My Pc won't start

Faldwin · 04-27-2007, 11:45 AM

My compute had been running slow lately, I decided to run the ScanDisk, but it kept having to start over becuase a program was writing to the disk. I decided to restart, b/c my comp. tries to run the ScanDisk everytime I start up whether or not I shut it down correctly. Before it started up I entered BIOS to see if there was any memory in the graphics card that I could put back into RAM. I couldn't find the setting to do it in so I just exited without saving. It continued to start up, but then it got to the WindowsMe splash screen and stayed there for a long time. I hit Escape to see what it was doing, and it said:

"Setup is updating the configuration files
This may take several minutes"

I could restart by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del but then it just got stuck at the same place again. I tried shutting it down with the power button, and it still got stuck. I even tried unplugging and plugging in again. Still no luck.

I think I might be able to boot by using a boot CD, or by changing the boot sequence, but I don't know how to go about any of this. This computer has a lot of important things on it, and I would hate to lose them. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

**OldGrayGary** · 04-28-2007, 03:08 AM

Hi Faldwin

This isn't the greatest time to backup your important files, but if you really don't have any other copy of them, that's likely what you should do first.

Seems like you might have access to another working computer, so an easy way to backup the files would be to remove the hard drive, place it in an external USB 2.0 enclosure, attach it to a well-protected & working computer - and copy the information over (preferably also making copies onto a permanent removable media, such as CDs or DVDs).

[Removing the drive = make sure to take anti-static precautions, shutdown Windows, power off, unplug the power cord (if a laptop, also remove the laptop's main battery) --- it would be a good idea to scan the drive for malware while it is connected to the "helper computer"]

---> An alternative way to backup would be to "slave" the drive internally in another PC [but that's a bit more complicated, and you have to know about the right jumper settings...]

Once you have a good backup of your data, you can put your drive back in it's original PC.

Then:
1) Download and run the hard disk diagnostics for your hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
2) Test the system memory --- http://www.memtest.org
3) Enter the Bios again -- and check that the time/date are correct [if several years behind, the CMOS battery likely needs replacing]. check the other settings as well (a Google search can usually locate a manual for most systems).
4) See if you can start the computer in Safe Mode. If yes, try Scandisk from there, and let it complete.
5) See if the system reboots OK after that.
6) If not, you can try a System Restore from Safe Mode, using a date from before this latest trouble started.

If you can't reach Safe Mode, you can also try a System Restore from the Command line --- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736

If the system continues to have trouble shutting down normally, you can try aumha's troubleshooter --- http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/shutdown.htm

Best of luck -- make sure to run some malware scans, along with your diagnostics.
. . . Gary

Faldwin · 04-30-2007, 09:13 PM

What's an "external USB 2.0 enclosure"? Where can I get one and how much do they cost. I would prefer to solve this problem without spending any money. Another question. Is there something in BIOS that lets you start up in Safe Mode? I looked and couldn't find anything. Thanks for the detailed response.

**OldGrayGary** · 05-01-2007, 12:00 AM

Hi again Faldwin

If you've an older WinMe laptop, your hard drive is likely an IDE 2.5" drive, and would fit in an inexpensive enclosure ($8) like this one --- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817708005 --- if you can find one locally, you save the cost of shipping. If your PC is a WinMe desktop computer, it likely has a IDE 3.5" hard drive, which would fit in an enclosure like this one ($16) --- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163046 ---

If you have a friend with an enclosure they aren't using at the moment, you'd be in luck -- you could borrow it. You'll only need it for as long as it takes to scan and clean malware, then to copy your sensitive data (& make some CD or DVD backups).

The other option I mentioned was to "slave" the drive inside of another PC. If you aren't familiar with setting hard drive jumpers & positioning hard drives on the cables, it might be easier for you to use the external enclosure idea. If you are fairly familiar with jumpers & all -- set the troubled hard drive's jumper to either "slave" or to "cable select" (and place the drive on the middle, slave, connector on the cable). Then scan for malware, cleanup, and make your backups. Take anti-static precautions whenever working inside a case.
_________

No, Safe Mode is not an option in the computer's Bios. You can enter Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key as your computer is starting. (You choose "Safe Mode" from the menu). Here's a fairly thorough explanation of how to enter Safe Mode (with helpful screenshots) --- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm
_________

Did you notice if the date & time were correct when you looked in the Bios?
_________

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Faldwin · 05-01-2007, 07:08 AM

Ok, I think my troubles may be solved. I managed to get the computer (it is a desktop by the way) to start up in safe mode. It started the ScanDisk like it has always done. I let it run through the night, but when I checked it this morning it had stopped at about 470k/1.8 million. It wasn't responding to any input so I shut it down and let it start up in normal mode. It actually worked this time, and started running the ScanDisk. I'm going to let it run whilst I'm at school and see if it will finish this time. The BIOS clock was correct. I can connect that computer to the internet so I will do that other stuff you suggested (memtest, HD diagnostics, and malware scan) You've been a great help, and if I ever have any more issues (an unfortunate inevitably with a PC this old) I'll be sure to come back here.

