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.

XP hangs up on "loading personal settings"

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by elaine, 2010/11/27.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 3
  1. 2010/11/27
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi, my son just brought his laptop in with issues. The pc will not boot up..I've tried "safe mode" and all other options on the "safe mode" list, but cannot get into the system. It will open the XP logo and get as far as passing the pass word (he does not have one), but hangs up with "loading your personal settings ". I have the recovery disks but they will not work either! I put the recovery in before starting the pc, but it does not load it up.

    Anybody have any ideas???? Simple story of above is "can't get past "loading personal settings" on log in.

    Thx.......ec
     
    elaine,
    #1
  2. 2010/11/27
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    If the computer will not boot in Normal or Safe Mode the opportunities for troubleshooting are very limited verging on non-existent.
    Have you checked in the BIOS that the boot order is set to CD-Rom > Hard Drive? Even if it is there may be a screen message to the effect 'Press any key to boot from CD'.

    There may also be a message on the boot screen 'Press Fx for Recovery' if the laptop has a Recovery partition.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2010/11/27
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    I can't go anywhere to see any of these options! I do have the xp recovery disks. How can I make them work and just re install ???














    i
     
    elaine,
    #3
  5. 2010/11/27
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    The computer is booting partially into Windows so you should see the splash screen on which there should be a 'Press xx key to enter setup'.

    If you posted the make & Model No. of the laptop it would help both of us :)
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2010/11/27
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    ok...it is a HP Pavillion....yes, I can go into the set up, I think. What do you suggest I do??

    Thx
     
    elaine,
    #5
  7. 2010/11/27
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Elaine - I asked for the model no. too so that I can access the manual :)
    Check that the boot order is CD-Rom > Hard drive as I posted earlier. Unless the CD-Rom is set as the first boot device the computer will not boot from a CD.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2010/11/27
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    Model dv5000

    I am at the bios page......I don't see anything about the cd-rom.... "boot options" is clear...nothing there.

    What do I need to look for? I have the 2 cd's with the recovery.
     
    elaine,
    #7
  9. 2010/11/27
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Download the

    HP PAVILION DV5000 SERVICE MANUAL GUIDE

    The download link is towards the bottom of the page.

    Go to Section 2.1 - Using Computer Setup .....
    Then go to the System Configuration Menu - Boot Options - page 2-5 and check the boot order.

    Then go to page 224 of the document as seen in Adobe Reader where the recovery options are explained. It would seem that there is a Recovery Partition - Press F11 while the Press F11 for Recovery message is displayed on the screen.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2010/11/27
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    ok...I think I've found what you were talking about....the CD Rom boot and the floppy boot are both enabled.

    Is this what you were asking about?
     
    elaine,
    #9
  11. 2010/11/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    If that is the case the computer should boot from the CD. You will need to keep an eye on the screen when booting for a message - Press any key to boot from CD - this may or may not appear depending on the nature of the BIOS.

    Do you see - Press F11 for Recovery - when booting - with or without the CD inserted?

    Unfortunately the manual does not show any screenshots so I have to work by intuition :)
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    Good Morning,

    Well, the first recovery disk loaded up per your instructions. It seemed to be going through the normal process to arrive at the Windows XP Welcome screen.....but.....now I think it is hung up because it has not moved in about 15 minutes...just says please wait.
     
    elaine,
    #11
  13. 2010/11/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Good morning - afternoon here :)

    I don't think the omens are good and am beginning to think that there is a hardware failure, possibly the hard drive.

    Now that the computer will boot from a CD I suggest you check out the hard drive using the manufacturer's disk diagnostic software - DOS version from a bootable CD .....

    Disk Diagnostic Software ....

    ExcelStore

    Hitachi/IBM

    Samsung

    Toshiba

    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

    Western Digital

    To determine the make/model no. of your hard drive you will need to remove the hard drive cover on the base of the laptop as shown on Page 5-7 of the manual (page 93 in Reader) - hopefully the drive will show the make & model no. on the upper face so that there is no need to remove the drive - as shown on the next page. It is a very straightforward operation.
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    I guess I should have told you that it went through all the start process, even with music and voice.

    If it is the HD, would it have started this way???
     
    elaine,
    #13
  15. 2010/11/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    It is always a possibility if the data on the drive at the point where 'loading your personal settings', i.e. the User Profile(s), which may be corrupted, are located.

    That aside are you sure that the Recovery CD actually ran - I know that many laptop optical drives no longer have an activity light on them .....
    I would not expect that 'normal process' - Recovery discs normally open with a warning that all data, etc will be lost - did you see anything to that effect. It seems to me that the computer did not boot from the Recovery CD.

    You haven't answered my question in a previous post ....
     
    PeteC,
    #14
  16. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, used the F11 to load up the recovery disk. When it goes through the welcome sign in, it has a popup that "setup did not complete," run again. But, there are 2 diskette with this recovery, but the pc never asked for the 2nd disk. I tried to load it by going back to setup, but don't think it did anything, even tho I could hear the diskette doing something.
     
    elaine,
    #15
  17. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    oops forgot....I'm running the Primary Hard Disk Self Test now...
     
    elaine,
    #16
  18. 2010/11/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Let me know the outcome.
     
    PeteC,
    #17
  19. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    ok...it's only at 50% now
     
    elaine,
    #18
  20. 2010/11/28
    elaine

    elaine Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/05/08
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    ok...finished checking hard disk drive...all passed.....but still getting the same when trying to load up XP Windows..... "set up not complete..run set up again ". I told you there are 2 disks with this recovery, but only had first one installed and it never asked for the second one. Do you know what steps I need to take the install the second disk?
     
    elaine,
    #19
  21. 2010/11/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    At least the hard drive can be elimated as it passed the tests.

    The message 'setup not complete .... ' at least indicates that the computer booted from the Recovery CD. Stating the obvious there is clearly a problem, internally I guess, which is preventing setup from completing. It could be the Recovery CD - are these factory supplied or were they burned from the computer on the initial setup?

    Is there any sign of any dirt or damage on the first CD?

    Unless the setup process requests the second CD there is no way that you can force it to request the second CD. Are you sure that both are labelled Recovery?

    I am running out of options here - I guess you have run setup again?
     
    PeteC,
    #20
Page 1 of 3
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

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...