window xp startup problem

Hi!
Can anyone help me or give me an idea of what to do coz i don't know what else to do to fix my computer. i have window xp home edition pre-installed in my computer, last week while i was using it, its just turn off by itself when i restart the computer the monitor shows the dell logo and microsoft home edition logo but after that the monitor screen turn to black...so i turn if off again and restart this time i enter in safe mode...i run the anti-virus and adware but it didn't find anything...i also search the help and support and follow the instructions there but it didn't solve the problem..i've tried restoring but it doesn't want to do it, i run IDE diagnostic it pass...i run chkdsk it didn't find anything either..so i reinstall the window xp but its still the same doesn't want to start...so i search in internet for more info i read about the event viewer...when i run it in my computer this is the result:

*the following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load:
Fips
Processor

*DCOM got error: "This service cannot be started in safe mode" attempting to start the ServceEvent System with argument: "in order to run the server: {1B1F766-5536-11D1-B726-00C047FB926AF}

Can anyone give me an advice on how to fix these errors...i will appreciate it very much....


Tsurfer

 

Hello Tsurfer and welcome to the Board,

To get you started,

Does SR go into its dialog - shows the dates? Do you get a message from System Restore?

Try SR from a command prompt: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449&sd=tech

Regards - Charles

 

Thank you for your help Charles, but sadly it did not work, I forgot to mention that trying to fix the problem, I deleted the hard drive's partition, formated it and installed windowsXP again and still the same problem, that's why I think the restoring option did not work...

 

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did you try f-2 you can reload defaults factory recomended. you can check them all and see. if any help. last known good config. if there was one. f-8 you have choices like directory restore - safe-safe w/ net, safe cmd prompt. and f-12 has options also. http://kellys-korner-xp.com/xptweaks.htm might have something for you.

 

I did a search and found this thread:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=20557
seems very similar, but was solved with a reinstall.

My thoughts would be:
A fresh install has not solved the problem. There will be no third party programs involved, so they will not be to blame. It would seem to be hardware or drivers. Running standard drivers will work in Safe Mode, loading a full set of drivers for normal Windows will not.

You should check the hardware first. The screen goes blank, but I take it that it does not shut down. Does the LED on the monitor indicate that the signal has been lost (the monitor thinks the computer is turned off)? Try another monitor.
Does harddrive activity suggest it is still booting? (Do Ctrl+Alt+Del -> Alt+S-> Enter, does the computer shut down?)

Remove any added hardware...PCI cards, etc.

Open the case. Is it clean? (Check the heatsink over the CPU, loosen the dust, take the case outside and blow the dust out, look for dust in the air vents/intakes). Start up and check all the fans are spinning freely (and the fan in the power supply).

Go into the BIOS settings at startup. If there is a setting "Defaults "/ "Setup Defaults" use that, then I would try reinstalling Windows again.
Look for a setting Quick Boot or Quick POST (it may be easier looking in the User Manual) set this to Disabled or No. Edit: Replace the CMOS battery. On systems I have seen where "Quick Boot" is set as a default, if the battery is low you will get the same problem every time unless you change the battery then disable Quick Boot (the system does not check for new hardware, it loads what was installed at the factory).

Matt

 

Hi Matt,...thanks for your help....Well...as you said, a fresh install did not solve the problem, no third party programs involved, the LED on the monitor indicate that there is still a signal, Hardware and cards removed,BIOS settings to default,CMOS battery replaced, choosed Quick Boot, and Still the same problem....

 

I forgot to mention that the monitor goes black but its green light stay on, I do the Ctrl+Alt+Del but it does not do anything at all, the monitor's green light stay on and computer still on as well....By the way...I am using the computer right now for writing this message; it is a Dell Dimension 5400. I'm in safe mode with networking...the problem is just does not allow me to start up normal mode; nor even after I erased the HD, formatted it and reinstalled windows XP and tried everything else....

 

Yes, I did try all those but does not work....thanks anyhow

 

You get a blank/black screen as the system loads normal Windows. It boots into Safe Mode OK. It will be the graphics/display adapter or the monitor. Did you try using another monitor?

Hopefully, it is only drivers and not a fault in the hardware.

I can't find a Dimension 5400 at Dell,
www.dell.com/support
If it has an AGP slot, you should be able to use an AGP add-in card if the graphics hardware is faulty (you should borrow one to try first).

Anyway, you should check the drivers.
Go to Device Manager, highlight and uninstall anything listed under Display adapters or Monitors.
When you reboot (to normal Windows), the New Hardware wizard will run. Click Cancel. Same if runs for the monitor, but letting one or the other of those run should tell you which piece of hardware is causing the problem.
Clicking Cancel will allow you run in normal mode using standard drivers. From that Dell link, find and install the chipset drivers they recommend, then the graphics drivers (if you are running the original hardware).

As I said, if the graphics hardware is faulty and motherboard has an AGP slot, you could get a modest AGP graphics card to run in it.
If it is getting old consider getting a new machine. Dells are considered the best of the branded computers and I considered one for about 5 minutes before deciding to build my own. Building your own is a snap nowadays and you are not limited to running "their" equipment or doing things "their" way and using "their" software.

