Windows XP crash. Error message only flashs for a second. Boots in safe mode

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim
  • Start date Start date
T

Tim

Maybe someone can help,
My system froze and I was forced to restart (as
occasionally happens) but now I can't get the thing to
boot in anything but Safe Mode. During the reboot
attempt, a blue screen with what may be an error messages
flashes for a second but I can't get it to pause so I
can't read it. I've gone into the msconfig menu and tried
a clean boot as per MS's instructions but it still
happens. What can I do? I'm getting extremely
frustrated.Thanks,
Tim
 
Tim

Move to Linux SuSE 9.1 ...
But seriously, did you check for viruses?
What was the latest thing you installed?
Did you try to fix the boot sector?
 
Well, the last thing I installed was the Service Pack one
update for Windows XP but it dind't crash til after 2
reboots. I'm not sure how to fix the boot sector (or what
it exactly is) as I'm a total novice. If you mean the
BOOT.INI in the msconfig menu, the soft mode box is
unchecked. I can't run my virus program while in safe
mode but my last scan was after the latest installation
and no viruses were found. I do have continous spy
ware/mal wear problems that I have to run Ad aware and spy
bot S and D several times a day.
Thanks,
Tim
 
Yup. What happens is that after a nearly complete boot,
the blue screen flashes and then the message that "we are
sorry but windows did not properly start" comes up and you
can select the different safe modes, normal and last known
good menu. I've tried that and the same thing repeats
until I select safe mode. Is there a way to pause or
freeze the screen when that blue message is up? Maybe I
could read it and figure out what the error is.
Thanks
 
Yup. What happens is that after a nearly complete boot,
the blue screen flashes and then the message that "we are
sorry but windows did not properly start" comes up and you
can select the different safe modes, normal and last known
good menu. I've tried that and the same thing repeats
until I select safe mode. Is there a way to pause or
freeze the screen when that blue message is up? Maybe I
could read it and figure out what the error is.
Thanks
 
Yup. What happens is that after a nearly complete boot,
the blue screen flashes and then the message that "we are
sorry but windows did not properly start" comes up and you
can select the different safe modes, normal and last known
good menu. I've tried that and the same thing repeats
until I select safe mode. Is there a way to pause or
freeze the screen when that blue message is up? Maybe I
could read it and figure out what the error is.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Event Viewer captures most error reports for later viewing. Double click on
any item marked with red or yellow and that has a time stamp that coincides
with the startup errors.

Start> Run> eventvwr.msc

You could also try turning off the auto restart under System properties>
Advanced> Startup and Recovery> Settings> System Failure. This might stop
the auto-restart (manual restart required instead) and leave the error
message on the screen. Sometimes this error message varies from what is
recorded in Event Viewer and gives additional clues.

If you made a change to the system right before this problem started, try
reversing that change or consider using System Restore to roll back to a
point in time that the problem did not exist.

More suggestions:
Since the error is at startup, use Start> Run> MSCONFIG to review the
startup group. Also check services for anything new that until recently was
not present.

Also use antivirus program that has current virus definitions and scan all
files. Use AdAware, Spybot Search and Destroy and CWShredder to check for
malware (adware, spyware, scumware, foistware, etc).
 
Tim said:
Well, the last thing I installed was the Service Pack one
update for Windows XP but it dind't crash til after 2
reboots. I'm not sure how to fix the boot sector (or what
it exactly is) as I'm a total novice. If you mean the
BOOT.INI in the msconfig menu, the soft mode box is
unchecked. I can't run my virus program while in safe
mode but my last scan was after the latest installation
and no viruses were found. I do have continous spy
ware/mal wear problems that I have to run Ad aware and spy
bot S and D several times a day >Thanks, >Tim
Click to expand...

Tim, this may be it & it may not be it. If you are a total novice,
and you telling me you are getting service pack 1 suggests just
starting out too, then you might have picked up some kind of virus or
worm by just logging onto the Internet & being there. It only takes a
few seconds! This can happen if you are not running a "firewall".

If you are running a firewall, then ignore the rest of this reply.

1st, you need to enable your XP firewall. You must always run with a
firewall when connecting to the Internet. Why Windows XP does not
come default with the firewall engaged is the stupidest thing.

Enabling it might even let you boot normally, but I doubt it at this
stage. To enable XP's firewall, go into
start\control-panel\network-connections.
Right click on what is in there (you are using dial-up? right click
on that), then go to "advanced". Then check the box that says
"protect this computer bla bla bla".

Now if you can go to Windows updates in safe mode, do it to make sure
you have gotten all of the "critical" updates (don't worry about the
non-critical updates). If there are lots of critical updates, only
get one or two at a time, in order, and install them, then go back &
get more.

You say you cannot engage your anti-virus software in safe mode.
Again, I don't know what the limitations are, but if you can get on
the Internet in safe mode, then go to a web site, like "Symantec"
(Norton). Somewhere there, you can find a page that will check your
computer from their web site. Have it check for worms & viruses. if
you have something, it should offer a fix for it too. (no charge).

Big Mac
 
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