PC boots until the xp logo and then dies - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

jch · 2006-12-10, 09:32 PM

Hi, I have an Emachine with Windows XP Home version. My problem is when i turn the computer on, it boots until the xp logo and then dies; the monitor with no signal goes black.
1. I like to reformat the hard drive (if that is the problem) but when I boot with the XP CD, there was no option for formating the HD; only Install, Repair or Cancell.
2. I boot the computer in Safe mode, it dies after printing some steps.
Anything I can tried? or Can someone tell me what is the next step in the Windows XP bootup sequence after displaying the Windows Logo on the screen? Thanks in advance.

kgeorge78 · 2006-12-10, 09:50 PM

reformat.

Use the install CD. Click new install. It will then ask you to format. Dont to a quick format. Do a low level full format.

Install your drivers when your done and go from there.

hugh · 2006-12-10, 11:01 PM

I had the exact same problem recently with my daughters computer.

I was going to format but decided to try a repair. It did work and the nice thing was I didn't need to re-install a lot of programs.

shawguy · 2006-12-10, 11:06 PM

Yeah I would try a repair first, because you can always do a re-format if that doesn't work, but if it does, it saves you ALOT of time and effort (I learnt the hard way) and also like kgeorge78 states, low level formatting is the best way to go, just don't accidently hit the reset button half way through it....another learnt the hard way experience....I love computers. ha ha ha.

Good luck

diogen · 2006-12-10, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jch

....I boot the computer in Safe mode, it dies after printing some steps.

What is the last line you can read before it dies (last library it is trying to load)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgeorge78

...Dont to a quick format. Do a low level full format.

Full format is not the same as low level format.
WinXP install CD doesn't do low level formatting, only hard drive utilities from the HD manufacturer do.

Diogen.

stampeder · 2006-12-11, 02:28 AM

Some BIOSes have a low level hard drive format capability too.

diogen · 2006-12-11, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampeder

Some BIOSes have a low level hard drive format capability too.

True.
But with latest generation 250+GB drives those generic tools better be avoided.

Diogen.

kgeorge78 · 2006-12-11, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugh

I had the exact same problem recently with my daughters computer.

I was going to format but decided to try a repair. It did work and the nice thing was I didn't need to re-install a lot of programs.

Hugh,

When u go to the repair console, how do you do a repair?

Does it reinstall the necessary files.

Thanks

I_Want_My_HDTV · 2006-12-11, 11:48 PM

It's been some time since I did this. IIRC, you will see a prompt that says new installation or repair. Choose repair (not repair console.) You will need an XP installation disk that has the same service pack as the PC. i.e If the PC is at SP2, you will need an SP2 installation disk. Original XP disks can be upgraded to SP1 or SP2. If you need to upgrade your WinXP disk, do an internet search for "slipstreaming Windows XP". If the repair works run Windows update.

stampeder · 2006-12-12, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diogen

But with latest generation 250+GB drives those generic tools better be avoided.

You didn't say why. I'm referring to recent boards that understand SATA and large disks. What is the catch regarding a non-OS reformat when you cannot boot an OS and have no other recourse?

diogen · 2006-12-12, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampeder

I'm referring to recent boards that understand SATA and large disks.

I understood that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampeder

What is the catch regarding a non-OS reformat when you cannot boot an OS and have no other recourse?

I think we talk about different things.
A low level reformat utility from hardrive manufacturer does what an OS cannot do.
I've seen some Tyan server boards (at least at the time of PIII) that had the option of low level reformat for hardrives.
With the latest breed of large drives (NCQ, cache algorithms, etc.) generic low-level formatting tools are not recommended.

Diogen.

CanucksRock · 2007-01-15, 03:21 PM

Hi - I encountered a PC with this problem on the weekend. It would not load windows - just kept rebooting once it showed the error.

So I searched the Microsoft Support - this was the resolution

Boot with the Windows XP CD - select repair.

When your at the C prompt type - chkdsk /r

Worked like a charm! PC rebooted no problem afterwards.

2006-12-10, 09:32 PM	#1
jch Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	PC boots until the xp logo and then dies Hi, I have an Emachine with Windows XP Home version. My problem is when i turn the computer on, it boots until the xp logo and then dies; the monitor with no signal goes black. 1. I like to reformat the hard drive (if that is the problem) but when I boot with the XP CD, there was no option for formating the HD; only Install, Repair or Cancell. 2. I boot the computer in Safe mode, it dies after printing some steps. Anything I can tried? or Can someone tell me what is the next step in the Windows XP bootup sequence after displaying the Windows Logo on the screen? Thanks in advance.

2006-12-10, 11:01 PM	#3
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	I had the exact same problem recently with my daughters computer. I was going to format but decided to try a repair. It did work and the nice thing was I didn't need to re-install a lot of programs. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2006-12-10, 11:06 PM	#4
shawguy Premium Supporter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Winnipeg with Shaw HD, BB20, and Phone. Posts: 3,227	Yeah I would try a repair first, because you can always do a re-format if that doesn't work, but if it does, it saves you ALOT of time and effort (I learnt the hard way) and also like kgeorge78 states, low level formatting is the best way to go, just don't accidently hit the reset button half way through it....another learnt the hard way experience....I love computers. ha ha ha. Good luck __________________ - My Shaw Phone Review UPDATED - Shaw Gateway, DCT2000HT, DCT2500, DCT700, DCT6200, DCT3416, DCX3200, and DCX3400

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2006-12-10, 09:50 PM	#2
kgeorge78 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 731	reformat. Use the install CD. Click new install. It will then ask you to format. Dont to a quick format. Do a low level full format. Install your drivers when your done and go from there.

2006-12-11, 02:28 AM	#6
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Some BIOSes have a low level hard drive format capability too.

2006-12-11, 11:48 PM	#9
I_Want_My_HDTV . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 6,297	It's been some time since I did this. IIRC, you will see a prompt that says new installation or repair. Choose repair (not repair console.) You will need an XP installation disk that has the same service pack as the PC. i.e If the PC is at SP2, you will need an SP2 installation disk. Original XP disks can be upgraded to SP1 or SP2. If you need to upgrade your WinXP disk, do an internet search for "slipstreaming Windows XP". If the repair works run Windows update.

2007-01-15, 03:21 PM	#12
CanucksRock Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 86	Hi - I encountered a PC with this problem on the weekend. It would not load windows - just kept rebooting once it showed the error. So I searched the Microsoft Support - this was the resolution Boot with the Windows XP CD - select repair. When your at the C prompt type - chkdsk /r Worked like a charm! PC rebooted no problem afterwards.