Always have to boot twice!!!

[Darce]

Whenever i reboot XP HE, it fails just as the welcome should come up. On reboot choose Start Windows Normally and it loads fine.
Also if i hit F8 and choose Start Windows Normally that works too!!

Have reloaded drivers rolled back u name it, any ideas?

 

[WTVA]

Have you tried a Restore point that may have been prior to this problem starting ?

 

[linney]

Have you tried logging your booting sequence to a text file for later study.

Start in Safe mode and choose "Enable Boot Logging" this creates a log file (Ntbtlog.txt) in the systemroot folder, which contains the file names and status of all drivers loaded into memory. Systemroot is an environment variable that can vary from one system running Windows XP Professional to another.

I'm not sure whether this log is appended to or overwritten at each boot. Trial and error will resolve this point. If it is overwritten at each boot you may have to copy it after an unsuccessfull boot by using the Recovery Console before any other boot.

 

[Darce]

Fair enough,
but has anyone ever got Recovery console to work, apart from loading a new windows directory that doesn't recognise your old settings. Sure the data's there but XP has to be told remember me!!!!

 

[linney]

Recovery Console might have been a mistake in relation to boot logging. I think enabling boot logging only stays in force for one boot, and then has to be selected again.

This might be impossible for you to use if going through Safe Mode gives you a successfull boot.


How is your Boot.ini file could this be the cause of your trouble?


Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - Q291980
A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q291/9/80.asp

HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition with Windows XP (Q305595)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

(In its own right Recovery Console is a good tool. Put this away for a rainy day.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.mediaworkstation.com/htm/homeset1.htm

Click on Tutorial then the Charlie White article on XP crash.
This is a laymans version of Q307545 in simple language).