Windows XP Boot Problems

[peedo_deedo]

hello everyone. i need help regarding my PC. i am having problems booting up. it seems like everything works fine until i see the windows xp logo with the black background. once i get into that part, it seems like nothing is happening. i even tried waiting for about 10 minutes and still nothing is happening.

i tried to boot in safe mode and it works but it is very slow for the first 3-5 minutes.

here's the specs of my PC

AMD athlon 2900+
512 PC3200 DDR
160 Gb Hard drive
256 Mb memory
ABIT KV7 V motherboard
2 DVD Rom Drives (1 being DVD RW)

please help me ... thanks

[rjfvillarosa]

Did you build this machine yourself?
Has this been happening since Windows was first installed or is it a new problem?

[GaryRouth]

Quick fix fun (while waiting for your answers to rjfvillarosa's questions - which will greatly help troubleshooting) -

If this is a new build -
-make sure ACPI is enabled in the Bios
-try things without the DVD drives attached
-make sure you've loaded your motherboard's chipset drivers, and any drivers for onboard devices you are using (disable any that you are not)

If this computer has been running fine for a long time:
-try a System Restore from Safe Mode (choose a restore point from before the slowdown
-try thorough antimalware scans from Safe Mode
-try a Checkdisk
-try starting up without any odd USB peripherals that aren't essential (such as memory card readers, web cams, printers, scanners, etc.

These are just frequently seen things that can cause frustrating slowdowns. There are so many things possible, that we'll need as much info as you can give us, to help us guide your troubleshooting.

After you answer rjfvillarosa's questions, I have one too: if this is not a new machine, did you add/change anything just prior to the slowdown?

Best of luck!
. . . Gary

[peedo_deedo]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa Did you build this machine yourself? Has this been happening since Windows was first installed or is it a new problem?

first of all, thanks for the reply.

i build this machine myself. actually my PC has been working fine. i was doing my routine internet browsing before this happened (checking emails, reading news, browsing the usual websites i usually go through). i didnt install anything new either, hardware or software.

i hope this will help you a little. thanks again

[peedo_deedo]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Quick fix fun (while waiting for your answers to rjfvillarosa's questions - which will greatly help troubleshooting) - If this is a new build - -make sure ACPI is enabled in the Bios -try things without the DVD drives attached -make sure you've loaded your motherboard's chipset drivers, and any drivers for onboard devices you are using (disable any that you are not) If this computer has been running fine for a long time: -try a System Restore from Safe Mode (choose a restore point from before the slowdown -try thorough antimalware scans from Safe Mode -try a Checkdisk -try starting up without any odd USB peripherals that aren't essential (such as memory card readers, web cams, printers, scanners, etc. These are just frequently seen things that can cause frustrating slowdowns. There are so many things possible, that we'll need as much info as you can give us, to help us guide your troubleshooting. After you answer rjfvillarosa's questions, I have one too: if this is not a new machine, did you add/change anything just prior to the slowdown? Best of luck! . . . Gary

thanks for the reply gary...

i will go ahead and start doing what you suggested. hopefully it will help me.

i actually thought about doing a fresh installation on this PC since i was able to back up all my important files anyways. but i also, i wanna know if this is a software based problem or hardware, (with your help of courese). it's hard for a beginner like me (HAHAHAH) to figure this out since before all of this happened, my PC is doing just fine. i didn't install any software or hardware before this happened.

thanks again for your help gary

[GaryRouth]

It could be either hardware or software.

If hardware: the cause could be a power surge (which can cause damage to components, or somewhat rarely: change Bios settings), or something like a sharp jolt to the system, or overheating.

If software: the likeliest trouble is spyware/trojan/virus infection. The second likeliest is driver/resource allocation trouble for devices.
_______________________

Since you were running fine, then experienced a sudden change: make sure to try scanning everything as much as possible. If you still have Internet access, try a visit to HouseCall http://housecall.trendmicro.com [you may need to allow it's ActiveX control to let it scan]. Try a system restore. Empty your Temporary files, both the Internet Temporary files, the Windows\Temp files, and the Documents & Settings\"main user"\Local Settings\Temp. In the Advanced/Security tab of "Internet Options" (for IE) make sure that the item "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed" is selected.

A complete erase of the drive (zero-write), repartition, reformat, reinstall will of course most thoroughly eliminate unwanted visitors. But you'd have to scan your backups carefully before restoring them, so that things don't get reinfected from compromised backup data.
___________________
If you suspect hardware:
-make sure the Bios settings are OK (have your motherboard manual for this, and for extra Bios setting guidance, see Adrian's Bios Optimization Guide http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=7&var1=18 )
-check your temps
-run diagnostics on the hard drive (from the manufacturer's website - or if you still have the CD that came with the drive, the diagnostics are either on the CD or can create a diagnostic floppy diskette) and the memory (MemTest86 gets recommended a lot http://www.memtest.org)
-make sure all cards and memory sticks are seated well in their slots
-don't forget to take precautions against static shock while working in the case (unplug the power cord, ground yourself [or wear a wrist-strap]) before handling anything inside the case)
-try the flaky USB peripheral check - if everything is suddenly OK with a certain USB device unplugged - post that info here.

