Cannot boot into safe mode and can not repair XP

I am not very good with computers and need a lot of help.

Whenever I try to boot the computer off the hard drive safe mode for not a missing file error message appears Inte instructing me to use the recovery console to fix the problem.

When I use my recovery disk and it boots the recovery console fine. The if I choose R for recovery it exits me out to a black screen with only one selection. The second I enter one I get the blue screen of death and this message: IRQL not less or equal.

The solution to this error is to boot in the safe mode. Unfortunately as you can read I am unable to boot into safe mode.

Whenever I tried to do a reinstall from the recovery console the second I hit F8 to agree to the terms I get the blue screen of death with this message:IRQL not less or equal

 

I have had a faulty RAM module cause similar problems. Have you got more than one RAM chip in your PC. Maybe worth removing one and trying again Then trying the other if that fails. Or download Memtest and boot your PC on that disk to check your memory, if you can still access a working PC

http://www.memtest86.com/

 

Hello gonzo and welcome to the Board,

There should be a Stop Error when the BSOD occurs. Can you post that number, it would help in narrowing down the cause, which can Hardware as Blackheart mentioned, or a driver problem.

For examples: http://www.aumha.org/kbestop.htm

If you mean re installing the OS, this is how: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

A Repair install of the OS: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Regards - Charles

 

Checked the RAM and everything is OK with the memory.

Here are the three error messages I get:

When trying to boot into safe mode or a normal boot:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

When I try repairing through the recovery console: BSOD IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL at the top of the screen.
and
STOP 0x0000000A (0x0A12000F, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x807D5FF9) at the bottom of the screen.

When I tried doing a reinstall through the recovery console: BSOD IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL at the top of the screen.
and
STOP 0x0000000A (0x0A27000F, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x807D5FF9) at the bottom of the screen.

I made a BART PE boot disk, it works but I don't know what to do with it.

 

Hi gonzo,

You may have a peripheral device that caused this problem.

Disconnect the printer and any USB device.

Try getting into the BIOS - can't tell you how on your particular system, on Dell its tapping the delete key on boot up. Once in the BIOS, disable all USB devices.

If after that you can boot, follow the instuctions in this MS KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Regards - Charles

 

It is a stock HP laptop. All OEM parts and using zero peripherals or PCMCIA devices.

 

This is a registry corruption issue.

There is a self-guided MS KB article that is quite good: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307545

The same advice in plainer English can be found here: http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

Note this step assumes that you had System Restore enabled. If you did not have this enabled, only a full clean install of XP or a repair reinstallation are your options. For a repair reinstallation, see this tutorial: http://www.informationweek.com/LP/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897&pgno=1&queryText=

 

I get the BSOD the second I press F8 in the recovery console.

I can get the system to boot and get to the C: prompt using Bart PE.

 

This is the registry corruption error:

Your 0x0a errors might be related but are more likely a hardware device. I know it is a laptop, but unplug everything you can, reboot, and try for Recovery Console again.

 

There's nothing to unplug. I have nothing plugged into it and have added no internal hardware everything is OEM.

 

Hey Bill, must be good if we both posted it


Gonzo, how old is this system? Is it still under warrenty?

If so, I suggest contacting HP.

If not:

Try re installing the OS if you have an OS disc or an HP supplied restore disc.

Another idea would be a disc diagnostic program usually supplied by the OEM maker of the HD. If you know the maker, I suggest you do that. If not, maybe HP has one on their site.

Regards - Charles

 

Computer is just out of warranty. Based on the little computer information I have I think this is the main problem

I can get to the C: prompt using Bart PE if there's any way to fix this problem.

 

See if you can get into System Restore with a command prompt http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449&sd=tech

If you can get that far, this will only work if as Bill posted SR is enabled on your system.

If this doesn't work, then you are left with either the repair or full re install of the OS.

Do you have either the XP Cd or HP recovery discs? Have you backed up?

If not, this being a latop, tough to hook the HD up to another system. If I were facing this situation, there are either cables that you can connect to another system via USB (SATA or P(ATA) on one end and a USB connector on the other, or 2.5 drive enclosures for USB connections. In either case, the HD would have to be physically taken out of the Laptop.

Regards - Charles

 

I must be am idiot where do I enter
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
Do I enter it after C:\> or C:\windows> and do I need to type the %

I can also use the run box in windows using Bart PE

 

%systemroot% is a generic way of refering to the OS partition - the command is: C\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Regards - Charles

 

The problem with using Bart in this circumstance is that the System Restore service may not be running.

Check to see if it is or not if you have problems.

In any case, what you want if you cannot get into System Restore, is to get access to the System Restore storage points so that you can recover the registry hives System Restore has saved.

 

????? HOW

 

I believe you should be able to make this change with Bart.

From MS KB 307545, a favorite of Charlesvar and myself:

You can then use the rest of the article to replace the actual registry hives. This is essentially a copy operation from here on out.

 

I appreciate you is helping me I made it all the way to step 10 without issue but

10. From the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to the C:\Windows\Tmp folder: "¢ _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT
• _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
• _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
• _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
• _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM

11. Rename the files in the C:\Windows\Tmp folder as follows: "¢ Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULT
• Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY to SECURITY
• Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE
• Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM
• Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM


I copied the files from the folder but I'm not sure what where to copy them to. I cannot find a C:\Windows\Tmp folder.

 

Please print out and study:
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en

I just snipped a portion that was relevant to using Bart to access saved registry hives in System Restore points.

The whole article explains that as one of the first steps in the whole process, you create several new folders, including C:\Windows\Tmp folder.

You are doing fine. Take your time.

Regards.