i suspect a failing drive here.
run the diag you need from : http://www.tacktech.com/di
also running Burnintest can provide you with more info : http://www.passmark.com/do
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Question
why will a pc boot to the Windows XP loading screen and then stop?
I've got a Compaq Computer with Windows XP, a few years old.
Sometimes it boots to the desktop and sometimes it gets to the XP loading screen and then the screen goes blank and does not get to the desktop.
It is not the monitor.
What can be the issues here?
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Answers
also, bad capacitors can cause erratic symptoms ; check for bulging or leaking ones on the mobo, and PS
info : www.badcaps.net - or google bad capacitor, or capacitor problem
Does your laptop have a recovery install utility?
Try booting up a few times without the battery installed. Just use the power adapter. When laptop batteries start to fail they can cause many pesky problems.
Run your anti virus and anti spyware utilities. (Hopefully they are installed and up to date.) Then run sfc \scannow to repair system files.
sorry nickq5. On bootup press F8 to load the Boot Manager and select Enable Boot Logging. Boot windows into Safe Mode and read the log with a text editor like Notepad. ntbtlog.txt file records every step of startup in the \Windows folder. The last entry in the log is likely the cause of the problem. Again, I ask if your computer has a recovery or repair function from the manufacturer. I know HP computers have a recovery/repair partition preinstalled on the hard drive but I am not familiar with Compaq.
pln1146:
Again, I ask if your computer has a recovery or repair function from the manufacturer.
.............I do not know, it is not my computer and I've never used it.............
.............even on my own computer I do not know if any of my computers the last 15 years, have had a recovery or repair function, never heard of that term.........
To access the recovery partition on hp computers it is necessary to repeatedly press the F10 key during boot up to bring up the recovery application. Compaq may use the F11 key. If this works, follow the onscreen instructions to do a recovery reinstall for your computer. Try this and let me know if it worked.
Check out this support page from Compaq. You can find options to recover your computer. They state that you have a recovery partition already installed you can use to recover your computer.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/
I can not connect this computer to the internet.
pln1146: On bootup press F8 to load the Boot Manager and select Enable Boot Logging. Boot windows into Safe Mode and read the log with a text editor like Notepad. ntbtlog.txt file records every step of startup in the \Windows folder.
.........I did this and I'm on the desktop. By the way F10 got me to a screen with 5 options at the top and maybe 20+ options in total. I looked at that link on recover and I do not see the word "partition" in the article. I do not know how to create disc, etc.
start > run > \windows > ntbtlog.txt reveals many drivers not loaded. But, so far there have been 4-5 bootups and all were successful in taking me to the desktop. Like a car with a problem that goes away when you arrive at the mechanics shop.
When I selected "enable boot login" then the enter key, it took me to the desktop but not in safe mode.
Since I got to the file does it matter that I'm not in safe mode?
What could I do with this list of non loaded driver's?
OK. What I understand is that your computer is now booting up as normal? Is it possible to post the screen shot of the ntblog.txt you mention? I would also recommend running sfc /scannow, a utility that will check and repair your windows operating systems files. Go to START, Programs, Accessories, and Command Prompt. Type in sfc /scannow. Then, when the Scanning options screen appears, again type SFC /SCANNOW. I hope this works for you because sometimes /scannow demands that the operating system disc be inserted. Another thing you can do if the computer is booting up is to check your device drivers. Open Control Panel, select System and Devices. Go down the list and any device with an x or exclamation or question mark on it, right cllick it and select Update Drivers.
well, it booted fine all 5 times I did it, of course I was pressing F11 and F12 (F 12 by mistake trying to remember from your post) then went to F10.
How to post a screen shot? The computer can not be connected to the internet, it is a dialup and I have cable modem.
I can try the sfc/scannow and check device drivers.
The only disc I have would be my own Windows XP disc for a re-install but the computer can not be connected to the internet and backup, etc. creating CD's I am not familar with.
On the previous look at the ntbtlog.txt, the list was VERY long, but it repeated the list of non loading drivers many times. At the top of the list were drivers that loaded and at the bottom were drivers that loaded, in between maybe dozens of list of the same list of non loading drivers.
