Windows loading problem.

Dronetek · 05-22-2007, 05:42 PM

I'm working on my friends laptop and I'm stumped. When it boots up to the windows login screen it just locks up with the windows logo in the middle. I tried loading up in safe mode, but that didn't work. Any ideas?

**justpassingby** · 05-23-2007, 12:59 AM

Hi Dronetek !

You could try a repair install.

Boot on the XP CD. You'll need to change the boot order to CD-rom first in the bios (you access the bios by repeatedly pressing a key during startup, it's usually the del but search for a message telling you which key to press if that doesn't work).

When prompted to do so, press a key to boot on the CD. Then choose to "setup Windows now", accept the license agreement, select the partition Windows is currently installed on and press 'R' to repair your current installation. Make sure the option you get is to "repair your current installation" before going further.

You shouldn't loose any files during the process but you'll have to redo all the latest critical updates on windows update. Some programs may stop working, in which case you'll have to reinstall them.

Check this link should you encounter any problem. Actually, I recommend you read it before starting the repair install, to be wiser from the start :
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Dronetek · 05-23-2007, 05:37 AM

Thanks!

dai · 05-23-2007, 12:47 PM

laptops usually come with a recovery partition not the actual retail disk
not being able to access safe mode usually indicates a hardware problem
d/l and run the hard drive makers diognostic utility on the hard drive
the above posts instructions are for a desktop unless the laptop has no recovery partition
moving you to laptops

**justpassingby** · 05-23-2007, 05:01 PM

dai, you're right in saying most laptops don't come with a retail disk, just forgot that. But I was wondering if all the "recover from recovery partition" methods were always able to maintain your data and programs installed as the repair installation is ? Do all brands provide a non-destructive recovery option ?

Could doing a repair installation on a laptop with a recovery partition damage the recovery partition or render it useless ? I don't think the repair process would mess with the boot sectors, or would it ? There should be few people with both a retail or OEM XP disk and a recovery partition but I'm just wondering.

I agree 100% with the suggestion to test the drive with the manufacturer's tools. If you don't know what drive is installed on your computer, tell us the laptop brand and model and we'll tell you, or simply search the manufacturer's website with those infos.

dai · 05-23-2007, 06:01 PM

as far as i know only a few of the more recent laptops offer a non distructive recovery the one i bought last week does'nt
the oem installations for laptops i think have a unique install for that manufacturer
tht's why i move anything to with laptops to laptop support for one of the laptop knowledgeable to deal with

Dronetek · 05-24-2007, 07:21 AM

Yeah, we have no recovery disk. Now what?

I ran:

Quote:

Drive Fitness Test

Version 4.09

The Drive Fitness Test (DFT) quickly and reliably tests SCSI, IDE and SATA drives. The DFT analyze function performs read tests without overwriting customer data. (Note: other DFT restoration utilities may overwrite data.)

Downloads

It didn't find anything wrong.

dai · 05-24-2007, 08:14 AM

do you know if there is a hidden recovery partition
what brand of laptop is it

05-22-2007, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dronetek Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15 OS: winxp	Windows loading problem. I'm working on my friends laptop and I'm stumped. When it boots up to the windows login screen it just locks up with the windows logo in the middle. I tried loading up in safe mode, but that didn't work. Any ideas?

05-23-2007, 12:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 6,219 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: Windows loading problem. Hi Dronetek ! You could try a repair install. Boot on the XP CD. You'll need to change the boot order to CD-rom first in the bios (you access the bios by repeatedly pressing a key during startup, it's usually the del but search for a message telling you which key to press if that doesn't work). When prompted to do so, press a key to boot on the CD. Then choose to "setup Windows now", accept the license agreement, select the partition Windows is currently installed on and press 'R' to repair your current installation. Make sure the option you get is to "repair your current installation" before going further. You shouldn't loose any files during the process but you'll have to redo all the latest critical updates on windows update. Some programs may stop working, in which case you'll have to reinstall them. Check this link should you encounter any problem. Actually, I recommend you read it before starting the repair install, to be wiser from the start : http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm __________________ Malware removal steps. Post your logs there and not here ! Posting system specs

05-23-2007, 05:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dronetek Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15 OS: winxp	Re: Windows loading problem. Thanks!

05-23-2007, 12:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,240 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Windows loading problem. laptops usually come with a recovery partition not the actual retail disk not being able to access safe mode usually indicates a hardware problem d/l and run the hard drive makers diognostic utility on the hard drive the above posts instructions are for a desktop unless the laptop has no recovery partition moving you to laptops __________________

05-23-2007, 05:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 6,219 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: Windows loading problem. dai, you're right in saying most laptops don't come with a retail disk, just forgot that. But I was wondering if all the "recover from recovery partition" methods were always able to maintain your data and programs installed as the repair installation is ? Do all brands provide a non-destructive recovery option ? Could doing a repair installation on a laptop with a recovery partition damage the recovery partition or render it useless ? I don't think the repair process would mess with the boot sectors, or would it ? There should be few people with both a retail or OEM XP disk and a recovery partition but I'm just wondering. I agree 100% with the suggestion to test the drive with the manufacturer's tools. If you don't know what drive is installed on your computer, tell us the laptop brand and model and we'll tell you, or simply search the manufacturer's website with those infos. __________________ Malware removal steps. Post your logs there and not here ! Posting system specs Last edited by justpassingby; 05-23-2007 at 05:09 PM.

05-23-2007, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,240 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Windows loading problem. as far as i know only a few of the more recent laptops offer a non distructive recovery the one i bought last week does'nt the oem installations for laptops i think have a unique install for that manufacturer tht's why i move anything to with laptops to laptop support for one of the laptop knowledgeable to deal with __________________

05-24-2007, 08:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,240 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Windows loading problem. do you know if there is a hidden recovery partition what brand of laptop is it __________________