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05.13.2007 at 10:31AM PDT, ID: 22569303

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5.8

Windows XP hangs on "Windows is starting up" screen and won't start.

Zones: Microsoft Operating Systems, Operating Systems Miscellaneous, Windows XP Operating System

Tags: windows, starting, xp, up, hangs

I'm attempting to repair a friend's PC but am totally perplexed...

It is a 3 year old PC running XP that was working OK, but recently kept freezing on boot up. Apparently if you tried to restart it several times, it would eventually work. Now it no longer does.

On boot up, it gets to the blue "Windows is starting up.." screen, and then stays there. It will NOT boot past this point. If you try and boot it in safe mode, it gets to the point where you get a dark screen with "Safe mode" in each corner of the screen and then jumps straight to the blue "Windows is starting up" screen and again hangs there!

I have a non-OEM windows XP disc and so tried a repair install. I went through the whole process, the XP Home operating system was recognised ,and Windows went through the whole repair nicely. However, on reboot - the screen "Windows is starting up" again comes up and it freezes there still!

I've done a repair install twice now!

I took the hard disc out of the PC and using a USB connection, scanned the hard disc with my AVG anti-virus program on another computer. Two viruses were found and removed, but this didn't help either.
I did a defrag on the disc whilst I was at it, and that went OK eventually, but took HOURS and hung twice.

It isn't a hardware problem as far as I know (other than the hard drive?), as I can start up the PC with a live Linux disc (Ubuntu) and can read the hard drive files too.
I put a new hard drive in and reinstalled XP and that works fine, although of course this doesn't have all the users programs and settings on it.

So, where to now?
Can this boot up problem be solved?

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Question Stats

Zone: OS

Question Asked By: t20suzukiman

Solution Provided By: natcom

Participating Experts: 5

Solution Grade: A

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05.13.2007 at 10:43AM PDT, ID: 19081626

Rank: Guru

vallis:

Installation of Windows gives RAM a really hard time: do a test or try different RAM modules.
http://www.memtest86.com/

05.13.2007 at 10:45AM PDT, ID: 19081627

Rank: Genius

KCTS:

A repair sometimes can't resolve such problems, there is probavly a corrupt driver or file somewhere.
I would do a fresh install, formatting the disk first. If the machine contains any data that you want to keep you can make a BartPE disk (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/)and boot from that and copy the data to a safe location first.

05.13.2007 at 10:58AM PDT, ID: 19081666

t20suzukiman:

I'm pretty sure it isn't the RAM as I've done a fresh XP install on a new disc and also done a Ubuntu installation, all on the same PC.

A fresh install would work, but I don't just want to keep my data - The owner of the PC has none of the software discs and would lose all of their programs. I have already backed up the data files using a Linux live CD so that is not a worry.

05.13.2007 at 11:14AM PDT, ID: 19081693

Rank: Genius

KCTS:

I think a re-install is all that you can do with any degree to certainty. You could try booting into safe mode and replacing drivers and disabling services but it will be very time consuming with no certainty of sucess for all of your efforts.

05.13.2007 at 11:21AM PDT, ID: 19081706

t20suzukiman:

I can't boot it into safe mode! (see above)

To see if it was a driver problem I removed the Floppy drive, CD drive, DVD drive, modem and graphics card and rebooted! Still the same result though.

A fresh install loses all of the programs and settings and I want to avoid that if possible.

I can take the disc out and copy across any files I need to repair XP. There must be a way.

05.13.2007 at 11:27AM PDT, ID: 19081720

Rank: Genius

KCTS:

Booting into the recovery console from the CD is another option, again you can try repairing files, drivers, tinkering with the registry etc but again no certainty of success. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301645 (It says Win2000 but is the same for XP)
There is also some general advice at http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/RecoveringXP.htm which may help

If not of these works, then no matter how much you want to avoid it, a fresh install may be the only solution.

