Question

Windows XP Pro shows splash screen, but does not boot.

Asked by: cellis4766

I am running a home built PC running Windows XP Pro.  Yesterday, it suddenly would not boot (after about three years of properly working.  When I start the PC, it runs through the POST Process then through the WinXP Splash Screen.  The screen then flashes blue (as if loading the Welcome Screen) then goes black.  The monitor shuts off, but the PC stays on.  It is almost as if it is "sleeping" or in Power Save mode.

I cannot boot the PC, but I have not had time to truly troubleshoot the issue.  Re-booting the PC repeatedly does NOT send the PC into Safe Mode.  My first notion is the graphics card, but I have never seen this type of problem.  I don't think that it is the hard drive as the current one is only about a year old.  

Any ideas on where to start?

Thanks!

Christopher

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Asked On
2006-01-18 at 07:02:19ID21700974
Tags

screen

,

splash

,

xp

,

windows

,

boot

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
125
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: MicrotechPosted on 2006-01-18 at 07:04:18ID: 15729493

How many graphics cards does it have in the system? In the Bios what is the default graphics card?

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2006-01-18 at 07:11:25ID: 15729564

I would agree that it could be the graphics driver; but also maybe the monitor.  Can you get into Safe mode?  (Press and release the function key F8 as the computer boots up, until you get to the Advanced Options Menu, from which you can choose Safe mode.  Then go into Control Panel, Device Manager, and check if you have any errors shown.

 

by: cellis4766Posted on 2006-01-18 at 08:03:43ID: 15730098

It only has one graphics card (an nVidia gforce 2 - I think...) and it is the default.  There is not an on-board graphics card on the PC, only the AGP Card.

Could this be a monitor issue even if it is showing the POST info and the WinXP Splash screen?

I am not at home right now. so I can't check for Safe mode until I get there.  Thanks for the suggestions.

If anyone else has any ideas, please continue the thread.

Christopher

 

by: tijsjansenPosted on 2006-01-18 at 08:17:44ID: 15730241

LeeTutor gives the right start: Use F8 to get to the list allowing you to choose Safe Mode. It could be a monitor issue if the resolution is set too high once in XP. THe splash screen is only 640*480 (I think) so it could be a resolution or refresh rate issue. Post back if more problems once you tried Safe Mode.

 

by: cellis4766Posted on 2006-01-19 at 11:52:46ID: 15742083

I was able to troubleshoot this last night, I think that the CMOS battery is dead.  However, it will not reliably boot.  Sometimes as it boots, I see the BIOS Screen and Splash Screen, sometimes I only see the BIOS screen, and sometimes it is just black and will not boot at all.  When I see the bios screen and splash screen, I can get into safe mode.  But when I reboot the PC, it then refuses to boot.  

My question now is:  Will a dead CMOS battery cause it to lose some of its settings and cause some of the problems that I have been experiencing?

Thanks again...

C

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2006-01-19 at 14:50:20ID: 15743959

Well, if your CMOS battery is dead, it could certainly lose some settings that would be required for a successful boot, such as drive type and size and number of cyclinders, amount of memory installed, boot device order, etc.  Can you get into the BIOS to see if there are any invalid settings?  Also, if you can, write down any that seem valid, for when you replace the battery.

 

by: cellis4766Posted on 2006-01-24 at 06:06:38ID: 15775358

Just a wrap up - Once I replaced the dead CMOS battery I discovered that the Graphics Card was also bad.  You helped by giving me a place to start looking and I REALLY appreciate it.  Thanks!!!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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