XP won't start / freezes @ logon screen

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jan
  • Start date Start date
J

Jan

When turning on my laptop, XP freezes at the logon
screen. Although the cursor is flashing in the password
field, it won't let me type in my password. The
mouse/pointer is also frozen. I can't scroll horizontally
between the options below the password field, and I can't
scroll vertically between the user name and password
fields. I have the same problem when trying to start-up
in safe mode.

Is my problem similar to Brandon's (see 10/23/03 10.38 PM)?
 
Assuming you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, try a Repair
install as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.
 
I was afraid you'd say just that. I really hope my Compaq
provided recovery CD will permit me to reinstall XP on top
of the existing installation. I don't see why I should
have to buy a retail version of XP when I have already
paid for the license (I'm sure Microsoft doesn't allow
OEMs to sell OEM versions without being paid). In
particular since I suspect this all happened after I
downloaded XP updates the night before the trouble began;
i.e., I didn't cause this...
 
You are correct in your assertion.

Unfortunately, it is the hardware manufacturer's option to offer a recovery
CD as opposed to an actual or full XP install disk. Unfortunately, recovery
CDs rarely include the options to do a repair install or to use the recovery
console. It also usually prevents a user from using the System File Checker
option in XP to replace deleted or corrupted system files.

If you your CD won't allow you the options you need, I suggest you contact
Compaq. This is there issue and a direct result of a conscious decision
they made. They have the option to provide a full XP CD with all available
features. It is unfortunate most users are not aware of this until its too
late, when they actually need one of the missing features.

Most recovery CDs only provide for a format of the hard drive, wiping out
all previous information, reinstalling XP and returning the system to its
factory fresh condition, often including all other software bundled with the
system when purchased. It is less expensive for the system builder to
provide such a setup as they don't have supply the individual disks for all
other software they bundle with the system. While this can be enormously
convenient and offers a simple out for their tech support, "Just run your
recovery procedure," as users mature they require much more in the way of
options and such CDs also prevent the "clean install" of an upgrade. Since
the user cannot use the media to qualify, it must first be installed on the
hard drive and some bundled software for which, as you mentioned, you've
already paid a license, won't even qualify for upgrade, requiring the user
to purchase the full version regardless.
 
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