System Restore Crash

  • Thread starter Thread starter jel183\(UK\)
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J

jel183\(UK\)

Friend of mine was having modem problems on he 'Tiny' XP Home machine... I
attributed some of her problems to spyware etc. So I attempted to install
Adaware and Spybot, both of which failed. My next line of attack was to try
system restore back to a time when the modem was working ok. During the SR
process the machine rebooted as far as the XP Home screen and then shut
itself down. The machine now keeps restarting at this point. I have tried it
in Safe Mode and LKGC both of which fail - in fact I have tried every
option on the advanced options screen.

I have considered a repair install but it is an OEM installation and the
recovery disk only gives a factory reset option, which the tech guy said
would wipe all the files. I cannot do this as she as some files on the HD
whch have not been backed up (now she tells me!!!). My only option at the
moment is to have the files recovered professionaly then to a factory reset.

Could I try a repair install using an ordinary XP Home disk?

OR is there anything else I could do...?
 
No you couldn't as that would require the CD key and when not only tie the
system to that version of XP but would then cause a problem for the current
owner of that version of XP.

Try the following:
If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem. If you don't understand the information inside, the
third button down in that dialog box will copy the information,
you can then paste it into a message and post it here and maybe we can
figure out what is going on.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. Do not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft. *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well backed
up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point in
System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver update
and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore

Failing that, having an actual XP CD is a good investment for any computer
owner for just such purposes as you describe. Also, assuming you get things
functional again, teach this person about backups. Assuming they have all
their application disks, they need only back up their data files but this
incident should be a lesson to them about the importance of having their
data backed up. It is very empowering and even with an XP CD, a repair
install can fail and if it does, the only option is usually to wipe the
drive and start over which would delete all files on the drive.
 
Thanks for your comprehensive reply, the problem is I can't get it to boot
into windows by any means, it restarts itself at the Windows XP loading
screen (I don' know its correct title but its the one with the scrolling
green bar). I take it from what you say a 'repair' from another XP CD will
not work - so a factory reset using the PC's restore disk is my only option?
 
It's not your only option if the individual wishes to invest in an XP CD.
Beyond that, try the following before resorting to something as invasive as
the factory reset. Boot the system, start tapping F8 and do so until the
menu appears. When the menu appears, select "Last Known Good
Configuration," and press enter. If that fails to resolve it, see if you
can get into Safe Mode, follow the above instructions but select Safe Mode
instead of Last Known...

You can then try some of the diagnostics I previously posted in Safe Mode or
accept the option to use System Restore (It is offered immediately upon
entering Safe Mode) to try to take the system back to a time prior to when
this began. System Restore as opposed to the factory reset is similar to
application known as Go Back except System Restore only restores System
Settings to an earlier point. Once you've run System Restore, assuming the
system now boots to the desktop, you should then run the diagnostics I
previously suggested. You should also make sure any antivirus software is
up to date and run a virus scan as well as check for any malware on the
system, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com.
 
Yes, give it a shot, I forgot about this option and it may just work.
 
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