10 things you can do when Winwontboot

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10 things you can do w hen W indow s XPwo n't boot

by Greg Shultz | Jan 26, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Operating systems, Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, GoodConfiguration

Takeaway: If your computer powers up okay, but the Windows XP operating system won't bootproperly, you have some troubleshooting ahead of you. Here's a look at the likely culprits andwhat you can do to fix the problem.

Note: This article is also available as a download.

When your computer hardware appears to power up okay, but the Windows XP operating systemwon't boot properly, you have to begin a troubleshooting expedition that includes getting into theoperating system, determining the problem, and then fixing it. To help you get started on thisexpedition, here are 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot.

#1: Use a W indow s star tup disk

One of the first things you should reach for when troubleshooting a Windows XP boot problem is aWindows startup disk. This floppy disk can come in handy if the problem is being caused when

either the startup record for the active partition or the files that the operating system uses to startWindows have become corrupted.

To create a Windows startup disk, insert a floppy disk into the drive of a similarly configured,working Windows XP system, launch My Computer, right-click the floppy disk icon, and select theFormat command from the context menu. When you see the Format dialog box, leave all thedefault settings as they are and click the Start button. Once the format operation is complete, closethe Format dialog box to return to My Computer, double-click the drive C icon to access the rootdirectory, and copy the following three files to the floppy disk:

Boot.ini

NTLDR Ntdetect.com

After you create the Windows startup disk, insert it into the floppy drive on the afflicted systemand press [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] to reboot the computer. When you boot from the Windows startupdisk, the computer will bypass the active partition and boot files on the hard disk and attempt tostart Windows XP normally.

#2: Use Last Kno wn Goo d Configura tion

ou can also try to boot the operating system with the Last Known Good Configuration feature.This feature will allow you to undo any changes that caused problems in the CurrentControlSetregistry key, which defines hardware and driver settings. The Last Known Good Configuration

hings you can do when Windows XP won't boot http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6031733.html?tag...

11 31/05/2009 18:26



feature replaces the contents of the CurrentControlSet registry key with a backup copy that waslast used to successfully start up the operating system.

To use the Last Known Good Configuration feature, first restart the computer by pressing [Ctrl][Alt][Delete]. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start or hear thesingle beep, press [F8] to display the Windows Advanced Options menu. Select the Last KnownGood Configuration item from the menu and press [Enter].

Keep in mind that you get only one shot with the Last Known Good Configuration feature. In otherwords, if it fails to revive your Windows XP on the first attempt, the backup copy is also corrupt.

#3: Use System Restor e

Another tool that might be helpful when Windows XP won't boot is System Restore. SystemRestore runs in the background as a service and continually monitors system-critical componentsfor changes. When it detects an impending change, System Restore immediately makes backupcopies, called restore points, of these critical components before the change occurs. In addition,

System Restore is configured by default to create restore points every 24 hours.

To use System Restore, first restart the computer by pressing [Ctrl][Alt][Delete]. When you see themessage Please select the operating system to start or hear the single beep, press [F8] to display the Windows Advanced Options menu. Now, select the Safe Mode item from the menu and press[Enter].

Once Windows XP boots into Safe mode, click the Start button, access the All Programs |Accessories | System Tools menu, and select System Restore. Because you're running in Safemode, the only option on the opening screen of the System Restore wizard is Restore My

Computer To An Earlier Time, and it's selected by default, so just click Next. Then, follow alongwith the wizard to select a restore point and begin the restoration procedure.

#4: Use Recover y Con sole

When a Windows XP boot problem is severe, you'll need to use a more drastic approach. TheWindows XP CD is bootable and will provide you with access to a tool called Recovery Console.

To boot from the Windows XP CD, insert it into the CD-ROM drive on the problem system andpress [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] to reboot the computer. Once the system begins booting from the CD,simply follow the prompts that will allow the loading of the basic files needed to run Setup. Whenyou see the Welcome To Setup screen, shown in Figur e A , press R to start the Recovery Console.

