Can't Startup Computer!

Saddie99 · 09-19-2008, 07:45 AM

I can't boot up my computer so I figured I'd reinstall xp, but it won't let me do it without reformatting the hard drive. When I hit 'R' during set up, at the dos prompt I get 'An error occurred during directory enumeration'. I've
tried running 'chkdsk' at least 5 times and everytime it locks up at 25%.
HELP!! I've tried 'fixboot' and that didn't work either.

**Dunedin** · 09-19-2008, 08:14 AM

Hello Saddie99

It might not be locking up. Sometimes chkdsk takes ages to complete

Run chkdsk /p /r
Note the 2 spaces

Be prepared to leave it running all night if necessary. It might complete quickly or it might take hours.

.

Saddie99 · 09-19-2008, 08:57 AM

It's been 24 hours

dai · 09-19-2008, 10:07 AM

download and run the hard drive makers diognostic utility on the hard drve
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
instead of a clean install try a repair install
boot from the cd and choose install
ignore the first repair option and continue with install
when windows finds the previous installation
then do the repair

Saddie99 · 09-19-2008, 01:27 PM

I don't understand. If I ignore the repair option my only other choice is to install xp which it won't let me do unless I format the hard drive.

**Dunedin** · 09-19-2008, 02:12 PM

The "R" on the XP installation CD is confusing.

There are 2 of them. The first one you come to near the beginning of setup is not the "Repair" you think it is. It is actually "R" for the Recovery Console where you just type commands to replace files and run some fixes.

The actual Repair of XP is found much further on in setup. After the EULA on the page to do a totall reinstall of XP there should also be the second "R" option. This is the one you want. It will Repair XP without removing your files and data. However, if your system is too corrupted this "R" option might not be available.
Do you see it on this page?

http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm
Scroll way down page to
Windows Installation CD - Repair Current Installation

If it not there just exit or you will end up doing a clean install and lose everything.
.

Saddie99 · 09-19-2008, 05:53 PM

It never goes to that second option. The next step is reformating the hard drive to install xp.
I've tried everything. Nothing works. I guess it's hopeless....

dai · 09-19-2008, 09:40 PM

this usually occurs if you have installed a sp and the disk does not contain the sp
slipstream the sp into the disk with nlite
then use the slipstreamed disk to run the repair
http://www.nliteos.com/

09-19-2008, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Saddie99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Can't Startup Computer! I can't boot up my computer so I figured I'd reinstall xp, but it won't let me do it without reformatting the hard drive. When I hit 'R' during set up, at the dos prompt I get 'An error occurred during directory enumeration'. I've tried running 'chkdsk' at least 5 times and everytime it locks up at 25%. HELP!! I've tried 'fixboot' and that didn't work either.

09-19-2008, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dunedin Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Over the Forth from Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,157 OS: WinXP Pro/Vista Ultimate	Re: Can't Startup Computer! Hello Saddie99 It might not be locking up. Sometimes chkdsk takes ages to complete Run chkdsk /p /r Note the 2 spaces Be prepared to leave it running all night if necessary. It might complete quickly or it might take hours. . __________________

09-19-2008, 08:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Saddie99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Can't Startup Computer! It's been 24 hours

09-19-2008, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 44,234 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Can't Startup Computer! download and run the hard drive makers diognostic utility on the hard drve http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 instead of a clean install try a repair install boot from the cd and choose install ignore the first repair option and continue with install when windows finds the previous installation then do the repair __________________

09-19-2008, 01:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Saddie99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Can't Startup Computer! I don't understand. If I ignore the repair option my only other choice is to install xp which it won't let me do unless I format the hard drive.

09-19-2008, 02:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dunedin Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Over the Forth from Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,157 OS: WinXP Pro/Vista Ultimate	Re: Can't Startup Computer! The "R" on the XP installation CD is confusing. There are 2 of them. The first one you come to near the beginning of setup is not the "Repair" you think it is. It is actually "R" for the Recovery Console where you just type commands to replace files and run some fixes. The actual Repair of XP is found much further on in setup. After the EULA on the page to do a totall reinstall of XP there should also be the second "R" option. This is the one you want. It will Repair XP without removing your files and data. However, if your system is too corrupted this "R" option might not be available. Do you see it on this page? http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm Scroll way down page to Windows Installation CD - Repair Current Installation If it not there just exit or you will end up doing a clean install and lose everything. . __________________

09-19-2008, 05:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Saddie99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Can't Startup Computer! It never goes to that second option. The next step is reformating the hard drive to install xp. I've tried everything. Nothing works. I guess it's hopeless....

09-19-2008, 09:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 44,234 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Can't Startup Computer! this usually occurs if you have installed a sp and the disk does not contain the sp slipstream the sp into the disk with nlite then use the slipstreamed disk to run the repair http://www.nliteos.com/ __________________