WinXP boot failure. Help!!

[nubbin]

I'm running XP Pro sp1 and it will not boot. I get the initial screns of BIOS settings but when the creen goes blank before the first blue XP screen, it stops with a blank screen.

I've tried starting in Safe mode, and run Norton Antivirus, which found and quarantined Trojan.byte verify in four IE5 temp. files, which I have deleted.

However, it is no better, and I cannot now boot even in safe mode - it freezes at the list of files that comes up in safe mode. HELP!!

[Plotloss]

Is there a confirmation mode in XP that allows you to boot step by step?

[squirrelz]

Last couple of problems I've seen with XP were filesystem corruptions.
Pulled the disk, put it in another machine and did a disk check and repair, and Roberts your fathers brother.

[nubbin]

Worth a try, I suppose. And it all sounds so simple!!

[WildfireS3]

Watch out scan disk can sometimes re write the c:windowssystem32config to unknown files and then it stops booting.

If you still can't get it to boot, give me a mail and I'll write a guide up for you to fix it.

[nubbin]

I've managed to get into safe mode again, but there's no internet/e-mail, no auto-protect on NAV, and it won't recognise my DVD writer, so I can't save my files to a DVD and re-format!

If you have any suggestions or fixes, Wildfire, I'll send you my work e-mail and give it a go. Thanks in advnce for any help yu can offer.

[Plotloss]

Thats what safe mode is, Windows loaded with the bare minimum of drivers etc.

What do your logs say in the management console (right click my computer>manage>logs and alerts)

[nubbin]

Plotloss said:

Thats what safe mode is, Windows loaded with the bare minimum of drivers etc. What do your logs say in the management console (right click my computer>manage>logs and alerts)

Yeah, it's very annoying...

I'll have to let you know about the logs, when I've been home again.

I partitioned the hard drive so that Windows is in it's own little partition as the 'C' drive, and applications, documents etc are all in separate compartments. I did it so that if I got any Windows problems, I could delete and re-install Windows. Do you reckon that might solve the problem?

>> Edited by nubbin on Wednesday 21st January 14:42

[ErnestM]

nubbin - have your BIOS to a check on your ram when it boots. If you have bad ram, this is one of the symptoms. Most PCs have the "express boot" option enabled which does not check the ram very well...

ErnestM

[nubbin]

Thanks for the help everyone.

I downloaded XP Pro boot disc, and it allowed me to delete and reinstall Windows on my 'C' partition, without losing any applications or data. So, once I've reloaded the few bits I've lost, like NAV etc, I'm back up to speed. Phew!!