Figur e A


11 31/05/2009 18:26



ou'll then see a Recovery Console menu, like the one shown in Figur e B . It displays the foldercontaining the operating system's files and prompts you to choose the operating system you wantto log on to. Just press the menu number on the keyboard, and you'll be prompted to enter theAdministrator's password. You'll then find yourself at the main Recovery Console prompt.

Figur e B

#5: Fix a corrupt Boo t.ini

As the Windows XP operating system begins to load, the Ntldr program refers to the Boot.ini file


11 31/05/2009 18:26



to determine where the operating system files reside and which options to enable as the operatingsystem continues to load. So if there's a problem rooted in the Boot.ini file, it can render WindowsXP incapable of booting correctly.

If you suspect that Windows XP won't boot because Boot.ini has been corrupted, you can use thespecial Recovery Console version of the Bootcfg tool to fix it. Of course, you must first boot thesystem with the Windows XP CD and access the Recovery Console as described in #4.

To use the Bootcfg tool, from the Recovery Console command prompt, type

Bootcfg /parameter

Where /parameter is one of these required parameters:

/Add--Scans the disk for all Windows installations and allows you to add any new ones to theBoot.ini file./Scan--Scans the disk for all Windows installations./List--Lists each entry in the Boot.ini file.

/Default--Sets the default operating system as the main boot entry./Rebuild--Completely re-creates the Boot.ini file. The user must confirm each step./Redirect--Allows the boot operation to be redirected to a specific port when using the HeadlessAdministration feature. The Redirect parameter takes two parameters of its own, [Port Baudrate ]| [UseBiosSettings]./Disableredirect--Disables the redirection.

#6: Fix a co rrupt par tition bo ot sector

The partition boot sector is a small section of the hard disk partition that contains informationabout the operating system's file system (NTFS or FAT32), as well as a very small machinelanguage program that is crucial in assisting the operating system as it loads.

If you suspect that Windows XP won't boot because the partition boot sector has been corrupted,you can use a special Recovery Console tool called Fixboot to fix it. Start by booting the systemwith the Windows XP CD and accessing the Recovery Console as described in #4.

To use the Fixboot tool, from the Recovery Console command prompt, type

Fixboot [drive]:

Where [drive] is the letter of the drive to which you want to write a new partition boot sector.

#7: Fix a corr upt ma ster bo ot recor d

The master boot record occupies the first sector on the hard disk and is responsible for initiatingthe Windows boot procedure. The master boot record contains the partition table for the disk aswell as a small program called the master boot code, which is responsible for locating the active, orbootable, partition, in the partition table. Once this occurs, the partition boot sector takes over andbegins loading Windows. If the master boot record is corrupt, the partition boot sector can't do itsob and Windows won't boot.

If you suspect Windows XP won't boot because the master boot record has been corrupted, youcan use the Recovery Console tool Fixmbr to fix it. First, boot the system with the Windows XP CD


11 31/05/2009 18:26



and access the Recovery Console as described in #4.

To use the Fixmbr tool, from the Recovery Console command prompt, type

Fixmbr [device_name]

Where [device_name] is the device pathname of the drive to which you want to write a new master boot record. For example, the device pathname format for a standard bootable drive C

configuration would look like this:

\Device\HardDisk0

#8: Disable autom atic restar t

When Windows XP encounters a fatal error, the default setting for handling such an error is toautomatically reboot the system. If the error occurs while Windows XP is booting, the operatingsystem will become stuck in a reboot cycle--rebooting over and over instead of starting up

normally. In that case, you'll need to disable the option for automatically restarting on systemfailure.

When Windows XP begins to boot up and you see the message Please select the operating systemto start or hear the single beep, press [F8] to display the Windows Advanced Options Menu. Then,select the Disable The Automatic Restart On System Failure item and press [Enter]. Now,Windows XP will hang up when it encounters the error and with any luck, it will display a stopmessage you can use to diagnose the problem.

#9: Restor e fro m a backupIf you can't seem to repair a Windows XP system that won't boot and you have a recent backup,you can restore the system from the backup media. The method you use to restore the system willdepend on what backup utility you used, so you'll need to follow the utility's instructions on how to perform a restore operation.

