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xp home won't start in safe mode - beeps like morse code

I have a machine which has xp home sp1. I can't seem to get past the logon screen. Upon getting into xp it seems to hang. I was able to identify multiple dwwin.exe and drwin32.exe processes...I mean a lot. I try to end process and another starts....thus cant get the rest of xp to load. From looking at microsoft, it tells me to start in safe mode. Tried but goes to a black screen and a lot of beeping.

I have the start up disk (per the MS site) but I do not want to fully install. I only have the upgrade version of xp and I believe that you need a full install to use the disks.

I have tried to boot <F8> using the last known configuration prompt - no luck.

As I do not have a boot disk, is there another way to boot the machine so I can perform the restore option in control panel? Can I create a boot disk from another machine?

FYI - The CD is not a bootable cd and I am leary to play around in the CBIOS. As I haven't the expertise.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Franco2

LeeTutor

Can you get into Safe Mode with Command Prompt? Try using the Windows XP System Restore utility:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306084
HOW TO: Restore the Operating System to a Previous State in Windows XP

If you cannot get into Windows XP except in Command Prompt mode, you can run the System Restore utility from there also:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449
HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP

franco2

ASKER

Thanks for the info. Just tried to get into safe mode with command prompt, was able to start the logon as administrator. Then got a black screen and the beeping again.

Unable to get to a command prompt to try the alternative you suggested.

Any other thoughts?=) Franco2

LeeTutor

The beeping sounds like you have hardware problems. Is there a regular pattern to it, as when a computer's BIOS signals a particular problem has been detected? What kind of computer and what type of BIOS? See this website for some info on how to diagnose a problem that the computer's BIOS has found:

http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/13/1/

LeeTutor

You might try removing unneeded hardware peripherals and seeing if that causes it to become bootable again, at least in safe mode. Also, while you're inside the computer doing that, check to see if you have loose memory chips. If you have more than one stick of RAM, you could try removing one at a time to see if the bootability is recovered...

Fatal_Exception

Evening Lee..

Here is another link that provides information on beep codes. Perhaps it will help..

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

franco2

ASKER

Is it not true that bios type errors would beep prior to loading of windows? And if I am incorrect, why does the beeping only occur when in safe mode. If I load reg and try to logon xp seems to hang, without beep. I was able to identify multiple dwwin.exe and drwin32.exe processes. Are the beeps in safe mode comparative to the d*.exe processes in reg mode.

I am not sure what type of bios I am running and it is a Luxor machine - if this helps. Hoping that it is a software issue and not hardware....

I am able to boot from my cd and the windows setup will now run. When I try to Repair and it gets to the load windows from c:\windows, and I continue....the same thing happens. Is all lost and should I just reinstall xp. If yes, will I loose all my data? ie pics etc. Next problem, I have the upgrade version not the complete install - should I be concerned?

Thanks again Franco2

Fatal_Exception

As long as you do not format the drive, your data should be intact. You will need to reinstall all your apps though, as you will be starting with a fresh registry. But, that being said, if it were me, and I had another system around, I would slave the hard drive to it and copy your data over before going further with this.

And you are right, those codes are for posting, not an ongoing issue after the system is loaded. If this is what is occuring, I would be concerned with the motherboard, as this is probably what is making the beeps, and I have never experienced this, even with a bad board. And if this is so, even a reinstall of the OS will not resolve a hardware issue....

FE

Fatal_Exception

Regarding the Upgrade version, no problem... It will just ask you for the previous version's cdrom.. In other words, it will ask for your 98 cd, and then continue to install the OS after you 'show' that you in fact own the previous version...

franco2

ASKER

Okay I think I will try the slave thing...what does this mean and what apps and hardware do I need to do this? Also, is the machine in question able to be recognized by the lets say master - even though it can't logon to windows.

Any thoughts?
Cheers

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Fatal_Exception

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Fatal_Exception

Good luck.. and thanks..

FE