Freeze at logon screen w/ no users

Boots up until login screen but shows no users and freezes completely.

Safe mode will not boot. Stops at IOMDISK.SYS. I downloaded a newer copy from Windrivers.com, no change. Renaming the file causes BSOD.

Booted install CDROM, repair function scanned hard drive but made no difference.

Short of reinstalling from scratch, any ideas? Thanks!!

 

Can you get into BIOS?

Johanna

 

Recovery console and several of the commands there might help starting with fixboot.

 

xp startup freeze

Yes, BIOS is available - think a setting changed?

I believe fixboot just writes a new boot sector? It does load quite a ways, all the way to the user logon, just no users showing.

Can I go in via the repair console and remove all users except perhaps admin?

 

ericblz - you are correct about the very limited (and very early-in-the-process) changes for fixboot. But not a bad start since it's possible to have minor problems there that can cause odd happenings and if not, no harm. Could also be a boot.ini file problem and bootcfg (more recovery console stuff) can safely look at, report on, and change that file even when it's messed up enough to prevent a normal system startup.

I was hoping you would take a look at the recovery console and the various options it offers. I was also hoping to work you thru some non-destructive things before doing any that would cause data loss like removing some existing users will. And FWIW, the system can do strange things if you remove that pesky Guest account.

But it may well come to some removals. Hope not and want to exaust other ideas first but .....

It would really help if you posted the specific information you get on the BSOD screen.

 

Here's a shot in the dark:
At the welcome screen with no users, try contol/alt/delete twice and see if you can get into the real admin account. If it works, the screen will go black, and a little box will pop up. Type administrator and then your install password (not your regular log on one) and if you can get in, you might be able to fix it from there. Post back and let us know.

Johanna

 

Logon screen freeze

Thanks, no luck - it's solidly locked. I'm going to put in another drive and reinstall clean. SIGH.