Windows XP (SP2) will not boot

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Guest

I allowed my system to shut down normally and then shut off the computer.
When powering it back up I get a message "A READ ERROR HAS OCCURRED", and
windows will not come up.

I ran the western digital "quick scan" on the "C" drive with no errors.
Looks like I may have lost some windows files, not sure.

1. How do I create a disk to boot my computer in DOS mode only so I can run
other tests on my C drive?
2. Any other suggestions on how to fix this problem without reinstalling
windows XP?
 
If you installed XP in an NTFS partition then booting with a DOS boot disk
will do you no good - DOS cannot read NTFS partitions.

You could also boot from the XP CD and do a repair install.
 
Jonathan said:
I allowed my system to shut down normally and then shut off the computer.
When powering it back up I get a message "A READ ERROR HAS OCCURRED", and
windows will not come up.

I ran the western digital "quick scan" on the "C" drive with no errors.
Looks like I may have lost some windows files, not sure.

1. How do I create a disk to boot my computer in DOS mode only so I can run
other tests on my C drive?
2. Any other suggestions on how to fix this problem without reinstalling
windows XP?
Click to expand...

A "read error" message usually indicates a physical problem with the
hard drive, but it passes the manufacturer's diagnostic then it is
probably something with the data structure such as a cross-linked
file. You probably need to run CHKDSK /R on the drive.

There are 4 ways of doing this:

1. Soime computers with preinstalled Windows XP (Compaq is one) have
a startup menu that flashes for just a second or two when the computer
is powered on. One of the choices on this menu is to boot to the
Windows XP Recovery console. If your computer has this theen that is
what you need to do.

2. If you have a Windows XP installation CD rather than a "System
Recovery" disk or partition supplied by the manufacturer then you can
boot your computer with this CD and choose the Repair (Recovery
Console) option from the CD boot menu.

3. If your computer has a 3.5 inch diskette drive then you can
download a set of 6 disk images from
http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=310994 and use these diskettes to
boot the computer.

4. You can download Bart's PE Builder from
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ and create a bootable Windows XP CD. Boot
the computer with this CD and open a Command Prompt window.


Then when you have the computer booted with any of the 4 above methods
and it is at the command prompt enter the following command:

CHKDSK C: /R

That should resolve any problems with the disk data structure.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
Ron I ran CHKDSK /R on the drive. No errors. Here is what I've done to-date;

NOTE: I shut the system down normally, then powered it down.

I have been unable to boot windows ever since. When I try to use the
"Windows CD to recovery disk, it's asking me for my "Admin password". When I
enter it, it says, the password is no good. I am the admin and know the
password but it still does not work.
Is there any way around this so my Windows CD recov will run?

Oh, one other thing;

I replaced the C drive about six months ago (80 geg to a 250 geg). So, what
I did was to put the old drive back into the computer, and it comes up fine.
I change the jumpers on the drive I am having the problem with, and it comes
up as the slave, drive "D". I can see all the files on the problem drive, all
tests run fine, but it will not boot windows. Is there a way to repair the
"D" drive while windows is up and running on my old drive "C"?
Also, is it possible to find out what the Admin password is on the "D" drive
since I can see all the files on it?

Help ASAP
 
Thanks Jerry. It is a NTFS partition.

This is what I've done to-date;

I shut the system down normally, then powered it down.

I have been unable to boot windows ever since. When I try to use the
"Windows CD to recovery disk, it's asking me for my "Admin password". When I
enter it, it says, the password is no good. I am the admin and know the
password but it still does not work.
Is there any way around this so my Windows CD recov will run?

Oh, one other thing;

I replaced the C drive about six months ago (80 geg to a 250 geg). So, what
I did was to put the old drive back into the computer, and it comes up fine.
I change the jumpers on the drive I am having the problem with, and it comes
up as the slave, drive "D". I can see all the files on the problem drive, all
tests run fine, but it will not boot windows. Is there a way to repair the
"D" drive while windows is up and running on my old drive "C"?
Also, is it possible to find out what the Admin password is on the "D" drive
since I can see all the files on it?

Help ASAP

--
JD


Jerry said:
If you installed XP in an NTFS partition then booting with a DOS boot disk
will do you no good - DOS cannot read NTFS partitions.

You could also boot from the XP CD and do a repair install.
Click to expand...
 
Ron;

The chkdsk /r ran fine, no errors. Windows still will not boot.
I downloaded the bootable disk files from Microsoft for Windows XP (sp2),
which is supposed to fix the "Admin password problem". The password problem
still happends, but with one difference. When I just hit the "Enter key", it
brings me to the "C drive promt" (c:\winnt>). When I enter the "Help cmd", I
get a selection of cmds to choose from, like "fixboot, systemroot, fixmbr,
chkdsk , bootcfg, .....etc. Do you have any ideas ??????.

Jonathan
 
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