05.13.2007 at 12:32PM PDT, ID: 19081859

Rank: Master

natcom:

try this 1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD and assure that your CD-ROM drive is capable of booting the CD. Configuring your computer to boot from CD is outside of the scope of this document, but if you are having trouble, consult Google for assistance.
2. Once you have booted from CD, do not select the option that states: "Press F2 to initiate the Automated System Recovery (ASR) tool." You're going to proceed until you see the following screen, at which point you will press the "R" key to enter the recovery console:

After you have selected the appropriate option from step two, you will be prompted to select a valid Windows installation (Typically number "1"). Select the installation number, (As mentioned, "1" in most cases), and hit enter. If there is an administrator password for the administrator account, enter it and hit enter. You will be greeted with this screen, which indicates a recovery console at the ready:

try this two commands
# C: CHKDSK /R /F
# C: FIXBOOT

then reboot your PC

05.13.2007 at 02:53PM PDT, ID: 19082159

t20suzukiman:

Hi there
I got into the recovery console and did:

C:WINDOWS> CHKDSK /R

(the /F command wasn't recognised..)

The disk ran checks for 10 mins or so and said that one or more sectors had been repaired.

I then did >FIXBOOT and rebooted as suggested......

I'm now though, unfortunately, once more looking at the "Windows is starting up" screen - where it has again frozen up.

05.13.2007 at 04:15PM PDT, ID: 19082328

Rank: Master

natcom:

Try disabling some hardware from the bios which you don't require to start the computer. also make sure nothing is plugin to the machine No usb devices you
might have an old piece of HW that XP gets confused about how to handle.
Try removing cards for networking and sound etc. to see if you can detect which one

also try the CHKDSK /R command again but now add the /P

like so CHKDSK /R /P

this is also a good command to try Bootcfg /rebuild for a possible fix

05.13.2007 at 04:32PM PDT, ID: 19082354

Rank: Master

natcom:

if this is a driver problem you need to copy c:\windows\repair\system to c:\windows\system32\config\system

the best way to do this is with Bart PE

05.14.2007 at 01:28AM PDT, ID: 19083585

Narog:

I had this same problem in my old apartment. The electrical wiring was bad so I think the computer didn't get enough electricity or something because when I removed all USB devices except for the keyboard the computer booted. When I switched apartment the problem went away so I can only assume that was the problem.

05.14.2007 at 01:38PM PDT, ID: 19088265

t20suzukiman:

I did CHKDSK /R /P as suggested, but this didn't help.

I tried Bootcfg /rebuild but didn't know what parameters to use. I don't think that this is the way forwards....

The driver idea sounds good. Obviously the Windows files are fine if I've done a repair install twice, so this sounded promising.
I backed up the c:\windows\system32\config\system file and then replaced it with c:\windows\repair\system as suggested. I rebooted and..... exactly the same as before. :-(

I'm still stuck with the "Windows is starting up..." screen

I've upped the points for a solution to 500 as this seems insoluble....

05.14.2007 at 01:54PM PDT, ID: 19088397

Rank: Master

natcom:

about the bootcfg /rebuild command http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000648.htm

did you unplug all usb devices and network cable from the machine ?

is the video integrated on the system board ?

reset the system board bios there is a jumper that allow to do that you need to check with the system board manual to find that jumper.

05.14.2007 at 02:13PM PDT, ID: 19088538

t20suzukiman:

I have nothing plugged in. I've removed the modem, the sound card and have tried removing the graphics card too. I ran the monitor from the motherboard port and it made no difference so I replaced the graphics card.

I'll look for the jumper as you suggest.

Is there any way I can use my fresh XP install (on a different hard disc, but installed using the broken PC) to repair the disc with the info and settings on? What I mean is, if this XP install works, and was done on this PC, the boot or driver files must be working on the fresh install.
Can I transfer loads of files from that disc to get this one working? If so, which ones?

05.14.2007 at 02:39PM PDT, ID: 19088708

Rank: Master

natcom:

I don't clearly understand your question but if nothing else works
what I suggest you do is something call a parallel install is soft of like installing Windows side-by-side on the same hard drive where the damage installation resides. The benefit about doing this is that it allow you to clearly make sure if this a hardware or software issue. also allow you keep all your data so you will end up with two overrating systems the old one and a new one
you can transfer your previous profile into the new OS but is a little bit time consuming. This is one of the reason why it's very important to keep good working backup images of your system

http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdparallell/indexfullpage.htm

Accepted Solution

05.15.2007 at 04:56AM PDT, ID: 19091946

t20suzukiman:

The link you gave me says I must have XP Pro. I only have the Home version - will this work?

