XP Home Windows Repair from CD.

Hi tonyc39

 

Sounds like you have 2 windows folders, normal location is on C: NTFS partition?

 

What was the BSOD error code (something like 0x00000024)?

 

They have been different.

Some have been with no error codes at all just BSOD with the basic info.

The ones that have caught my attention have been the unmountable_boot_volume with a different code than the one you asked and kernel_data_inpage_error which popped up last night after I posted. Machine was kind enoguh to let me post my message before it BSOD'd on me :emotion-4: and I have not had a chance to google that error.

It’s not clear from information you provide if the problem is being caused by a hardware issue e.g. hard disk drive (HDD) or software conflict e.g. if two versions of Windows have been installed??

 

I’d suggest you first check hardware by running diagnostics by booting from CD-ROM drive using Resources (Drivers & Utilities) CD

Follow the on-screen instructions & select Express test option, normally only takes 10 minutes to run

When completed, if the “All Tests Passed” message appears then it shouldn’t be a hardware issue

 

If the hardware test is good, then knowing how/why/if there are two Windows operating systems installed may help?

The only reason I ask is, there may be two valid (dual boot) versions installed or one version may just be a failed reinstall version of Windows XP Home, causing the problems?

Before trying any repairs did you get a dual boot type Windows login option?

 

If there isn’t supposed to be two versions of Windows installed & your PC runs long enough without BSOD, then:

 

To remove a second installed Windows use System Configuration Utility

 

Click Start > Run then type in the term msconfig then click OK

Click on the BOOT.INI tab

If there are two versions you should see them listed under operating systems

Click the Check All Boot Paths button, this will find & remove any invalid installed Windows path

When finished close the System Configuration Utility

Reboot computer & check if second installed Windows has been removed

 

Reply if you need further clarification or if you have more questions/information before using the System Configuration Utility to remove a second installed Windows

 

Thanks Bellboy.

Once the BSOD symptons started, I started looking for info and printed some directions for running the windows repair from CD. The directions took me to the point of installing rather than repair whereby I canceled the process. This may account for the 2nd instance of the OS.

From the boot menu I tested the hard drive and it passed. The only hardware change was about one month ago when a new printer was installed. Once the BSOD started i was able to un-install it but it looks like the damage was done. I run ESET, spybot and Malwarebytes (These two I update every week) so if something got in, it went un-noticed.

I will print your instructions and will apply them tonight when I get home and post the results.

Thanks again.

Express test failed on the hard drive. One of the problems that was being experienced (and I failed to mention it in my first post, sorry) was that once the problem of the BSOD manifested, the hard drive status light stays on hard. Once the problem starts and subsequent attempts to reboot the machine are made, you cant even get past the boot of the OS without the system BSOD. Once the drive has been powered off for a while, it will boot the os and be opeartional for 10-20 mins and then it locks and you notice that the hard drive light is solid and eventually it BSOD's.

I let the machine sit off over night and reran the test going only to the hard drive part and it got into the read section about 10 percent into it when it failed. Subsequent retries all failed. Depending on which individual test I ran, the error code was different but the message was all the same, Device initialization failed: Timeout waiting for drive not busy.

The first 4 hex characters of the error codes were all the same, 00F00. Below are the diferent codes for the steps that check the HD:

Verify  1A28

Stop    0E28

Start    0D28

Smart  1228

Seek    0428

Read 0228

Device 0128

Confidence 1328.

Sorry for all the information but I figured more is better than less. Let me know if you are aware of any further tests or repairs that can be attempted. BTW, did not even attempt to go into determining the issues with the possible occurence of the versions of XP since the HD failed.

Again, thanks for all your input. 

 

Diagnostic results don’t look good, did you check rear panel LEDs for HDD failure?

 

When trying to fix/repair/restore or clean install Windows you should always disconnect ALL peripheral devices other than monitor, mouse & keyboard

So disconnect, printers, network connection & any upgraded hardware devices (e.g. RAM sticks, cards etc.)

 

Try the following:

 

Boot from CD-ROM drive using OEM XP SP2 CD

From Windows Setup screen (3 options), press the letter R key to launch Recovery Console

The command prompt appears C:\>

Type in chkdsk /r  (Note there is a blank space between chkdsk & /)

 

So screen display should be                     C:\>chkdsk /r

 

Press the key

Screen display should then indicate CHKDSK is checking the volume…

                                                    CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery…

 

If the utility runs the screen will display

 

(a) A % progress completed

(b) Results when complete

(c) The command prompt C:\>

 

To quit Recovery Console & restart the computer type in EXIT

 

The CHKDSK utility can take anything between 1 & 4 hours to run (depends on extent of damage/recovery)

Better to run it when you have some time (some leave it running overnight – not recommended)

 

If the utility doesn’t run or fails to fix HDD errors

Then your hard drive may be damaged beyond recovery   :emotion-60:

No visble error lights on the rear pannel when failure occurs other than the normal 4 green lights.

Before runing through chkdsk I ran through the boot.ini process and it did not list two instances of the OS. I went ahead and clicked Check All Boot Paths and rebooted.

Ran the chdsk utility with mixed results but the bottom line is it worked. Ran chdsk and first run went through 50% and died because of error (ran approx 25 mins). 2nd run died at 30% same reason (about 15 mins). Third attempt ran approx 4 hours and it ran to completion making repairs along the way and it completed succesfully. :emotion-21:

Booted this morning and was on for about 20 mins and clicked on shutdown. In the shutdown process, it BSOD'd :emotion-39:. Had to leave for the office so i could not do anthing else.

BSOD code on bottom:

Stop: 0X000000F4 (0X00000003, 0X8728B210, 0X8728B384, 0X8060566E) begining dump of physical memory. 