#10: Perfor m an in-place upgrade

If you can't repair a Windows XP system that won't boot and you don't have a recent backup, youcan perform an in-place upgrade. Doing so reinstalls the operating system into the same folder,ust as if you were upgrading from one version of Windows to another. An in-place upgrade will

usually solve most, if not all, Windows boot problems.

Performing a Windows XP in-place upgrade is pretty straightforward. To begin, insert theWindows XP CD into the drive, restart your system, and boot from the CD. Once the initialpreparation is complete, you'll see the Windows XP Setup screen (shown earlier in Figure A).Press [Enter] to launch the Windows XP Setup procedure. In a moment, you'll see the LicenseAgreement page and will need to press [F8] to acknowledge that you agree. Setup will then searchthe hard disk looking for a previous installation of Windows XP. When it finds the previous

installation, you'll see a second Windows XP Setup screen, as shown in Figur e C.

Figur e CThis screen will prompt you to press R to repair the selected installation or to press [Esc] to install


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a fresh copy of Windows XP. In this case, initiating a repair operation is synonymous withperforming an in-place upgrade, so you'll need to press R. When you do so, Setup will examine thedisk drives in the system. It will then begin performing the in-place upgrade.

Keep in mind that after you perform an in-place upgrade or repair installation, you must reinstallall updates to Windows.

Peop le who r ead this, also re ad...10 things you can do when Windows XP won't bootBootable disk NTDetect failedBooting of a CDWhat to do when Windows XP won't boot

Pr int/View all PostsCom m ents on this article

He skipped the most useful tool of all atlascomputers@... | 01/31/06

XP crashed peter@... | 02/05/06

try the steps I mentioned atlascomputers@... | 02/06/06

XP crashed peter@... | 02/08/06

Use Ghost or similiar garbow@... | 02/09/06

null peter@... | 02/10/06

Slave the drive and take ownership Greg Shultz | 02/13/06

System crashes and reboots again and again sonam_2k@... | 01/15/08

Boot from CD failure.... AWS72544@... | 01/03/08

So how did you find the files? bamyclouse@... | 01/05/08

When telling you to copy the NTLDR etc michael1r@... | 05/18/08

Use this tool Ptero.4@... | 12/30/07

Idiot junk@... | 04/20/08

Guess you missed the "Report as Spam" link. deepsand | 04/20/08


11 31/05/2009 18:26



CHKDSK /P does nothing... Greg Shultz | 02/07/06

I have a strange Scenario kirandilse@... | 02/14/06

Sounds to me like your Partition Table is zapped. Joel R | 01/25/07

Try these! lebadbob@... | 08/03/07

You might need Ptero.4@... | 12/30/07

BS joopbraak@... | 01/13/07

Nope, you are though... pyrodave1@... | 04/20/07

/p DOES work breagerey@... | 11/21/07

No pass word - Win Recovery Console sherlene@... | 02/05/07

Admin Password edmundj@... | 03/18/07

Re: No Password jedmunds | 07/31/07

What do you do if........... JG@... | 02/28/06

Number 10 didn't work for me PCmac | 03/13/06

Device Driver check JG@... | 03/14/06

Best solution is http://pclinuxos.com install linuxiac | 01/12/07

Well said Ptero.4@... | 12/30/07

Install Win XP pro every day imz76@... | 08/13/07

Install XP everyday beris@... | 08/15/07

Possible workaround johnnymarx@... | 08/17/07

Why & How ... ie My New ( Failsafe ) Boot.ini ... CisfRjsii | 01/26/08

You're so right! pkemp@... | 08/11/08

Mr Atlas is on the money! chriscopp@... | 10/12/08


11 31/05/2009 18:26



I Agree with you dp.singh@... | 02/09/09

Ok, nice thoughts Greg, but what about this scenario? lf_mail@... | 02/13/06

My thoughts halibut | 02/14/06

it's a cost/benefit tradeoff lf_mail@... | 02/14/06

inplace upgrade jtew@... | 02/23/06

and remember... my process did work for me once before lf_mail@... | 02/14/06

null peter@... | 02/14/06

See previous post Greg Shultz | 02/15/06

It's not just the data, it's the time it takes to install other apps I uself_mail@... | 02/16/06

hindsight won't help you now, but . . . eddie.limoncelli@... | 02/23/06

It's not trial and error time, it's the amount of time to re-installlf_mail@... | 02/23/06

