Can't Boot Windows XP.....

Question

I turned off my computer one night and the next morning when I tried to start it up again, it said 'We apologize for the inconvience, but Windows has failed to succesfully start up......' and then it gives me options of how to start up Windows XP (Safe mode, Safe mode w/ command prompt, Last known good configuration, etc,) but no matter which option I choose the same thing happens. It'll display the Windows XP loading screen for about 2 seconds and then a blue screen will show up saying that....   'A problem has occured error and Windows has been shut to down to prevent damage. If this is the first time seeing this message restart your computer. If you see this message again, take the following steps: Disable/ uninstall any anti virus software, disk defragmentation or back up utilities. Check your hard drive configuration and check for any updated drivers. Run CHKDSK/F to check for hardrive corruption and restart your computer. ***Stop:0x00000024(0x00190203,0x82BAE848,0C0000102,0x00000000)'    I've tried pressing F8 when the BIOS was loading and using the advanced options and I've ran all the diagnostic tests that were there and passed all of them.... Does anybody know what's wrong or has had this happen to them and fixed it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

razal · Answer

Alright then, how would I go about obtaining a copy of Windows XP. The lil' slip that came with the computer said that I didn't require an operating system or drivers CD. I went to the link on the slip (support.dell.com/pcrt) but it didn't have any info on getting my copy.

RoHe · Answer

If this is a recently purchased system, contact Dell Tech Support (email or chat is easiest) with your Service Tag number and insist they send you the XP CD plus all Drivers & Utilities CDs and software CDs for your system. It was probably a $10 option when you purchased the system, but you didn't choose it.

That piece of paper refers to PC Restore which will reset your system to exactly the way Dell shipped it, but you'll lose ALL your personal files, software you installed and all XP updates. If everything is backed up on CD, PC Restore is the fastest way to get out of this kind of trouble, but you'll still have to reinstall the XP updates and software you added. You can access PC Restore by pressing Ctrl-F11 before XP starts to load.

Ron

RoHe · Answer

Try booting from your XP CD. You may have to go into BIOS setup (press F2 before XP starts to load) and change the boot sequence so CD is first on the list. Put the CD in the drive, save the change and exit BIOS setup.

If it boots from the CD, follow the prompts to start Recovery Console.
At C: prompt type in:
chkdsk c:/r
(press enter)

When it's done, reboot, go back into BIOS setup and put hard drive 1st in boot sequence again. Save the change and exit. Hopefully, it will boot from the HD now.

Read this too:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=228888

Ron

razal · Answer

To my misfortune, my warranty has expired so I decided to go for less costly option and complete a full system restore. I pressed CTRL+F11 and went through the entire process correctly. Now the problem is that whenever I try to start Windows it'll freeze at a black screen with a lil' blinking line in the far upper left corner. I've tried pressing F8 and using the advanced startup options, but whenever I try one of the 'Safe Mode' start-ups, it'll tell me that 'The System installation is not complete.' and then it'll reboot. I tried to start with 'Last known good configuration', but it'll say that I'm missing the file 'Windows\system32\config\system' and to repair it by putting in the Windows installation CD and pressing 'r'. Problem is, I can't that now either........ Goodness, is there a way around this or is my PC completely wrecked?

RoHe · Answer

Sounds like your registry got corrupted. Ctrl-F11 should have fixed that kind of problem. You could try Ctrl-F11 again. But if that doesn't help, you'll need an XP CD to fix the registry so request the CD from Dell Tech Support. If they won't provide it, you may have to buy a new copy of XP. There are discounts for students so if you know anyone at a local university... Be careful about buying at places like eBay because they may not be legal copies.

When you get the XP CD, go to this link, select your version of XP and it will provide step-by-step instructions to repair the registry.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dn=1068335

Best of luck!

Ron

BBu · Answer

I have the same problem, I ran chkdsk /r and now the blue screen disappear. But windows still not works :o( now I received a little pop up´s saying " Error to start an application because a file not found, SHLWAPI.dll" after that the system reebots, once and again, and again, and again... I try every safe modes but I haven´t lucky.

Any ideas?

Tnkx

RoHe · Answer

BBu
Boot into safe mode (press F8 before XP starts to load). If you can get to desktop run full scans for viruses and spyware.

I also saw some posts saying Microsoft's update KB867282 is the problem and you have to use Add/Remove to uninstall it and then download and install again.

Ron

Windows General

Can't Boot Windows XP.....

Was this post helpful?