Can't boot into Windows XP, even Safe Mode

Question

I have crashed my children's computer trying to install Roxio Easy Media Creator 9.  The OS is Windows XP Home.   Now when it boots, I get the screen which says Windows didn't shut down properly, and to choose between Safe Mode, Last known good configuration, etc.  No matter what I choose, I get a bunch of lines of 'partition' text, then a 'blue screen of death' error page.   When I boot from the Windows Home XP installation disk, I get the options to 1 - reinstall, 2 - restore or 3 - cancel.  Thus far I have only chosen restore.  I then am asked to give the administrator password and get a C:\WINDOWS\ prompt.  I have tried typing %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe as suggested by Microsoft, but the command is not found.  I have tried moving to the c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\RESTORE\ directory and running rstrui from there (I can see the program when I type 'dir') but it still says invalid command.   Any ideas on how to get my computer up and running?   Amy Smith

mombodog · Answer

I copied this from a thread here a while back, and made a text file to save it, I have never used it but it apperars to be a legit method. Post back if it works or not.

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

Connect your non-bootable hard drive to the other computer.

Open Windows Explorer. Click on Tools|Folder Options|View. Check the box beside "Show hidden files and folders". Apply your change.

Navigate to the d:\System Volume Information folder ( d: represents the crashed drive letter).
You will see a folder named something like _restore{.........} the dots represent an alpha-numeric sequence.

In this folder you will see folders named RP0....RPnn. Find the one with the highest number.
These are your System Restore points. In the highest numbered folder you will see a folder named snapshot. In this folder are registry hive files which you need to recover your system:

_registry_user_.default
_registry_machine_security
_registry_machine_software
_registry_machine_system
_registry_machine_sam

Create a subdirectory; i.e, d:\Windows\TMP. Copy these files to the TMP subdirectory. Rename them:

default
security
software
system
sam

Note: Be sure to lose the period (.) in the file named _registry_user_.default
Delete the files in the d:\windows\system32\config subdirectory with the same names.
Copy the d:\windows\tmp files to the d:\windows\system32\config. subdirectory.
Put your drive back in its original system. Your system should start normally. If you get the same error go back and choose another folder ( RPnn-1) and repeat the procedure.

3dimension4500 · Answer

I would do a repair on XP.

mombodog · Answer

3dimension4500,   Re-read the OP's post, they tried that, and cannot.

Kenshinffx · Answer

It might help if we could get the lines of partition text..   We may be able to get a better view if we had that?

RoHe · Answer

When it asks for the password, just press Enter. Ron

amycsmith · Answer

They fly by in a screenful of DOS messages.  Any way to 'catch' the messages?

amycsmith · Answer

Sorry, I reread my post and it isn't clear.    I can get past the password prompt by pressing ENTER like you suggest (after choosing R-restore from the Windows Setup menu).  After that, I get the c:WINDOWS prompt, and I can't run rstrui.exe from there.   If this is supposed to help people recover from Windows XP crashes, it sure isn't self explanatory!!

mombodog · Answer

Try the pause key to pause it, the esc key to continue.

RoHe · Answer

You may have to do a Repair/Reinstall of XP. Personal files will be ok, but you will have to reinstall all XP updates and hotfixes again.

Boot from XP CD. Press ENTER at first screen. Do not press R at first screen. You should see XP user license appear. Accept the license and press R on the next screen for Repair/Reinstall.

When the repair is done, make sure antiviral software and firewall are running. Then go directly to MS update site and download all XP updates and fixes again. Don't surf or read email until you get the updates installed because you'll be wide open to all the malware that's out there until XP is updated.

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 03-29-2007 08:37 PM

amycsmith · Answer

I'm getting closer!!!   Tried RoHe's suggestion, and have now gotten to an install screen where it asks for file 'asms' from Windows SP2.  The reinstallation disk is SP2.  It can't find the file on the CD, apparently.   Any suggestions?   (Dell Forum has gotten me farther than Microsoft, so far!!)   Amy

RoHe · Answer

This is getting painful. :(
Simplest solution may be to boot from XP CD using your other optical drive, if you have a second one, and run the repair from there.

If no 2nd optical drive or that doesn't help, read these for suggestions:
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=19820&query.id=26471#M19820
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=177010&query.id=26471#M177010

Ron

3dimension4500 · Answer

@mombodog wrote: 3dimension4500, Re-read the OP's post, they tried that, and cannot. Sorry, I should've read it more carefully. That's what happens when one gets older. :-)

Windows General

Can't boot into Windows XP, even Safe Mode

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