Windows XP will not start up

[tom20963]

Comp crashed/freeze and Windows will not startup. Goes through Bios then windows start up window comes up before starting. Advises system did not go through proper shut down and offers choices for start up. Try them all and still will not start windows, even in safe mode. hangs when loading drivers in safe mode. Tried to fix with xp disk, while windows is loading drivers into ram for start up disk, get a message that windows has shut down to protect PC, Bios not fully ACPI compliant.

Checked bios at start up and it appears to be fine and no reports of failure. MO is asus P4C800-E deluxe.

Have had system for 18 months and has been great until last night, any suggestions?

 

[pscowboy]

This is almost always a sign of corrupt files due to hardware malfunction. Sometimes, it's a virus. A complete hard drive crash wouldn't get you past the BIOS post. And, if it was an overheating cpu, you would be able to boot up when it's cold.

Try this. Put in your XP cd and boot up. (CD drive must be first in the boot order in your BIOS). Proceed as if you are doing an install. Eventually, you will reach a point where you can press R for repair. Do so; and you will be at a prompt. Type in fixmbr; and then type in fixboot when you get the cursor back. Take out the cd and try to get to your desktop.

If that didn't do it for you, go to a friend's house to use his machine where I urge you to get SpinRite 6.0 ($$) from grc.com; make a floppy, and run it at level4 on your comp to try to recover the data on the hd. (I hope you have a floppy drive). If you don't have a floppy drive, you can burn a cd that will run the program. This will take 8-15 hours depending on cpu speed and drive size. Once in a while, check the Detailed Technical Log to see if there are entries of problems. If the SpinRite test shows the drive to be okay, and it still doesn't boot up, then you need to take your hd to a friend's house; hook it up to his main drive as a Slave (it temporarily becomes a "D" drive then) and check it for viruses.

File corruption can be caused by power supplies that are starting to fail; also, hard drives that start developing bad spots. Less likely, but possible, is a failing memory stick. And finally, though remote, is the occasional failing mobo.

Another thought, while this lovely "friend" of yours is allowing you time on his (or her) computer, go to your machines' web site and see if there is a BIOS update. These are accomplished with a floppy as well.

Good luck!

 

[gunbuster82]

Another thing to try from the Recovery Console on the XP disc is:
chkdsk /r c:
That will scan the hard drive and try to recover any damaged sectors, and will also replace damaged system files. I use that all the time to fix BSOD problems. It takes awhile to run, but might be able to fix your problem as well.

Good Luck!

 

[tom20963]

Thanks I will give both those a try. Good thing I have more than one PC will try your suggests this weekend.