What about number 1? Greg Shultz | 02/14/06

Windows doesn't keep all restore points lf_mail@... | 02/16/06

Reviewing the steps in the article, 1 by 1 lf_mail@... | 02/16/06

Boot problems..SP2 SP1 etc Gabriella | 02/23/06

I tried the oldest recovery point (not 1 by 377) lf_mail@... | 02/18/06

BSOD appears when I use the Recovery Console lf_mail@... | 02/16/06

on "Troubleshooting a Stop 0x0000000A" error lf_mail@... | 02/17/06

recovery console eddie.limoncelli@... | 02/23/06

A tiny bit of progress but still no cigar... Ideas? Greg??? lf_mail@... | 02/20/06

Check these Links for Disaster Prevention jedtimmer | 06/06/06

RE: Ok, nice thoughts Greg, but what about this scenario? Ptero.4@... | 08/15/07


11 31/05/2009 18:26



I've tried as many of the 10 as I can - and *none* have fixed the problem lf_mail@... | 02/21/06

ditto harlownetball@... | 09/19/07

Only idea number 10 worked for me lf_mail@... | 02/23/06

SP2 CD eddie.limoncelli@... | 02/23/06

Maybe I talked to the wrong CSR lf_mail@... | 02/23/06

Best promoter for the Linux Solution is MS! linuxiac | 01/12/07

Floppy boot disk boot.ini file davidfrazier1 | 05/01/06

XP may as well be dead melted_red_pen@... | 11/03/06

Live boot, copy hard drive... linuxiac | 01/12/07

YOU FORGOT ONE-- BALTHOR | 01/10/07

That's an option! linuxiac | 01/12/07

the only good option psychogoalie | 01/15/07

XP corrupting discs aha@... | 02/03/07

Here's one they didn't tell you majorwest@... | 02/06/07

Crazy, huh? You just never know sometimes, though. sherlene@... | 02/06/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot goodhikers@... | 08/01/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot dsv@... | 08/01/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot jagd_kommando | 08/03/07

Better idea, tim.mcgovern | 08/03/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot gr8is@... | 08/04/07

Good one Ptero.4@... | 12/30/07

10 more things you can do bigbadaaron25@... | 08/08/07


11 31/05/2009 18:26



RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot suresh000suresh@... | 08/10/07

Best of all: "System Restore" from Recovery Console ovehal@... | 08/15/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot Ptero.4@... | 08/15/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot nicknick04@... | 08/18/07

Wow, my system is really hosed Centerweight | 08/25/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot rforgy@... | 10/23/07

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot larry8900@... | 10/25/07

Win Xp failed boot after an UPS failure raodurga@... | 12/09/07

Funny, but my XP machine was never affected by Fedex failure ManiacMan | 01/04/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot back-in1966pickup_stix@... | 01/08/08

you need... normhaga@... | 01/27/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot josephine.arceo@... | 03/11/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot suniltr77@... | 04/16/08

ULTIMATE BOOT CD FOR WINDOWS The Altruist | 04/24/08

Can you run sfc /scannow from recovery console? setecio@... | 05/07/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot uk_knoner@... | 10/07/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot dfnet@... | 10/26/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot andy.james@... | 12/07/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot johnscamera@... | 12/14/08

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot clackey3@... | 02/04/09

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot kstwild@... | 03/24/09

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot pyromaniack452@... | 04/19/09


de 11 31/05/2009 18:26



Why are you posted a potentially dangerous link here?????? deepsand | 04/20/09

RE: 10 things you can do when Windows XP won't boot okiror@... | 04/22/09

Try a search here on TR ... deepsand | 04/22/09

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