I could manually write a list of the non loading ones and post here. One was legacy, one was processor, a wide range of items.
See if this applies for your computer and give it a try.
The HP Recovery Manager can install, or reinstall, individual hardware drivers and software that shipped with the specific PC model. There may be other unsupported third-party applications that are factory-installed on the PC. Consult the manufacturer's installation instructions for any third-party programs that were purchased separately.
Use the Recovery Manager to install individual drivers or applications, or reinstall corrupted applications, by following the steps below.
1.
Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field. Select Recovery Manager from the list when it becomes available. Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.
Alternately, click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.
2.
Click Advanced options , Software program re-installation or Hardware driver re-installation , Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the desired software programs and hardware drivers.
After installing the driver or application, restart the computer.
start > search does not give me a search box, it gives me the stupid search companion doggy.
The only choices on the left are files, folders, pictures, documents, etc. I chose files/folders and it found no recovery manager.
start > all programs, there is no recovery manager in there either.
I looked in accessories > system tools. No recovery manager.
you said this is for HP....THIS computer is a COMPAQ.
It is using Windows XP.
You posted on 10/28 that you were able to get into the recovery application by pressing F10 during bootup. Don't worry about looking for the word "partition". Just select any of the services you find that may be helpful with repairing the problems you are having. Study each option carefully and make an informed decision. HP and Compaq are good with resolving issues with their computers.
if you want, i can post more details for ubcd , find it here http://pharry.org/data/ubc
put it in a separate folder (eg UBCD) and unzip it.
then you have the ubcd ISO file
burn it to an empty cd with an ISO burning tool (in nero, in the backup section)
then boot from cd
(see messages at the bottom)
F10 got me these:
Compaq Setup Utility
File:
system info
about
set time and date
save to diskette
restore to diskette
set defaults and exit
ignore changes and exit
save changes and exit
Storage:
device configuration
storage options
IDE DPS self test
boot order
Security:
setup password
power on password
device security
network service boot
system IDs
master boot record security
Power:
energy saver
time outs
energy saver options
Advanced:
power on options
onboard devices
PCI devices
bus options
device options
pln1146:
where do you suggest I look?
nobus: if you want, i can post more details for ubcd , find it here http://pharry.org/data/ubc
put it in a separate folder (eg UBCD) and unzip it.
then you have the ubcd ISO file
......I'll do the above and hold off on burning............
Check your drive first. Choose Storage. IDE DPS self test. Select the drive to be tested. I assume you have only 1 drive in this computer. Follow the screen prompts to test the drive. When the test is completed codes will appear. A successful test is code 0. Test Aborted code is 1or2. Drive replacement recommended is codes 3-14. Let me know how the test comes out. Then we can move on.
Searching for Compaq Recovery Manager insights, I found this forum with comments which may relate to your problems. You mentioned your Search function does not open. Can you access RUN from the Start Menu?
http://forums.techarena.in
pln1146:
Click Start and enter Recovery in the search field.
..........I'm not sure what you mean by search field...........there is a search option where the cute little dog "search companion" searches for things. It found no recovery folder.
You mentioned your Search function does not open.
..........search DOES open but the word "recovery" finds no folders, files, etc.
On the left side there are choices to make as to what you are searching for. You said "recovery".
Is that a folder, document, image, the "search companion" must know what is beiong searched for.
I chose folders/files and "recovery" yielded no results.
Yes, there is a RUN option.
nobus:
I think I've got that file saved, and un-zipped
pln1146:
from that link, I'll try: For that you need to click on your Start menu, then need to select Run and then need to type in C:\CPQS\QUICKSR\FRESTORE.E
that link has 3 replies, the 2nd is system restore which I've not tried, but I have no idea how long the problem has been present, unless I restored to the earliest date possible.
the 3rd comment seems no value.
I'll try the "run" thing (from here: http://forums.techarena.in
and do a system restore to the earliest date.
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by: KCTSPosted on 2009-10-16 at 17:09:10ID: 25594226
Normally a hardware issue when either the hardware itself, or the driver fails to initialise. Press F8 and boot with the boot logging option and look at the log - see http://www.watchingthenet.