Re: windows start failure after power surge
- From: "MLee" <MLee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2005 07:43:01 -0700
Well, I know just enough about this computer to basically keep it running, so
I hadn't gotten into log files. We tried a lot of basic steps before the
reformat and I had talked to our IT guy at work. It was recently reformatted
to install an XP from ME upgrade so I wasn't really being conservative on
trying to save stuff.
There was never an error message, it just blinked out to black and then
offered last know good config and safe mode. The good configuration didn't
work either. Actually, it's as if these fixes work but then something in the
startup process just craps out.
This machine is a gateway that's always been annoying and is 4+ years old.
Here's another question, is it usually worth it to keep fixing and upgrading
a slightly out of date machine, or just buy the latest/greatest? Wasteful
but effective.
I will try the step by step hardware troubleshoot.
Thanks for the input.
"w_tom" wrote:
> Trying to fix things before first getting facts. For
> example, what did the event (system) logs report? A
> reformatted disk destroyed that information. A responsible
> computer manufacturer provides comprehensive hardware
> diagnostics for free. If your manufacturer is not so
> responsible, then download diagnostics from each component
> manufacturer or from third parties to test each subsystem.
>
> If computer starts in safe mode, then obviously a boot
> sector is working. Safe mode suggests some hardware or driver
> is not working properly, detected by Windows, and should be
> recorded in the logs. Unfortunately by fixing things before
> collecting facts (ie reformatting), then you may have
> destroyed useful information.
>
> What does the disk drive manufacturer's comprehensive
> diagnostic report? What does the video controller diagnostic
> report? IOW break the problem down into parts. Test hardware
> without any complications from Windows. Get data from logs.
> I assume you have no hardware failure indications in Device
> Manager? Don't even consider trying to fix anything until you
> have collected the facts.
>
> Meanwhile, were are numbers from the system's foundation -
> DC power supply voltages?
>
> MLee wrote:
> > Or at least I think so, there was a whopper of a lightning storm
> > and then Windows wouldn't start up the next morning. I've been
> > trying to trouble shoot and am at a standstill close to the answer.
> >
> > It will start in safe mode
> > I cannot restore it using the disc
> > I disabled several things in device manager and that didn't help
> > I tried the repair from disc as well, doesn't work
> > I finally reformatted - still doesn't work.
> >
> > With the reformat I got as far as the welcome screen before it
> > blinked off. In each startup attempt there is a flash of color on
> > part of the screen and then it will go to black, try to restart a
> > time or two, and then give the option to start in safe mode.
> >
> > I'm trying to figure out if the driver was fried or if my boot sector
> > is corrupted. From what I'm reading, it seems like I can load the
> > boot file from our laptop with XP and then just load it onto the
> > desktop. Any more ideas? How does one copy a boot file from one to
> > the other? Any step by step links out there?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice.
>
.
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