You should also try the Dell Community Forums. Some of us know Dells, but not a lot of us.

Matt

 

Thanks again Matt.....and yes, it is a Dell 4500, sorry about that...Well..I have not yet tried another monitor or video card BUT I did as you told me and uninstalled what was listed under Display adapters in control panel and when I rebooted....yes...it finally went to normal Windows....GREAT!....but it works only if I give a restart to the computer because if I shut it down and after waiting couple of minutes I turn the computer on, it still have the problem...but anyhow at least I consideer that's one step forward to resolve to problem...I did download the drivers for the adapter display which is 32MB ATI RAGE 128 Ultra but it didn't do anything....for sure the problem has something to do with the display drivers or the video card...Yeah..Dells computers are from the best of the branded computers, if I have to buy another one for sure would be another Dell....Thanks again....

 

Oh well, minor success, so far. Standard display adapter drivers have not been "set" in normal Windows. You will need to either keep clicking Cancel in the New Hardware wizard or set the display adapter drivers to standard (don't expect to play any 3D games )
In normal mode, go to Display -> Settings and check what is set as the Display Adapter. There it will have a picture of a monitor and underneath

These will be the standard drivers.
You can either run the Add Hardware wizard in Control Panel or uninstall the devices again in safe mode and use the Add Hardware wizard that runs at boot.

In the wizard, go to "I will select from a list ", you will need to select one of the (Microsoft) "standard" drivers and should appear at the start of the display adapters list (I have had varying success, it may or may not be standard PCI drivers).
If you "set" a standard set of drivers you will at least be able to boot into normal Windows every time. If you get to a blank screen, uninstall the drivers in safe mode again and try another "standard" driver.
_____________________________________________________________

Did you find and install any updates for the chipset drivers? (Intel call them an "INF update ".)

Matt

 

But Matt....sorry my ignorance...How do I know wich one (chipset driver) work for my computer?....Intel 845 chipset?

 

Don't worry about that. My 'ignorance" was at the same stage as yours. Nobody was born "knowing" computers.

See if this link works:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&libid=27&fileid=48256
Dell uses Internet Explorer.

Matt

 

Well.....thanks....I guess we all began knowing nothing after all.....and everyday we learn something new....in every aspect of live...

I will try the link, if that doesn't work, I will try another monitor and video card this coming weekend and will come back to let you know the results...

Thanks a lot
Felix

 

Hope you get some luck.

Don't let it get you frustrated. If you get stuck in one way, take a break, think about the possibilities, then try another avenue.

Matt

 

Hello again; here are the results:

Installed the updates for the chipset drivers for the adapter display 32MB ATI RAGE 128, then I enabled the display adapter, still the same but the letters and icons seemed lot better when in safe mode 32bit color quality compared to previous 16bit....but then....I borrowed a monitor and....that resolved the problem...hehe....but THEN....
my question would be: Does that means I have to buy another monitor?.... but the previous monitor still turn on and off and seemed working perfectly, at least in "same mode ".....

 

Some progress (a lot maybe), very well done. I would suspect drivers before blaming the hardware (the monitor). You did remove the drivers for the monitor (while in Safe Mode)? Was there anything listed in Add (or) Remove Programs that may have related to "controlling" the monitor settings...I am thinking of graphics "control panel" software and maybe those from a previous graphics card. They could be trying to set the monitor to settings outside of it's range (basically, the resolution and the refresh rate).

It may be just a matter of finding updated drivers for the monitor.

Using my nVidia "control panel ", it knows the make and model of the monitor, if I set extreme settings for the monitor I know will put it out range, it will make it unworkable. If you boot to Windows and a startup program wants to make settings outside of the hardware's capabilities it will fail.

Set the monitor up on another computer and do some testing, that will confirm if it is a hardware problem.

Matt

 

I removed both the drivers from the adapter display and those from the monitor.....What you are saying about the monitor sound very logic,If I am not mistaken I think I saw a warning message from the computer telling me something about settings outside of it's range and...my mistake...I did not mind them 'couse I did not understand what the computer was telling me..... Anyhow,I will try to install the drivers for the monitor and will put back the original monitor to see what happens....will be back later...

 

"Out of range "...you may not have any success with the updated monitor drivers.

You may need to reduce the "settings" for it to work.

Use the old monitor. There should be a "graphics control system" in the system tray, reduce the settings (probably resolution), then shutdown, connect the new monitor and see if it works.

Matt

 

Hello, long time I don't post a reply, but there have been improvements with my problem..I guess I got tired of trying...too busy with personal stuff

Results:
Yes,...Now I can enter windows normally and exit normally as well....that problem has been resolved, Great!...I am using the original Dell monitor and the original 32mb ati rage video card and windows tell me they are working correctly...

BUT then, the only problem I have is that the screen got smaller than it should be (there's a black border in the outside perimeter of the windows screen) Icons are TOO BIG and altought I am using 32 bit colors, I can't lower the screen resolution of 640 x 480.....I've been using the computer like that since the last time I so far

Any hint?, please let me know...

Thanks
Felix