WIN 2K

Hi,

Has anything changed on the machine? Try restarting it and booting into safe mode.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

Does the same thing in safe mode, never quite makes it, does the password and then stops

If you control Alt delete deos task manager come up.  If so you can run a program from there.  Have a look in eventvwr.exe, laucnh a cmd.exe if needed, might be able to start explorer.exe etc.
Steve

Check those entries specified in the below article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555648

This should help you troubleshoot the isuse.

If that doesn't resolve and computer boots up properly in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking then follow the steps outlined here:

1.      Go to Safe Mode.

2.      Start Registry editor > navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal

3.      Save/Export this key to SafeBoot.reg file

4.      Next navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services

5.      Save/Export this to Services.reg.

6.      Now edit SafeBoot.reg in notepad or wordpad (make sure you disable word wrapping) > next

Find all the entries with:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal

and replace all with the following:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

7.      After replacing all entries save SafeBoot.reg file and double click on it.

8.      Now restart your computer in Normal Mode. It should boot.

Got into event viewer and getting consistent errror in: Service Control Manager

What errors.... that is a general error, probably saying it can't start services, possibly due to other issues or possibly unrelated.  You can dump the error numbers into www.eventid.net if you wish.

Steve

Error:  The folowing boot-start driver (s) failed to load
SYMTDI

You may require a repair install of win2k.

I would also do a hardware Diag and the hard drive and MB.

I hope this helps !

That is part of Norton by the look of it.  If you can get regedit to run through task manager or whatever try this :

http://www-jerry.oit.duke.edu/pc/xp_dhcp_client_wont_start.html

is that the only error in there?  Does the Start button and explorer come up eventually or are you running eventvwr from task manager as suggested?

That is the only error:  I am running thru task manager as suggested!

I would try uninstalling Norton from the Task Manager.

File> Run> Control Appwiz.cpl

Does it let you run explorer as suggested if you type explorer.exe into the run box?

will not run explorer, I can get to appwiz.cpl but the symantec/norton is the only thing that the radio button is not functional:  grayed out

Had to admin passwords, tried the other one and I am able to remove Symantec Antivirus, will let you know what happens

Still same issue, explorer just flashes for a moment and the just the background and mouse arrow.  I can do the three finder salute and gewt tak manager, etc.

Are you still getting the same event log error ?

error:  Service Control Manager: PNEM service failed to start

PMEM

http://www.paraesthesia.com/blog/comments.php?id=856_0_1_0_C

Now error Cdralw2k

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315345

and

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php

Oh well don't reward any of the troubleshooting... I guess you 'had' to reinstall in the end then?