Windows won't start properly--get message in dos mode

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

I have had this problem several times. I'm running XP. Forgive me for I
don't know exactly what I'm talking about (but not completely dumb!)

What happens: I turn on the computer and I get a dos screen that says
something like "Windows failed to start properly...blah blah...this may be
due to recent changes you've made to hardware or software.
Then it gives options to start in safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe
mode with something else (can't remember), or start windows normally.

There have been no recent changes that it suggests. This problem happened a
week ago. After letting the computer try to restart about 20 times (because
I left it unattended), I started in safe mode and researched HELP AND
SUPPORT. I found an error log that showed several of the restart attempts
failed because of "some device connected to the system wasn't working
properly" or something like that. The only thing I could think of that would
cause that is the external modem/router for the DSL. So, I disconnected the
power supply, ethernet cable and phone cable from the modem. I restarted
normally and "voila!" it worked! I plugged the modem back in and have had no
problems starting Windows since then (a week ago)...until today!!

So, today, after a couple attempts of starting windows normally without
unplugging anything, I decided to try the same thing with the modem again,
and it worked again. I have contacted my DSL service, who supplied the modem
and they checked it and said it was working properly. Something isn't
working properly!! At the time, I couldn't connect to the internet and they
blamed it on a virus. I run Norton Internet Security. I ran a full system
scan a week ago, after the problem then and it found 3 adware files and
deleted them. But that doesn't seem like it would cause windows not to start
at all!

Can anyone help? Thank you!!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

When this happens you'll want to start in safe mode with and without
networking so you can check Device Manager to find out specifically what
isn't working hardware wise. Also check Event Viewer for errors.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"Krystal Flower" wrote:
|I have had this problem several times. I'm running XP. Forgive me for I
| don't know exactly what I'm talking about (but not completely dumb!)
|
| What happens: I turn on the computer and I get a dos screen that says
| something like "Windows failed to start properly...blah blah...this may be
| due to recent changes you've made to hardware or software.
| Then it gives options to start in safe mode, safe mode with networking,
safe
| mode with something else (can't remember), or start windows normally.
|
| There have been no recent changes that it suggests. This problem happened
a
| week ago. After letting the computer try to restart about 20 times
(because
| I left it unattended), I started in safe mode and researched HELP AND
| SUPPORT. I found an error log that showed several of the restart attempts
| failed because of "some device connected to the system wasn't working
| properly" or something like that. The only thing I could think of that
would
| cause that is the external modem/router for the DSL. So, I disconnected
the
| power supply, ethernet cable and phone cable from the modem. I restarted
| normally and "voila!" it worked! I plugged the modem back in and have had
no
| problems starting Windows since then (a week ago)...until today!!
|
| So, today, after a couple attempts of starting windows normally without
| unplugging anything, I decided to try the same thing with the modem again,
| and it worked again. I have contacted my DSL service, who supplied the
modem
| and they checked it and said it was working properly. Something isn't
| working properly!! At the time, I couldn't connect to the internet and
they
| blamed it on a virus. I run Norton Internet Security. I ran a full
system
| scan a week ago, after the problem then and it found 3 adware files and
| deleted them. But that doesn't seem like it would cause windows not to
start
| at all!
|
| Can anyone help? Thank you!!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain (More info?)

Hi *Krystal Flower* :

> I have had this problem several times. I'm running XP. Forgive me for I
> don't know exactly what I'm talking about (but not completely dumb!)

The fact that you'll find this News Group is the proof that you're not dummy ! ;-)


> What happens: I turn on the computer and I get a dos screen that says
> something like "Windows failed to start properly...blah blah...this may be
> due to recent changes you've made to hardware or software.
> Then it gives options to start in safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe
> mode with something else (can't remember), or start windows normally.

The "somethings else" was "Last Known Good Configuration" (very helpfull).


> There have been no recent changes that it suggests. This problem happened a
> week ago. After letting the computer try to restart about 20 times (because
> I left it unattended), I started in safe mode and researched HELP AND
> SUPPORT. I found an error log that showed several of the restart attempts
> failed because of "some device connected to the system wasn't working
> properly" or something like that. The only thing I could think of that would
> cause that is the external modem/router for the DSL.

> So, I disconnected the
> power supply, ethernet cable and phone cable from the modem. I restarted
> normally and "voila!" it worked! I plugged the modem back in and have had no
> problems starting Windows since then (a week ago)...until today!!

[ An other proof that your not dummy : you do exactly what you have to do
in such situation like a PRO ! May be you are too much modest ]

Well, may be an hardware problem or (like most of the time) a driver problem.

Now the next step is to use the Sherlock Holmes methodology:
The chase for informations about the guilty !

1)

You can check the devices and drivers like this:

Start | run | devmgmt.msc

a)
Errors codes and hints
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310123

b)
To find recent drivers:
www.driverfiles.net
or used Everest tio have more informations about your system configuration
and some links to the components manufacturer :
http://www.lavalys.com/


2)

Check also in the system and application logs to find some tracks
of errors or warnings :

Start | Run | eventvwr.msc

The most important informations there are :
the source and the event ID.

You can find more hints about these in this web site:
http://www.eventid.net/


> So, today, after a couple attempts of starting windows normally without
> unplugging anything, I decided to try the same thing with the modem again,
> and it worked again. I have contacted my DSL service, who supplied the modem
> and they checked it and said it was working properly. Something isn't
> working properly!! At the time, I couldn't connect to the internet and they
> blamed it on a virus. I run Norton Internet Security. I ran a full system
> scan a week ago, after the problem then and it found 3 adware files and
> deleted them. But that doesn't seem like it would cause windows not to start
> at all!

May be yes, may be no ... (hum... this is not a good answer !)
The ISP hotline always blame every things except the ISP itself.
Eliminate this possibility right now .

The fact is that any security softwares are reliable at 100%.
To be sure ther is no malwares in your system double check with this:

a) "Mini AV" to run in safe mode:

Stinger :
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Avast cleaner :
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_cleaner.html

MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=fr

Kaspersky:
ftp://ftp.kaspersky.ru/utils/clrav.com

Anti Root-Kits
F-Secure ( beta )
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

b) On-line scan:

Anti-trojan:
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

Anti-spy:
http://www.spywareguide.com/txt_onlinescan.html
http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=FindOutWhosWatchingYou&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=181432

Anti-virus:
http://www.trendmicro.com

> Can anyone help? Thank you!!

No more idea for the moment.

Let us know.



--
Claude LaFrenière [MVP]

«My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)
http://climenole.serendipia.net