Good luck
. . . Gary

[peedo_deedo]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth It could be either hardware or software. If hardware: the cause could be a power surge (which can cause damage to components, or somewhat rarely: change Bios settings), or something like a sharp jolt to the system, or overheating. If software: the likeliest trouble is spyware/trojan/virus infection. The second likeliest is driver/resource allocation trouble for devices. _______________________ Since you were running fine, then experienced a sudden change: make sure to try scanning everything as much as possible. If you still have Internet access, try a visit to HouseCall http://housecall.trendmicro.com [you may need to allow it's ActiveX control to let it scan]. Try a system restore. Empty your Temporary files, both the Internet Temporary files, the Windows\Temp files, and the Documents & Settings\"main user"\Local Settings\Temp. In the Advanced/Security tab of "Internet Options" (for IE) make sure that the item "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed" is selected. A complete erase of the drive (zero-write), repartition, reformat, reinstall will of course most thoroughly eliminate unwanted visitors. But you'd have to scan your backups carefully before restoring them, so that things don't get reinfected from compromised backup data. ___________________ If you suspect hardware: -make sure the Bios settings are OK (have your motherboard manual for this, and for extra Bios setting guidance, see Adrian's Bios Optimization Guide http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=7&var1=18 ) -check your temps -run diagnostics on the hard drive (from the manufacturer's website - or if you still have the CD that came with the drive, the diagnostics are either on the CD or can create a diagnostic floppy diskette) and the memory (MemTest86 gets recommended a lot http://www.memtest.org) -make sure all cards and memory sticks are seated well in their slots -don't forget to take precautions against static shock while working in the case (unplug the power cord, ground yourself [or wear a wrist-strap]) before handling anything inside the case) -try the flaky USB peripheral check - if everything is suddenly OK with a certain USB device unplugged - post that info here. Good luck . . . Gary

wassup gary... i tried rebooting with all my USB devices unplugged and some of them even uninstalled. nothing happened.

i also tried the selective startup from MS config, i did a process of elimination to find out which one is causing the slowdown, still nothing happens.

and let's not forget that no matter what i do, i can only reboot in safe mode, in normal boot up, my computer hangs on the windows xp logo.

i finally decided to do a complete installation. everything seems to be fine until i hit the part wherein the installation files are being copied. i was getting an error that says extrac32.exe files cannot be copied... my first instinct was there's something wrong with my hard drive. i check the voltages using the ABIT utility, and everything seems to be within normal range.

i downloaded the diagnostic software from Maxtor using my other computer and after running it, sure enough it says that my hard drive is failing. it gave me a diagnostic code (although it didnt give me a detailed information) and was given instruction on how to contact Maxtor for a replacement (since my hard drive is only 2 months old).

but here's the weird part. just because of the thought that i wanna play with this hard drive. i started making partitions. i created a 120 GB partition and a 40 GB partition. After that i thought maybe i'll give it another try to install my OS... sure enough it worked but honestly speaking i dont know why.

im hoping your expertise will give me an answer or answers for this weird scenario ... give me more advices so this won't happen to me next time.

take care, and thanks a lot again

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

I'd run the Maxtor diagnostics again. My guess is that it will still find errors. The install may have worked on the 2nd try simply because it hasn't yet hit any of the bad sectors.

Since Maxtor guarantees their drive, the safest way to go would be to go ahead and get a replacement. The drive you have might still give you trouble down the road, even if you've avoided the bad spots for the moment.

To make sure of what the error code means, you can always call Maxtor, or check at their support website for details.

If time is a factor, and you can spare $40-$50 (USD), you can grab another 160gb drive - there's a rebate mentioned in last weekend's papers (though I can't remember if it was Maxtor or Western Digital) -- then you'd have a drive to use while you wait for the Maxtor's replacement - which you could either keep (for the ~300gb total formatted system storage capacity between the two drives) - or sell locally.

Once you have a good drive, seems like you should be fine. You'll probably have to re-activate your WindowsXP, but that only takes a minute.

. . . Gary

[peedo_deedo]

thanks gary, i would actually go ahead and get a replacement. i understand that im a little lucky right now since i haven't touch the bad sectors of the drive. hopefully everything will be alright after i get a new one. im also looking for another hard drive right now to use while waiting for the replacement. i might go for a small capacity maybe 80 GB.

thanks a lot for your time and support.