Windows will not start up! Please help!

JillyFilmKid · 04-11-2008, 04:30 AM

Hello!

So my Windows XP computer (Intel Pentium III processor 733 EB MHz) will not start up. It turns on, then says this:

Sorry for the inconvience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent software or hardware change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked. (My keyboard mysteriously doesn't work during this screen, so Start Windows Normally is my only choice.)

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Know Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)

Start Windows Normally (this is highlighted)

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice (But my keys won't move, the num lock, scroll lock, caps lock lights don't come up until after this screen passes).

Then it goes to the loading screen where it says Windows XP Professional and the loading bar is under it.

Then the screen turns blue and says this:

STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file):

\SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software

or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Then it begins to dump physical memory to disk: 100

Then "Contact your system administrator for assistance or techincal support for further assistance"

Then it restarts and does this all over again! Its done it about 100 times. Should I shut it off? Should I go into the setup menu(My keyboard works for this)? Please help me! I'm so lost.

PC eye · 04-11-2008, 05:49 AM

Have you made any software or hardware changes lately? That would be one thing to look at to see if you were seeing this as a result of a bad install of an update or new program. To correct something like this the system restore feature in XP can be started up manually at the safe mode with command prompt option seen in the F8 boot menu. http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449

The specific error message does point at a hardware change of some type according to the information seen at the Microsoft support site. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830084

If this is being seen where a recovery or full install XP cd is onhand you can boot upto the recovery console and enter the "chkdsk /r" command in at the prompt. Upon a system restart that will see the check disk utility scan the drive for boot and other types of errors. You could also be seeing bad sectors or even the hard drive failing on you.

brian · 04-11-2008, 05:53 AM

well he says he cant use his keyboard so everything you said would work if he got his keyboard working...

[begin default stupid questions]
1) is your keyboard pluged in properly and in the right port
2) did you try a different keyboard
3) did the keyboard ever work
4) can you get into the bios when the computer starts (hitting eather del, esc or f1 or f2)

PC eye · 04-11-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian

well he says he cant use his keyboard so everything you said would work if he got his keyboard working...

[begin default stupid questions]
1) is your keyboard pluged in properly and in the right port
2) did you try a different keyboard
3) did the keyboard ever work
4) can you get into the bios when the computer starts (hitting eather del, esc or f1 or f2)

If you paid attention once booting up with the XP cd to the recovery console no problems will be seen there in order to set the check disk utility to run on the next reboot.

If the PS2 port on the board turns out to be damaged or worn then the option for use of a usb model would be the next step. The problem there indicates a Windows not hardware related problem as far as the keyboard.

JillyFilmKid · 04-11-2008, 06:52 AM

Hey guys,

Thanks for your fast replies. My keyboard only doesn't work during the "safe mode" or "regular startup" screen. I can push f8 to go to the setup menu. But I don't know what to do from there. Can I get to the command prompt from there?

brian · 04-11-2008, 06:59 AM

no, you have to go into the repair consol in the xp disk or make a boot floppy

HippieGirl · 04-11-2008, 07:17 AM

Is the port connected properly? I've had a loose connection that made me lose my keyboard, just a thought.

PC eye · 04-11-2008, 07:24 AM

The recovery console is reached when first booting with the XP installation disk. After the first screen comes up with the press F6 now for installing Sata/Raid drivers the next will see the press R now to repair the current installation.

A dos type window will then be seen with a command line for manually typing commands in there. Once you are at the prompt you simply type in the chkdsk /r command to see the disk checking utility automatically start running on the next boot. That would be following simply typing "exit" to then see the command windows close and the system restart.

It sounds like the copy of Windows is seriously corrupted possibly even from a virus to be seeing keyboard problems before even reaching the desktop. If you are able to get into Windows after the utility runs running a few antivirus and antimalware programs should be on the list.

JillyFilmKid · 04-11-2008, 06:40 PM

Might I lose all my data if I successfully boot it up with the disk?