04-27-2007, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Faldwin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinMe	My Pc won't start My compute had been running slow lately, I decided to run the ScanDisk, but it kept having to start over becuase a program was writing to the disk. I decided to restart, b/c my comp. tries to run the ScanDisk everytime I start up whether or not I shut it down correctly. Before it started up I entered BIOS to see if there was any memory in the graphics card that I could put back into RAM. I couldn't find the setting to do it in so I just exited without saving. It continued to start up, but then it got to the WindowsMe splash screen and stayed there for a long time. I hit Escape to see what it was doing, and it said: "Setup is updating the configuration files This may take several minutes" I could restart by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del but then it just got stuck at the same place again. I tried shutting it down with the power button, and it still got stuck. I even tried unplugging and plugging in again. Still no luck. I think I might be able to boot by using a boot CD, or by changing the boot sequence, but I don't know how to go about any of this. This computer has a lot of important things on it, and I would hate to lose them. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

04-28-2007, 03:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: My Pc won't start Hi Faldwin This isn't the greatest time to backup your important files, but if you really don't have any other copy of them, that's likely what you should do first. Seems like you might have access to another working computer, so an easy way to backup the files would be to remove the hard drive, place it in an external USB 2.0 enclosure, attach it to a well-protected & working computer - and copy the information over (preferably also making copies onto a permanent removable media, such as CDs or DVDs). [Removing the drive = make sure to take anti-static precautions, shutdown Windows, power off, unplug the power cord (if a laptop, also remove the laptop's main battery) --- it would be a good idea to scan the drive for malware while it is connected to the "helper computer"] ---> An alternative way to backup would be to "slave" the drive internally in another PC [but that's a bit more complicated, and you have to know about the right jumper settings...] Once you have a good backup of your data, you can put your drive back in it's original PC. Then: 1) Download and run the hard disk diagnostics for your hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 2) Test the system memory --- http://www.memtest.org 3) Enter the Bios again -- and check that the time/date are correct [if several years behind, the CMOS battery likely needs replacing]. check the other settings as well (a Google search can usually locate a manual for most systems). 4) See if you can start the computer in Safe Mode. If yes, try Scandisk from there, and let it complete. 5) See if the system reboots OK after that. 6) If not, you can try a System Restore from Safe Mode, using a date from before this latest trouble started. If you can't reach Safe Mode, you can also try a System Restore from the Command line --- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736 If the system continues to have trouble shutting down normally, you can try aumha's troubleshooter --- http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/shutdown.htm Best of luck -- make sure to run some malware scans, along with your diagnostics. . . . Gary __________________

04-30-2007, 09:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Faldwin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinMe	Re: My Pc won't start What's an "external USB 2.0 enclosure"? Where can I get one and how much do they cost. I would prefer to solve this problem without spending any money. Another question. Is there something in BIOS that lets you start up in Safe Mode? I looked and couldn't find anything. Thanks for the detailed response.

05-01-2007, 12:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: My Pc won't start Hi again Faldwin If you've an older WinMe laptop, your hard drive is likely an IDE 2.5" drive, and would fit in an inexpensive enclosure ($8) like this one --- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817708005 --- if you can find one locally, you save the cost of shipping. If your PC is a WinMe desktop computer, it likely has a IDE 3.5" hard drive, which would fit in an enclosure like this one ($16) --- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163046 --- If you have a friend with an enclosure they aren't using at the moment, you'd be in luck -- you could borrow it. You'll only need it for as long as it takes to scan and clean malware, then to copy your sensitive data (& make some CD or DVD backups). The other option I mentioned was to "slave" the drive inside of another PC. If you aren't familiar with setting hard drive jumpers & positioning hard drives on the cables, it might be easier for you to use the external enclosure idea. If you are fairly familiar with jumpers & all -- set the troubled hard drive's jumper to either "slave" or to "cable select" (and place the drive on the middle, slave, connector on the cable). Then scan for malware, cleanup, and make your backups. Take anti-static precautions whenever working inside a case. _________ No, Safe Mode is not an option in the computer's Bios. You can enter Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key as your computer is starting. (You choose "Safe Mode" from the menu). Here's a fairly thorough explanation of how to enter Safe Mode (with helpful screenshots) --- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm _________ Did you notice if the date & time were correct when you looked in the Bios? _________ Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

05-01-2007, 07:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Faldwin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinMe	Re: My Pc won't start Ok, I think my troubles may be solved. I managed to get the computer (it is a desktop by the way) to start up in safe mode. It started the ScanDisk like it has always done. I let it run through the night, but when I checked it this morning it had stopped at about 470k/1.8 million. It wasn't responding to any input so I shut it down and let it start up in normal mode. It actually worked this time, and started running the ScanDisk. I'm going to let it run whilst I'm at school and see if it will finish this time. The BIOS clock was correct. I can connect that computer to the internet so I will do that other stuff you suggested (memtest, HD diagnostics, and malware scan) You've been a great help, and if I ever have any more issues (an unfortunate inevitably with a PC this old) I'll be sure to come back here.