Can't boot windows-any ideas

Cris_L

Cris_L

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Hi guys I know this isnt a pc help forum but just in case anyone has encountered this before I'm making a quick cry for help.

I last used my pc on Monday, seemed fine. Today I tried to turn it on and it won't start windows either in normal mode or safe mode.

I don't know how or why this has happened, I do have av software but I'm still wondering if a virus is most likely.

Is there any way I can get into it to do a restore from a few days ago?

Fortunately most if my docs are backed up.

Cheers

I'm running xp if that's any help.
 
Does it come up with the chance to use "Last known good configuration" ?

If so, try it a few times.

It does sound though that your MBR is faulty and you may need to use your windows disc to repair it.
 
No it's kaspersky av that I have. Someone I know reckons it's a virus but that they had years ago which caused the same problem. I should imagine a full reinstall is on the cards :-(
 
Mikesphotaes said:
Does it come up with the chance to use "Last known good configuration" ?

If so, try it a few times.

It does sound though that your MBR is faulty and you may need to use your windows disc to repair it.
Click to expand...

I've tried that a few times, same problem. Just seeing if I can use the windows disk to sort it now. Fingers crossed.
 
what happens?

does it reboot? does it blue screen? does it hang on a black screen with flashing cursor?

more info please!

id doubt its a "virus" to be honest, most malware is designed to gather your details than break your system.
 
My guess would be it hangs on the windows screen with the wee blue bar stuck.
 
Sorry for the lack of info.

It gets to the windows screen where the blue bar goes along the bottom, and then restarts. Just keeps doing that over and over.

Same in safe mode and last settings that worked. I ave a second hard drive installed that I used a copy of norton ghost on when I first got the pc and that boots fine. Although it doesn't work properly I think due to the ghost not working like it should. But I can access the other hard drive from it.
 
sounds like it might be bluescreening then instantly rebooting..

the problem is with XP you cant disable autoreboots without getting into windows.

if it is bluescreening id suggest hardware and/or driver issues, at a long shot a dying hard drive. do you update your drivers through windows update and have you done it recently? has anything changed hardware wise recently? etc
 
Last known good is a ONE step undo feature that works on the registry, therefore it can be used once for that successful boot.

Seeing as you cannot boot, it will only undo one step. However, from your description it sounds like a possible memory fault. You could try carefully removing a memory module and attempting a reboot. Don't touch the contacts of the DIMM and try to earth yourself before proceeding (touch a water pipe/central heating pipe or rad. Oh yeah, unplug the pc :)
 
you could also try memtest for faulty memory, it will need putting onto a bootable disk however.

or you could try downloading something like "ultimate boot disk" which has a load of tests you burn to CD and boot from.
 
sounds like a hardware issue to me.

the joys of pc's no logical answer normally works
 
Well after much messing about I've done a full reinstall and so far seems to be working ok. Just gotta get all the programs back on later tonight.
 
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