the Windows XP
splash screen, scroll bar srolling, no apparent drive activity (drive
light not illuminated).

3. I have attempted to uninstall several of the Windows updates which
were installed immediately before these problems. I receive errors
that the services' installers will not work in safe mode.

4. I have loaded the utility Safemsi while in safe mode in an attempt
to be able to install MS' Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. I cannot
get the cleanup utility to load in Safe Mode, even after using
Safemsi.

5. I have booted from a Windows XP SP2 installation CD. I attempt to
run a repair. When I select that option, I end up at a screen that
displays: "Microsoft Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery
functionality. Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the
computer.

C:"
If I inspect that drive, it shows there are no files or directories.
The system is set up as a Raid 0 configuration. I am pretty certain
that the drivers required for the raid array are included on the
Windows XP CD.

6. If I try to run the Recovery Console from the recovery option
shown on the boot screen, I get a Blue Screen of Death.

I am tempted to install two new hard drives and reinstall my latest
backup; but, this problem seems very similar to a problem I am
experiencing on my notebook computer after an installation of Windows
Updates and Norton Internet Security Updates. I would like to find
the reason for this problem before moving on.

Thanks

Jeff

"Jeff" wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I am stumped.

This morning I ran Windows Update on a second XP system that I have
in my office.

Prior to running the Windows XP install for the downloaded updates,
I had a message that Norton Internet Security had installed updates
and asked to restart.

Long story short... The system will not boot.

Almost exactly the same problem as I described for the Gateway
notebook computer. However, on this system I can boot to the Windows
XP system disk.

When I try to start Windows XP normally, the boot goes to the point
of the splash screen with the moving scroll bar. Then the light
which indicates hard drive activity stops. The scroll bar continues
to revolve until I do a hard reset of the system.

I can boot into Safe Mode and view event errors on this system.
There are several, and I would be happy to post them; but, I thought
I would post the general details to see what other details would be
helpful.

I tried to boot to the recovery partition on the hard drive (Raid
0). It works for a short while and then goes to a BSOD. I can run
the recovery console from the recovery disk. I did not attempt to do
the recovery at that time, just in case there is a better fix.

What is peculiar is that both of these problems between the two
computers are so similar (both are XP SP3), and they both occurred
after Norton Internet Security and Windows XP updates.

Any thoughts about how I should proceed would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff


.

Relevant Pages

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