XP will not load, even in safe mode

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bigj480

New Member
When powered up, my computer displays a screen that basically says that windows did not successfully start up and that it may be because of a recent software or hardware change. The only change that I made recently was to install the bundled software that came with an MP3 player, that can't be it. It then gives me the option to start up in safe mode(also with networking or with command prompt), in normal mode or using the last known good configuration. None of these work, it just repeats the cycle, I can't even get to the command prompt screen. Is there any way to repair this without losing data? I have an XP cd, but it was not used for the current installation as it came preloaded. Any help will be appreciated.
 
Hi, i have had a similar problem, turned out that my secondary HD had failed, but dont panic there are a few other posibilities for this.

Firstly i would un-plug all un-needed devices especialy USB devices (as there ar a few known issues regarding these and your problem), try it with just your mouse and keyboard attached (oh and the monitor lol). If that works plug everything in one by one untill you catch the offender.

If that fails i would then take the side of the case of and make sure all the IDE cables are correctly inserted as they can work there way loose from time to time! (IDE cables are the flat usualy grey ribbons that go from the motherboard to the hard drive and cd/dvd drives) It would also be a good idea to check everything in there is properly seated while the case is off!

When you try and start windows how far does it get before rebooting? (MUP.SYS?) If it is a system file that has been corrupted, you may still be able to use the recovery console from the disc to replace the offending file without reinstalling.

If you are thinking of reinstalling windows over the top without formating i cant see any reason why you would have a problem, just make sure you have the right code for that disc and it should work! If it cant for whatever reason, it will tell you in the xp setup program and in which case just cancel it.

hope that helps
 
hmm your partitions might of did something i had the same problem long ago and i had to set my frist partiton to active and then it worked. But sounds like you need to check you hdds and make sure the jumpers are right and make sure no hdd fail or burned out.
 
Exactly, when I try to load in safe mode it stops at "MUP.SYS". Does that indicate anything? I can repair the system using the windows disk even if it is not the disk used for the install, correct? I'll have to hunt down that disc or buy one if I can't find it. I have no USB items connected right now, just the necessary stuff plus speakers. I only have one sata HD installed, but I will check all of the cables. I have no idea how to change the partition settings, especially without even a command prompt. My main concern is the loss of family photos and videos, I have a bunch on there and they can't be replaced.:(
 
HOLD IT BEFORE FORMATTING!!!! if you have the xp cd boot to the cd and select the R for repair mode then log into your windows usually its #1 and type your admin password, if you have not set one then just hit enter when prompted you will then get a prompt. Type chkdsk /r do that 2 times and then try to restart windows!
 
Just to clear things up, the fact that it stops at "MUP.SYS" doesn't really diagnose the problem? Can you tell that I'm a noob?;) My other computer, the one I'm using now, is extremely slow and has no sata connections. So, if I can't connect to the other computer, due to a lack of sata connections, am I risking my data by attempting a repair?
 
What windows you have ? if you have XP home sp2 i can let you buy it from me ill make you a copy and send it to you . I have it . ITS a business One and you can enter a different keys in it will work. ( as long there a WORKING KEY NOT FAKE KEYS )

Or you can find a away on the net and see if you can tranfer it on a cd to your files on your computer. ill look something up.
 
Hi Mup.sys does not indicate too much other than there is a good chance there are a few issues with possibly corrupt system files its just the last one to load so it's kinda the fall guy. Anyhoo get hold of your XP cd and follow the instructions here http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2109p156id111652.htm and you should have no trouble, if that does not work you could try putting the HD as the secondary on another machine and taking your data off it that way so you can do a clean format knowing your data is safe.
 
Yes, I have XP home sp2, but I have a cd. Unfortunately, I've moved recently so it will be a hassle to find. No, CCPS, I can't get into safe mode at all. Raise109, on the page you referenced it says:

There's a difference between a repair reinstall and a complete reinstall. Though a repair (also called a refresh) will let you keep your current settings, a complete reinstall will give you a truly fresh version of Windows. Repairs are fast and easy, but they don't fix anywhere near as many problems. The instructions below are for total reinstalls, except where noted.
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I can't find any method listed on that page where it is specifically noted that they are anything but total reinstalls. Can you verify that those methods would keep the data that I mentioned? Are they simply sating that you will lose some settings but not data? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I'm lost. Another interesting portion of that page is this paragraph:

Reader Robert Mazzeo of Royersford, Pennsylvania, points out that the "Sudden Reboots" tip in my July column missed three common causes of sudden computer reboots. A bad power supply, a faulty video card or driver, and a failing RAM chip are often the source of these boots out of the blue. Also, if you follow the column's suggestion to use a can of compressed air to clean out your computer's insides, wait at least 2 hours before turning your system back on.
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For the past couple of months I noticed the fan on the power supply was basically "throttling" up and down almost the whole time that the computer was on. I cleaned the the tower and the inside of the power supply but that didn't keep the fan from staying on. It may have been doing this for a while, but I only noticed it wen the fan got noisy. Is there a way that I can check my power supply? Can I simply swap with this computer to check it? Thank you for the help and sorry for the long post.
 
Hmm i can get you windows xp sp2 not that much around 50-80$ ill let you buy it . but i dont know how you would put it in .my idea you would by entering the CD and repair it .
 
elitehacker said:
Some good PSUes does have termperature controlled fans, my PSU doesn't power up until a threshold temperature.
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I know, but the fan in my PSU powered up instantly and would not shut off. It also started making a "whistling" noise, but that is probably a separate issue.
 
ok try reading this one (http://www.informationweek.com/wind...VSFHTSQSNDLRCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=189400897) it is easyer to follow but is the same. What it does is delete all/most of the system files then copies fresh ones of the cd, hopfully replacing the offending file. Your data and folders etc will remain untouched as you left them, it may get rid of some of your drivers, and you will have to put them back on manualy from you driver disks or from the internet, in most cases when/if you get back into windows this will be detected and it will re-install them from the windows update utility for you.


changing the PSU might be the solution, if its behaving like you say, gotta be worth a shot egh!
 
Ok, I will swap the PSU and ,if that doesn't work, I will follow the instructions in the previous link. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help! I will let y'all know if this doesn't solve the problem, but I think it will.
 
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