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Resolved Cannot load XP on boot up

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Jolly Roger, 2013/07/25.

  1. 2013/07/25
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have an elderly Packard Bell with AMD Sempron 1.84GHz processor, 80Gb hard disc, running Windows XP Service Pack 3. On boot up, it just goes in a loop trying to load. It gives the option of Safe Mode on the black screen and this loads ok. I have done a System Restore to the earliest possible date without success. Very occasionally, perhaps 1 in 15 tries, it loads normally. What would be my next step?
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #1
  2. 2013/07/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If it loads OK in Safe Mode, which loads only Windows basic drivers, then it is likely that a third party driver or other applet is corrupted or incompatible.

    I suggest you do a Clean Boot and see if you can isolate the critter.

    How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

    OTOH there may be an issue with the hard drive - you say that it is elderly (like a lot of us :)). Consider checking the drive with the drive manufacturer's disk diagnostic software (DOS version from a bootable CD) ....

    Disk Diagnostic Software ....

    ExcelStore

    Hitachi/IBM

    Samsung

    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

    Western Digital

    Toshiba
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2013/07/26
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    Right, here is the state of play! Tried the Clean Boot and still the same result. Then searched for Packard Bell Diagnostic procedure. Found System Recovery software and decided to use that. Went some way through and then got error message saying Windows file hal.dll was missing. This seemed a drastic situation since I couldn't even get Safe Mode now. Decided to use my Master Recovery disk to wipe the hard drive (all old files, so not important) and reload Windows XP.
    I now have a nice clean hard disk and factory fresh installation of XP.
    However, I have a new question!
    The USB drives do not seem to be recognised and I cannot connect to the internet by this means.
    Do I have to configure the USB drives in some way?
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #3
  5. 2013/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    When you look in Device Manager are the USB controllers and Root Hubs listed and, if so, have they an Explanation mark on a yellow ground against any of them?
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2013/07/26
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    Yes Pete, all four USB controllers have a yellow symbol.
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #5
  7. 2013/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    In that case I would delete all USB controllers & Root hubs through Device Manager and reboot to let Windows re-install them.

    A thought which occurs - does your master recovery disk include the chipset drivers for the motherboard? If not you will need to download them from the mobo manufacturer's web site.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2013/07/26
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    Looking at Device Manager, I have noticed that several items have the yellow symbol before them. These are .....

    Smart Link Voice Modem
    VIA Rhine II fast Ethernet controller
    Multimedia audio controller
    VIA CPU to AGP controller
    Plus the four USB ports

    You mentioned the Motherboard. I wonder if a failure here could have been the problem with loading Windows which was originally encountered?
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #7
  9. 2013/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Those entries suggest that the motherboard chipset drivers,etc have not been installed.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2013/08/11
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    This issue is still not resolved. I was unable to load any software, so couldn't try installing drivers. I have passed the computer to a friend, who hopefully will sort it out. I will report the outcome.
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #9
  11. 2013/09/29
    Jolly Roger

    Jolly Roger Inactive Thread Starter

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    The OS has been reloaded from the Master Disk and everything is working normally. There must have been a corruption the first I tried loading it.
    Thanks for the help.
     
    Jolly Roger,
    #10
  12. 2013/09/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome - glad to hear that normal service has been resumed :)
     
    PeteC,
    #11

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