My question was partly answered by your response above. I'm happy to reinstall windows on a new hard drive on that PC, or even on a new partition on the original disc, but would very much like to transfer the settings, programs, data etc too. I'm happy to learn how to transfer the XP profile, if that also saves all of the programs and settings.

I really appreciate your help on this. My friend whose PC it is has no back up and very few of the original program discs!
I've backed up the data from the disc, but it is the programs and settings that my friend is desperate to keep.

05.15.2007 at 05:57AM PDT, ID: 19092322

Rank: Master

natcom:

the link will also work with windows xp Home I don't want to give you the impression that you will be able to save 100% of all your program settings. but Me personally I have recover about 95% using this procedure. you need to be logged in as the administrator Account to transfer files and settings between profiles.

This is something that you should only try as a last alternative.

05.15.2007 at 02:24PM PDT, ID: 19096469

t20suzukiman:

I've pretty much tried everything now...

I've disconnected the Cd and DVD, the floppy, the card reader ports, removed the modem, sound card, and graphics card.
I've then edited the BIOS and turned almost everything to "Disable" and tried again.... It still hangs at the same place :-(

It still won't boot in safe mode - it gets to the first bit of the screen (safe mode written in each corner of the screen) but then jumps straight back to the "Windows is starting up..." screen and sits there.

ARRGGGHHHH! Sorry, feel better now! :-)

I've removed the Bios battery and replaced it, reset the Bios to 'default settings' - pretty much everything, although I can't find the jumper you refer to. The circuitboard manual tells me where it should be, but it isn't there...

This is the most puzzling problem I've ever come across and I'm torn between two ideas... continue to work at it OR, to throw the bl**dy thing out of the window!

Unless anyone can think of anything else to do I'll try natcom's suggestion of a parallel install as that seems the best option left to me.

05.15.2007 at 02:47PM PDT, ID: 19096615

Rank: Guru

vallis:

Before writing off my first comment, have a look here:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Q_22568514.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+ram+test

Different symptoms, I know, but still possibly relevant.

As stated there by simpswr, "installation of XP stresses the memory and will show any weaknesses that would not otherwise show up."

What do you have to lose?

05.16.2007 at 02:34AM PDT, ID: 19099409

t20suzukiman:

Fair point vallis. I'll check the memory out. Nothing to lose.
If it isn't that, it looks like a parallel install is the wqay forwards.

05.17.2007 at 07:57AM PDT, ID: 19108701

t20suzukiman:

Ok - mem test done and all was fine.

I have now done a parallel install as suggested by natcom. The directions on the link were fine. However, I now have a fresh install with a WINDOWS folder (old one) and the new WINXP folder as well as the old user documents, new ones etc.

How do I now move all the program files from the old corrupted install into the new one? I can easily copy the users documents, music and picture files across to the new folders, but what about the programs? Surely I can't just copy across the 'Program Files' folder can I?? I can obviously experiment here, but I'd appreciate natcom's final comments on this (or anyone else's) before awarding him the points and shutting up this thread.

Thanks for the help folks.

05.17.2007 at 09:49AM PDT, ID: 19109688

Rank: Master

natcom:

if you did it properly you will end up with two windows folders obviously they have to be named differently. Program files can remain on the same directory. The idea is to copy everything from your previous profile to you a new profile.

that's why it is very important to be login with the administrator
account to transfer files between profiles. If you are logged on with the profile that you going to be transferring files from
you won't be able to do so.

It is important you understand that each profile has a file call Ntuser.dat this is where all the settings reside for that particular profile. for you to be able to see this file you have to enable the
show hidden files and folders. you can do so by opening my computer click on tools folder options view. this option should be right in the middle.

make sure you backup your new Ntuser.dat file before you transfer the file to the new profile

also make sure that your new profile have administrative privileges. you might want to take ownership of the new profile folder.

This might be my final comments on this subject good luck

awtgroup

02.24.2008 at 04:33PM PST, ID: 20972164

I had this same problem and have managed to fix it just now.

The problem seemed to be the "Default user" profile in documents and settings. Once I removed the HDD from the problem laptop and plugged it into mine via USB I noticed the default user profile was not hidden as it usually is.

I copied the Default user profile from my unaffected computer replacing the copy on the problem laptop and fired it back up and no longer had the issue of hanging on the "Windows is stating up..." at start up.

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