POST Message 'Memory Size Decreased' - Windows XP won't start

Question

I'm running Windows XP on a Dell Dimension 3000.

On 7 August 2010 Windows failed to start after logging into my user account - blue screen with cursor but no task bar or desktop icons.

Can't start in safe mode other than safe mode with command prompt. That gets me to the DOS command prompt but on exit it won't take me beyond user account login. "Last configuration which worked" doesn't work either.

No previous installations prior to 7 August 2010 are available for system restore.

System error log's only messages from Setup screen since original installation (December 2004) are for 7 August 2010 showing "Memory Size Decreased" and "Memory Size Different". But BIOS is still showing 512MB memory as per original spec.

Can't back up files since I can't write to CDs from DOS command prompt so can't reinstall windows. I don't have any other storage medium with sufficient space.

Memory cards securely installed.

Any suggestions anyone?

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

ff sake,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Have you tried formatting and reinstalling Windows? You could have a virus on the system causing these issues. Since you have not reinstalled Windows since you have had this computer (2004) you may need to perform the format and reinstall.

theflash1932 · Answer

You are likely looking at reinstalling Windows, but before doing that, you can boot to your XP CD (as if to install), then choose R for Repair, then Recovery Console. Then, from the command prompt, type in the following, waiting for each to complete before typing the next one. The CHKDSK will take up to an hour, the FIXBOOT just a second or two.

CHKDSK /R

FIXBOOT

RoHe · Answer

Wait a nanosecond!! Before you do anything else, what color is the power button on the tower? Is it green or amber; solid or blinking? What color are the 4 diagnostic LEDs on rear of the tower? If not all green, look up the error code here.  Do NOT use the FIXBOOT command! If you do, you'll lose access to PC Restore (assuming you have it on your hard drive) which can reset the drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it with Windows, drivers and Dell's pre-installed software, all in about 10 min vs 2+ hours to do a clean install. But you will lose all personal files and any software you installed. Exactly what does that BSOD say? It frequently will point you at the offending hardware or software. How full is your hard drive? It's possible one of your RAM modules failed. Even though BIOS shows the correct amount installed, it's still possible one of them isn't functioning correctly. Reboot from your Dell Resources CD and run the hardware tests including the extended  hard drive tests. It's also possible BIOS settings got scrambled and passing incorrect info to Windows. Try resetting BIOS to factory default settings. Ron

Nikka.Hatchet · Answer

Wait a nanosecond!! Before you do anything else, what color is the power button on the tower? Is it green or amber; solid or blinking? What color are the 4 diagnostic LEDs on rear of the tower? If not all green, look up the error code here. Do NOT use the FIXBOOT command! If you do, you'll lose access to PC Restore (assuming you have it on your hard drive) which can reset the drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it with Windows, drivers and Dell's pre-installed software, all in about 10 min vs 2+ hours to do a clean install. But you will lose all personal files and any software you installed. Exactly what does that BSOD say? It frequently will point you at the offending hardware or software. How full is your hard drive? It's possible one of your RAM modules failed. Even though BIOS shows the correct amount installed, it's still possible one of them isn't functioning correctly. Reboot from your Dell Resources CD and run the hardware tests including the extended hard drive tests. It's also possible BIOS settings got scrambled and passing incorrect info to Windows. Try resetting BIOS to factory default settings. Ron Thanks for your effort! Now I understand more about it, It helps me out of the problem.

Windows General

POST Message "Memory Size Decreased" - Windows XP won't start

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