PC eye · 04-12-2008, 12:22 AM

Booting to the recovery console for the check disk command doesn't harm any files presently stored on the drive. The idea is to find out why Windows isn't starting up normally by using one of the tools already included in XP for possible repair there. The full information on the recovery console itself is seen at http://support.microsoft.com/KB/314058

Did you know you can also see the recovery console installed as a boot option in XP? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654

04-11-2008, 04:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
JillyFilmKid New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Windows will not start up! Please help! Hello! So my Windows XP computer (Intel Pentium III processor 733 EB MHz) will not start up. It turns on, then says this: Sorry for the inconvience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent software or hardware change might have caused this. If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked. (My keyboard mysteriously doesn't work during this screen, so Start Windows Normally is my only choice.) If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally. Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Last Know Configuration (your most recent settings that worked) Start Windows Normally (this is highlighted) Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice (But my keys won't move, the num lock, scroll lock, caps lock lights don't come up until after this screen passes). Then it goes to the loading screen where it says Windows XP Professional and the loading bar is under it. Then the screen turns blue and says this: STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable. Then it begins to dump physical memory to disk: 100 Then "Contact your system administrator for assistance or techincal support for further assistance" Then it restarts and does this all over again! Its done it about 100 times. Should I shut it off? Should I go into the setup menu(My keyboard works for this)? Please help me! I'm so lost.

04-11-2008, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,005	Have you made any software or hardware changes lately? That would be one thing to look at to see if you were seeing this as a result of a bad install of an update or new program. To correct something like this the system restore feature in XP can be started up manually at the safe mode with command prompt option seen in the F8 boot menu. http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449 The specific error message does point at a hardware change of some type according to the information seen at the Microsoft support site. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830084 If this is being seen where a recovery or full install XP cd is onhand you can boot upto the recovery console and enter the "chkdsk /r" command in at the prompt. Upon a system restart that will see the check disk utility scan the drive for boot and other types of errors. You could also be seeing bad sectors or even the hard drive failing on you. __________________ Youtube falls short of Google's expectations http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5336532 Congress studies how people track your online use http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5337932

04-11-2008, 05:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
brian Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 3,472	well he says he cant use his keyboard so everything you said would work if he got his keyboard working... [begin default stupid questions] 1) is your keyboard pluged in properly and in the right port 2) did you try a different keyboard 3) did the keyboard ever work 4) can you get into the bios when the computer starts (hitting eather del, esc or f1 or f2) __________________ formerly brianmay27 Main laptop: hp dv9005us \| turion 64 X2 1.6 ghz \| 3 GB ram \| Vista ultimate \| 240 GB HD First build: pentium e2160 3.2 GHz \| gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L \| 2.5 GB ram \| 160GB HD If you can see this, you have WAY TOO much time on your hand. Or you're a mod going through my sig. But if you do, copy and past this in your sig.

04-11-2008, 06:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
JillyFilmKid New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Keyboard Hey guys, Thanks for your fast replies. My keyboard only doesn't work during the "safe mode" or "regular startup" screen. I can push f8 to go to the setup menu. But I don't know what to do from there. Can I get to the command prompt from there?

04-11-2008, 06:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
brian Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 3,472	no, you have to go into the repair consol in the xp disk or make a boot floppy __________________ formerly brianmay27 Main laptop: hp dv9005us \| turion 64 X2 1.6 ghz \| 3 GB ram \| Vista ultimate \| 240 GB HD First build: pentium e2160 3.2 GHz \| gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L \| 2.5 GB ram \| 160GB HD If you can see this, you have WAY TOO much time on your hand. Or you're a mod going through my sig. But if you do, copy and past this in your sig.

04-11-2008, 07:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
HippieGirl Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Purgatory - really! Posts: 70	Is the port connected properly? I've had a loose connection that made me lose my keyboard, just a thought.

04-11-2008, 07:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,005	The recovery console is reached when first booting with the XP installation disk. After the first screen comes up with the press F6 now for installing Sata/Raid drivers the next will see the press R now to repair the current installation. A dos type window will then be seen with a command line for manually typing commands in there. Once you are at the prompt you simply type in the chkdsk /r command to see the disk checking utility automatically start running on the next boot. That would be following simply typing "exit" to then see the command windows close and the system restart. It sounds like the copy of Windows is seriously corrupted possibly even from a virus to be seeing keyboard problems before even reaching the desktop. If you are able to get into Windows after the utility runs running a few antivirus and antimalware programs should be on the list. __________________ Youtube falls short of Google's expectations http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5336532 Congress studies how people track your online use http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5337932

04-11-2008, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
JillyFilmKid New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Memory Might I lose all my data if I successfully boot it up with the disk?

04-12-2008, 12:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,005	Booting to the recovery console for the check disk command doesn't harm any files presently stored on the drive. The idea is to find out why Windows isn't starting up normally by using one of the tools already included in XP for possible repair there. The full information on the recovery console itself is seen at http://support.microsoft.com/KB/314058 Did you know you can also see the recovery console installed as a boot option in XP? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654 __________________ Youtube falls short of Google's expectations http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5336532 Congress studies how people track your online use http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5337932

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