1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Resolved Computer Doesn't Boot Up or Restart Normally

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Ann, 2013/08/27.

  1. 2013/08/27
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    Hi

    URGENT: I need help and would appreciate any given.

    Computer will not start up or reboot without first going to black screen with three choices:

    MS Recovery Console (do not select this [debugger enabled])
    Microsoft Windows XP
    bad /safeboot:network

    the bad:safeboot: network is selected and if I press enter computer will boot into Windows. If I do not select anything, the computer will boot into Windows after 27 seconds.

    Please can anyone tell me what is wrong and how I can go about fixing this.

    TIA :(
     
    Ann,
    #1
  2. 2013/08/27
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/05/01
    Messages:
    4,012
    Likes Received:
    16
    I would say something edited your C:\Boot.Ini file.

    Use Notepad to open C:\Boot.Ini. It is one of the hidden protected files so you may need to enable viewing Protected System Files in folder options to find it.
    Right click on Boot.Ini and select Properties, uncheck Read Only if needed.
    Edit the Timeout line to zero, per my example below.

    timeout=0

    Then save.
     
    markp62,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2013/08/28
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks for your reply. I searched for this file but only find:

    boot.ini.SAB, boot.ini.backup and boot (configuration settings in Documents)

    Is any one of these the one you refer to?
     
    Ann,
    #3
  5. 2013/08/28
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    Download BootCheck.exe to your desktop.
    Unzip downloaded file.

    • Double click BootCheck.exe to run the check
    • When complete, a Notepad window will open with some text in it
    • Save the Notepad file to your desktop as BootCheck.txt
    • Copy the contents of BootCheck.txt and post it in your next reply
     
    broni,
    #4
  6. 2013/08/28
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/05/01
    Messages:
    4,012
    Likes Received:
    16
    No, but it does tell me something has been saving backups of the file for you. Here is an easier way. Go to Start, then Run, and type in this command, and press Enter.
    Code:
    notepad c:\boot.ini
    Notepad should then open with the correct Boot.Ini you need to edit.

    P.S. Broni has an excellent idea as it will show exactly what is going on inside the file.
     
    markp62,
    #5
  7. 2013/08/29
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    Hi Broni

    This is the information you requested:

    CMDCONS Folder exists!

    Contents of C:\boot.ini:

    [boot loader]
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    timeout=30

    [operating systems]
    C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
    UnsupportedDebug= "do not select this" /debug
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS=bad /safeboot:network

    [spybotsd]
    timeout.old=30

    Hope this will help you solve this problem. TIA!
     
    Ann,
    #6
  8. 2013/08/29
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
    On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
    Under System Startup, click Edit. This will open boot.ini file in Notepad.

    Now, be careful.

    Delete these two lines:

    Put this line instead in the very same place:

    Just to make sure all content should look like this:


    You'll still see 30 seconds delay because Recovery Console is installed.
    Recovery Console is a very important troubleshooting tool so you want to have it.
    If you don't want to wait that long you can change "timeout" value from "30" to say "15 ".
     
    broni,
    #7
  9. 2013/08/30
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    I just saw your reply, broni. Printing out these instructions so that I can follow step-by-step. Scary stuff! What has caused these changes in my boot.ini? s. I notice spybot at the end of my bootcheck notes and wonder if this has anything to do with my uninstalling spybot. I tried to install the newest version but gave me problems so I uninstalled it.

    Will come back when I do the deed.
     
    Ann,
    #8
  10. 2013/08/30
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    markp62 - Thanks for your help. I don't know why the boot.ini file did not show up when I searched.
     
    Ann,
    #9
  11. 2013/08/30
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    broni - I followed your instructions and then I saved the file as boot.ini. Computer still gives me a black screen when I boot or restart. Also can't find the boot.ini when I search.

    This is what the file looks like now:

    [boot loader]
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    timeout=30

    [operating systems]
    C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
    UnsupportedDebug= "do not select this" /debug
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition "/fastdetect

    [spybotsd]
    timeout.old=30
     
    Ann,
    #10
  12. 2013/08/30
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    As I said that's normal.

    Since you uninstalled Spybot these two lines can be deleted as well:

    [spybotsd]
    timeout.old=30
     
    broni,
    #11
  13. 2013/08/30
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/05/01
    Messages:
    4,012
    Likes Received:
    16
    To actually see Boot.Ini, open My Computer , go to Folder Options, click on the View Tab, and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files ", click on Apply, then OK. It will not show up until you do this.
    Now click on your C: hard drive icon, and you should see the file right in front of you. Double click it and it will open in Notepad. Then change timeout=30 to timeout=0.
    The Timeout set to 30 is what is causing the black screen to appear, when it is set to 0 (zero), you will not see the black screen appear.
     
    markp62,
    #12
  14. 2013/08/30
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    If I may...setting timeout to 0 is not a good idea.
    In case computer becomes unbootable she won't be able to access Recovery Console.
    I suggested setting timeout to 15 so Recovery Console option will be still visible while booting.
     
    broni,
    #13
  15. 2013/08/31
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    Guys - if I understand you correctly, the black screen and the message I am getting when I boot is NORMAL....how come I have never seen this before in all the years I own my computer. Is it because the setting was at 0 or is it something else that may be causing this.

    In your opinion can I create a TI backup with this situation.

    My computer is running so slow it is standing still and there is an abnormal HD activity going on.

    I appreciate clarification. Happy Labor Day!
     
    Ann,
    #14
  16. 2013/08/31
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    In this topic in malware removal forum: http://www.windowsbbs.com/malware-virus-removal/99608-inactive-keep-getting-explorer-error.html we ran Combofix which installed Recovery Console.
    The above topic is 2 years old so you had to have that screen for at least 2 years.

    As for the slowness I'll leave it to other helpers but you have to realize that XP is 12 years old so your computer after running for so many years will slow down.

    If you never reinstalled Windows it may be time to do so and start fresh.
     
    broni,
    #15
  17. 2013/08/31
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks you, broni, for your reply and help. I do not ever remember seeing that screen before, but if you say so, I accept it as true.

    My computer came with XP installed so I have no XP disc.

    I assume then, that I can create another TI image as the computer is OK.
     
    Ann,
    #16
  18. 2013/08/31
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    If you don't have XP CD having Recovery Console installed is crucial.
    In any case what kind of difference is 15 or 30 seconds delay compare to being helpless in case of trouble?

    An image is always crucial as well.
     
    broni,
    #17
  19. 2013/09/01
    Ann

    Ann Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/10
    Messages:
    597
    Likes Received:
    1
    The black screen was something that I figured came up because there was a problem with the computer, so I haven't created an image since this started happening......at least since I SAW the screen. Thanks and enjoy your Labor Day holiday!
     
    Ann,
    #18
  20. 2013/09/01
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

    Joined:
    2002/08/01
    Messages:
    21,701
    Likes Received:
    116
    Same to you :)
     
    broni,
    #19

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...