OK, at least some progress

 

Any report indicating a significant amount of bad sectors on HDD?

 

There might be files that chkdsk did recover but are still internally corrupt & files that chkdsk cannot recover

 

Something I should have said this earlier, if possible switch off/disable any security type software (in particular Anti Virus programs) when running chkdsk utility

 

Anyway, you should now defrag your C:\ drive after running a successful chkdsk /r

 

If defrag doesn’t improve matters:

 

There are lots of possible causes for the Stop error 0x000000F4 (0x00000003….)

They vary from computer power settings (hibernation/standby) to hard drive configuration (e.g. MS KB 330100), but unless you have made recent changes to BIOS settings, then I doubt it’s the cause?

 

Other possible causes relate to 3rd party services that are running or device drivers

To help eliminate these issues

Boot to Safe Mode & see if you continue to get BSOD errors

Open Device Manager & look for any yellow question marks or “bangs” against any devices

 

Reply if you need clarification/help

Attempted to defrag the volume and it BSOD'd in the process.

Was able to later login using safe mode and as the desktop was comming into view loading the stuff at start up, it BSOD'd.

I have not changed any BIOS settings. Unfortunately I had a commitment last night that limited my time so I did not get to look in the Open Device Manager for errors on any devices.

I will try when i get home tonight. I on Eastern time in the states.

Since it almost appears inevitable that I will need to replace the HD (although I am not ready to throw in the towel quite yet....), how difficult is the process of intalling XP from the Dell provided XP-SP2 CD? I have never actually gone through that process. Also will the Dell Resources CD function on a non dell supplied HD (probably not but i will ask anyways)?

Is reformatting the existing HD out of the question or will it not make a bit of difference?

If not already done?

 

Subject to BSOD interruptions you need to save ALL your personal data to an external device (e.g. USB flash drive) otherwise you will lose it

 

Then use Dell PC Restore by Symantec (a.k.a. DSR) utility to restore computer system to out-of-box condition without need for any CDs & the process should only take about 10 minutes

 

DSR utility procedure is explained here, print off a copy & read carefully

 

Above link includes another link if DSR utility fails here, in this case what “fails” means

 

If DSR utility fails to launch after pressing & keys during boot process

 

The cause is the Dell modified master boot record (MBR) is corrupt/damaged

Mainly as a result of reinstalling XP & overwriting MBR or reformatting HDD & deleting the DSR image partition

In more rare cases, the HDD boot sectors are physically damaged

 

But if DSR utility launchs & fails part way through or does complete & you still have BSOD problems

 

Then your HDD is more than likely toast   :emotion-9:

 

Otherwise you might want to open up your PC & check for loose/bad cable connections

Another culprit could be the PSU (power supply unit), but very unlikely if during BSOD incidents, you can still hear the fan working, Power On switch LED is bright solid green & rear panel LEDs are OK?

 

Doing an XP Clean Install can take more than two hours & normally fails if HDD is suspect

 

As long as replacement is a SATA HDD spec, then like most things you get what you pay for

If you have a particular make/spec in mind, create a new post & ask for “best buy advice” over on the general hardware forum here

 

Reply if you want to do an XP Clean Install or need further clarification

Hey BellBoy.

The restore was succesfull but when it rebooted the following message appears:

Loading PBR for descriptor 1...Done

Starting Windows 95

And the machine just sits, no hard drive light. Ran the repair and chkdsk /r and it ran in about 10 mins and it made one repair. The ran the resource disk to see if the HD would pass the test and the util does not even recognize the HD.

Again i ran restore with the same results and the second time around the message is:

Drive 0 not found: Serial ATA, SATA-0 Strike nthe F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.

Hit F1 and the message is:

No boot device available - strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility

In the Boot sequence next to the SATA hardirve it reads (not present).

Does not read very good. I'll wait to hear back.

Hi again Tony

 

DSR utility launches but didn’t restore computer system = hardware failure (normally HDD)

 

You may want to try an XP Clean Install but process will likely fail early on if HDD is suspect 

 

Sounds like your PC has only one HDD & is not RAID configured, if correct?

In System Setup (BIOS)

Under Drives if it shows – Drive 0: SATA-0 & make/model info

But in Boot sequence it shows – Onboard SATA Hard Drive (not present) & is not RAID configured

 

Then your HDD is indeed   :emotion-37:    toast     :emotion-60:

 

As mentioned in previous post (nothing to lose), open up your PC & check for any loose/bad cable connections, in particular HDD connection plugs at both HDD & mobo (motherboard) ends

Just be very careful not to damage/short any mobo parts (read User Manual)

bellboy,

Last ditch effort seems to have produced golden results.

Opened case and reseated all the cables and powered the puppy up. Booted from the resource cd and ran diagnostics on the HD and all tests ran. I was in shock so i ran it a couple of times and they ran ok. Ran chkdsk /r a couple of time as well.

Reformated drive because I could not get the factory restore option to work. It kept issuing the message I stated in a prior post about trying to boot W95.

Resintalled the OS all seems well. I will be getting in contact wi the eset folks so I can reload my antivirus stuff and then I will get all the windows updates that I need to get things back up to speed.

I will let you know in the next few days when I get things back to speed.

I am flabergasted that a simple cable reseating would do the trick.

Thanks again and I'll post my results in a few days.:emotion-21::emotion-2:

Great news then Tony    :emotion-2:

 

Hard drives do fail, but you’d be surprised how often loose/bad cable connections are the cause of drive device problems (I had that with two CD-ROM drives)

 

Can you click on the Suggest as Answer button in reply that helped resolve your problem, this will mark your thread with a Solved logo & will help other members looking for a solution to similar problem

 

Bell Boy    :emotion-5: