Loading XP freezes even safemode no username/pwd fields to try 2 login

[doowle]

Recently updated (mobo/cpu/ram) my mother's system, worked perfectly all day thru multiple reboots, then suddenly that evening it stopped booting all the way into Windows. Not gradual, was booting up perfectly and then not at all. WinXP starts to load, gets just past the WinXP logo w/black background splash screen, reaches the Win logo w/blue background & scrolling multicolor progress bar on bottom. But as soon as that screen loads it freezes. Never displays any usernames/password fields in order to attempt to login.

Cannot boot into Safe mode either, same thing happens. Starts to load windows, looks like it's going to work but gets just past the XP logo splash screen and locks up at same point again. Last Known Good Configuration same thing also, no change. Still freezes just past initial splash screen.

The ASR disk I made - and tested when I made it, %$#& - won't work unfortunately, I just get invalid disk error. I do have the Win XP cd, but I don't want to reinstall windows because my mom has all kinds of other programs on it for which she no longer has the install executables or license keys.

Most recent install/changes to the system were:
1) installation of ASUS Express Gate, BUT the system was booted up normally at least two or three times after that install.
2) Installation of Data Lifeguard Tools v11.2, the new hard drive install/drive copy sw from Western Digital that came w/her new WD 1TB Green drive. (I removed the new drive & her old backup data drives sometime after the problem started in order to do the drive copies on one of my systems, so now the only drive installed on her system is her original boot drive.) Had not used the install utility yet, did start a drive copy but cancelled the copy less than 1/10th of the way thru. Drive copy cancellation and program close both appeared to be normal.

Suggestions anyone? Thanks!!

System:
Windows XP Pro (not sure whether sp2 or sp3, probably sp2), OEM license
mobo: ASUS M4A78T-E with 2.6GHz cpu and 4gb ram
120gb Maxtor IDE drive, 50gb used/70gb free

 

[BadBigBen]

Sounds like a driver issue, or corruption...

first things first: Check all cables, unplug them and then replug them, so that their seating is correct and the contact it better... check the seating of the RAM, they could have creeped out just a bit or they may have been damaged (memtest) through ESD...

Run a MEMTEST on the system, e.g. MemTest86+ use the bootable CD/USB/Floppy version:

http://www.memtest.org/

also running the manufacturers drive diag tool will give an indication if the drive is damaged or not... in your case, Seagate Tools for DOS (Maxtor is part of Seagate)...

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/

boot up with the XP CD and enter the Recovery Console, there run the following Commands:

CHKDSK /R
SFC /SCANNOW

See Option 2:

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[linney]

Try ChkDsk /r from the recovery Console.

I don't think SFC /Scannow is a Recovery Console Command.

HOW TO: Re-Create a Missing Automated System Recovery Floppy Disk in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299526&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

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

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

That is a layman's version of KB307545 in simple language.

 

[BadBigBen]

I don't think SFC /Scannow is a Recovery Console Command.

yep, you are right Linney my mistake...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

In Vista YES. A good improvement from XP.