Failure to Start

[socmn99]

My friend brought me her laptob because it was failing to start windows. When you boot up the computer it loads windows than i get a BSOD and the computer restarts. The BSOD is on the screen for about 1 second before the computer crashs. I can load windows in safe mode and have run AVG, there were no viruses found. Any ideas?

[Statica]

What OS and service pack is she using? Would help us immensely ...

First thing to do is to turn off autoreboot on BSOD.
Boot to safe mode and go to CONTROL PANEL > System properties > ADVANCED tab > Startup and recovery section > Settings
Look in the Automatically restart section and turn off Automatically restart.
Next time you get a BSOD you will be able to note down the error code and either search online or post here to see if there is anything documented about the error.

Never trust just one antivirus when you are trying to troubleshoot. A good second opinion can be available from: http://housecall.antivirus.com Some spyware can also cause these errors if the person is using SP2 on a previously infected system. Run a spyware scan too if possible.

Have you checked the obvious startup lists to see if there is anything loading that shouldnt be?

Quick notes on troubleshooting:
1) Note down the error message and cross reference with incidents thru search engines
2) Check startup lists
3) Try to find what was installed last, or what was done with it last before it came to this, see if the last offending software or hardware can be uninstalled
4) See if there are any restore points that will allow a good system boot
5) Check with laptop mfger for any documented issues
6) You may need to look at more dire options if none of the above fail with a repair installation or worse.

[socmn99]

Thank you for your reply,

She is running windows xp home edition with service pack 2 recently installed, she is very bad about updating her computer, I turned off Automaticaaly resart but it still shuts down when you reboot.

[rjfvillarosa]

If she has installed SP2 on top of some spyware it can cause major problems, it might be better to uninstall SP2 and make sure the machine is squeaky clean before reinstalling it.

[socmn99]

how do i uninstall sp2?

[rjfvillarosa]

It can be done from Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel.

[glc]

You can also start it in safe mode and do a system restore - the SP2 install makes a restore point.