I have found that "Last known good configuration" almost never works. And you usually can't boot to a CD until you go into Setup and change the "First boot device" to CDROM.
When a PC almost finishes booting to Windows and then freezes, the registry is usually the cause** (if you also can't boot to Safe Mode). Replacing the registry with an older backup is often the next step (unless "Last known... actually works). Windows 2000 and XP stores at least one backup in the Windows\Repair folder (WINNT\Repair for 2000). Replacing the following files (located in Windows\System32\Config) with the ones found in Repair (or Repair\RegBack) can work miracles: DEFAULT SAM SECURITY SOFTWARE SYSTEM Always good to rename the files being replaced instead of deleting them (just in case). You need to know a little DOS and use the Recovery Console, or special software to do this. Placing the drive in another PC will also work. Well worth the effort, compared to doing a complete reinstall, drivers, XP activation, etc. If the backup is very old then many programs may need to be reinstalled. Still easier than starting over, and the system can be very reliable. **If there is an error message (such as "No paging file...") or you ARE able to boot to Safe Mode, then the following does not apply, and the fix may be even easier. If you get a Blue screen which actually lists a file that was not able to load, then renaming that file will often allow the system to boot up. If the file is part of the antivirus program or other important program, that program may need to be reinstalled. Read Blue screens very carefully. Bil Green PC 1000 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 760-924-1000 Wednesday, January 5, 2005, 8:30:52 PM, you wrote: IVS> Good suggestion, but I would choose "Last known good configuration" first. IVS> If that doesn't work, try Jay's. IVS> When you place the XP CD in and reboot, you have to stay by the computer and press a key IVS> when it asks, or it will attempt to go into Windows. IVS> Jeff IVS> -- IVS> Intrepid Video TV/VCR Repair IVS> 263 S Front St, Steelton PA 17113 IVS> 717-939-7708; (F) 717-564-4952 IVS> www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net IVS> ----- Original Message ----- IVS> From: "Jay Cashman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> IVS> To: "ELECTRONICS PROFESSIONALS LIST" <[email protected]> IVS> Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 6:44 PM IVS> Subject: Re: [Techs] computer problem IVS> on sratup, press and hold esc key untill you see "press F1 for setup" this IVS> will get you into the cmoss setup screens. If you don't see anything out of IVS> the ordinary, exit out and reboot, after the memory check, press and hold f8 IVS> to get the windows startup options, and select safe mode. This will load IVS> minimal windows and allow you to access help - select windows troubleshooter IVS> and go from there IVS> Jay Cashman IVS> Jay Cashman Services IVS> 3824 Ance Creek Rd IVS> Reeds Spring MO. 65737 IVS> (417)272-9789 IVS> Satellite, Home Entertainment and Computer IVS> Installation, Service and Repair IVS> ----- Original Message ----- IVS> From: "Harrells Electronics" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> IVS> To: "intrepid video" <[email protected]> IVS> Sent: Wednesday, 05 January, 2005 10:44 IVS> Subject: [Techs] computer problem >> Hello Techs I have and computer question and relative of mine has and >> dell two years old no more tech. support.The operating system is windows >> xp . When you boot up the screen goes too blue with the windows xp logo >> and locks up the mouse pointer will still move around.Things we tryed >> ctrl alt delete and every combination of that,reset button ,c promp no >> dos on xp,remove power and apply again,install start up cd will not read >> ,right click mouse not working,esc and f1,still locks on blue screen and >> xp logo, will advance no futher.Any suggestions or help would be greatly >> appreciated Thanks Brian >> -- >> Harrells Electronics >> 910 East Butter Road >> York, Pa. 17402 >> 717-266-4934 >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tech Repair CD...order your just $99.00 plus shipping...One year of IVS> updates free. >> www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net >> Techs mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://intrepid-video.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_intrepid-video.com >> IVS> _______________________________________________ IVS> Tech Repair CD...order your just $99.00 plus shipping...One year of updates free. IVS> www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net IVS> Techs mailing list IVS> [email protected] IVS> http://intrepid-video.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_intrepid-video.com IVS> _______________________________________________ IVS> Tech Repair CD...order your just $99.00 plus shipping...One year of updates free. IVS> www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net IVS> Techs mailing list IVS> [email protected] IVS> http://intrepid-video.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_intrepid-video.com _______________________________________________ Tech Repair CD...order your just $99.00 plus shipping...One year of updates free. www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net Techs mailing list [email protected] http://intrepid-video.com/mailman/listinfo/techs_intrepid-video.com
