automatic widows update

[PC101]

Well I haven't been here in quite awhile, and I've forgotten more than I ever really knew, but I have a problem that I have no idea how to solve. I have windows xp PRO INSTALLED.
I have automatic updates turned on and was prompted to update windows, so I did, it installed a security update, so after the install i was promted to restart to finish loading updates, as per usual I did.
However now windows won't load at all.
Please help!
Thanks,
Ron

[Statica]

Welcome back to PCM.
Can you load up XP in safe mode? If so, you can go to system restore and restore your PC to a configuration BEFORE your security updates were installed (If you havent unduly tinkered with System restore too much), ANY update by Microsoft ALWAYS involves the creation of a restore point BEFORE the update was installed.

[Rollorqueen]

I was going to say that too. But, just to let you know, PC101, that I had the same problem about a month ago. I had to work on it for a while before I could get INTO safe mode. But, when I did, I was able to do a system restore, this is found under, start, programs, accessories, and then System Tools, system restore.

[PC101]

well that's a problem as well, i can't seem to get it to start in safe mode, unless i'm doing that wrong, f8 correct? I've never had to restore this system before. It does start to boot but then just stops.

[PC101]

Thank you Statica and Rollorqueen for your replies. I'm fairly sure if I can figure out how to get it into Safe Mode, I'l be able to work it out. I've got the rubber hammer ready, just in case my frustration gets the better of me. ........KIDDING,
Ron

[rjfvillarosa]

An alternative but not recommended way of getting into safemode is to start your machine and shut it down before it starts to load windows, do this two or three times and it will auto boot into safemode.
I know you are saying it won't boot into windows but try shutting it down and restarting it as soon as POST finishes and any windows like activity starts.

[Statica]

Whoa .. I would not recommend that method at all rjfvillarosa - firstly, you are assuming that the person is running NTFS; if the person is running FAT - any version, we are asking for real trouble with the hard drive with lost data (there are read AND write operations to your system when you boot up - not just read). Even on a journalling filesystem like NTFS it is not to be done, you are simply leaving yourself open to a ton of troubles.

[Rollorqueen]

Have you tried F5? I read somewhere before that F5 works too, only taking you directly to Safe Mode rather than the selection screen that F8 takes you to. I haven't tried it, just read it.

[PC101]

I may have pressed every F key on the keyboard out of frustration, but I will try that later when I'm in front of it.
Thanks

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Statica Whoa .. I would not recommend that method at all

Thats why I said not recommended, didn't want to ring your alarm bells Stat but it does work as a major LAST resort, a little unorthdox I agree, but it does work.

[bailey]

with the speed of todays computers you must be fast on the key pressing.
the easyest way to do it is to start perssing the key as soon as you restart the system while its booting, if you miss the timming spot it won't work

[PC101]

does anyone know if I can get this thing to load or get in to safe mode thru CMOS? I can't for the life of me get there the conventional way,F8, But I can get to the CMOS Options?? I'm out of ideas, not that I had many to begin with, either way, thanks, every.one for the suggestions so far. I have only yet begun to fight

[PC101]

Well I finally got into safe mode, but can't load from there, I'm thinking that perhaps it's a hardware issue, don't know. When I select safe mode and hit enter, i get another screen with
multi(0) disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows\systems32\ntoskrnl.
multi(0) disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows\systems32\hal.dll
multi(0) disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows\systems32\KDCOM.DLL
ETC,ETC 9 lines of this stuff total, and then silence!
This all started after loading automatic windows updates and rebooting. Coincidence??? Or what??? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Ron

[digitalfreedom64]

Another option would be to make a repair install of windows. Should fix your prob and no data loss.

[PC101]

Well I did do an install repair (which i didn't really know about fully) thanks to this site and the people in it, our desk top PC is now back to functioning as good as always. Thanks again to all of you who responded.

Ron