Unbootatble XP PRO

Hello Windows Tech folks, My Inspiron 9300, xp pro sp3 started installing lots of updates then a couple of days ago began flashing websites, then a red windows security alert, now no boot past bios. Actually, I can select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Command Options, press enter and the select operating system screen comes up with Windows XP PRO highlighted. After enter the next black screen appears and writes the following three lines and THEN it freezes completely; multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(o)partition(1)WINDOWS\system32\ntoskrnl.exe multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(o)partition(1)WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(o)partition(1)WINDOWS\system32\KDCOM.DLL Just before this writing to you, on another computer, I downloaded and burned an AVG rescue disk, booted it from the cd drive and it ran its scan. It's report said 'no problems' so there was nothing to rename, etc. Upon changing boot order back to HD and rebooting the same result ocurred. I cannot get anywhere past the three lines above. I started this query this morning in the Malware Removal forum and was just directed to restart it here for a Windows tech. I run my business from this laptop and I'm dead in the water. Thanks very much in advance. Olympia

Hi Olympia, welcome to WhatTheTech.

It sounds to me like you may have a corrupted file system and need to run chkdsk. Do you have a Windows XP install CD? If not, you can create a bootable CD containing the Windows Recovery Console that you can then boot to run chkdsk from.

You are going to have to get into BIOS Setup on your computer to set the CD/DVD drive as the first bootable device, so you can then boot your XP CD, unless it provides the ability to press a Fn key at boot time to bring up the boot selection menu. If it does, use that.

How you do this varies with each manufacturer. Normally you press F1, F2, F10 or Del when you see the manufacturers logo. Often there is a clue somewhere on the screen when you boot normally telling you what key to press. Some computers (most newer ones) have a key you can press (often F12) to bring up the Boot Menu from where you can select the CD/DVD drive to boot from.

If you don't have an XP CD, download and run ARCDC by Artellos. It will download the required files from the Microsoft Web site and create a .iso file. It will also offer to burn the iso image to a CD for you. If you don't do it then, there is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do it at a later time. If you're unsure how to do this, you can follow the tutorial here: How to Burn an ISO File

Boot the CD and at the first opportunity, enter R to start the Recovery Console.
Next, choose which XP installation you want to login to. Normally this will be 1.
Lastly you will be asked for the Administrator password. Just press the Enter key as the Administrator does not have a password (unless you gave it one, then you would enter it).
From the command prompt, type chkdsk /r and press Enter
Allow it to complete undisturbed. It can take an hour or more depending on the size of the hard drive.

Remove the CD, type exit and the computer will reboot. Hopefully that will have fixed the problem (corrupted file system). If not post back and we'll see what else we can do.

Question: Since you run your business from this laptop, do you have a backup that you can restore from if necessary?

Rich, Thank you for your quick reply and clear instructions. It will take me a couple of days to download and burn the disk and proceed as directed. As many small business sole proprietors, I have a patchy back-up picture and I am loathe to replace the system, so fingers crossed, etc. Back to you by 2/16 at the latest. Olympia

Hello again, I downloaded, burned and ran the ARCDC disk and was able to run the chkdsk scan. After a couple of hours, and showing various percent complete messages, it said it had found and fixed one or more errors. I typed exit but I could not eject the disk with the power on so I turned it off and ejected it on restart. Then restarted, reset the boot order back to the HD, resarted it and then the Dell Hello screen proceeded and then, SAME thing. Windows won't boot. I then tried to retart in Safe Mode and got the same result as first noted. It types three lines and then freezes in the same place as before. BTW, I haven't tried booting to Last Known Good Configuration. Waiting hopefully for your next reply, Olympia

Tried booting to last Known good Configuration. Nothing again

Sounds like the operating system is corrupt. Prior, it sounds like you caught a significant malware infection. There could be any number of issues at play here. At this point you need to decide just how critical the system is, especially the data that is on it. If you run a business, and have business data on it, I suggest you seek professional help to recover the data and reload the system. If you like to tinker and really don't care about the data, then there are various ways to attempt to copy your data off of the hard drive. Afterwards, you're pretty much at the point of having to do a full system recovery. On Dell's that process is started by pressing Ctrl + F11 at the Dell boot screen. This process will restore the computer to its original factory state and erase any installed programs or data. Once you decide just how important the data is to you, then come back and tell us what you want to do.

Rich,
Thank you for your quick reply and clear instructions.

It will take me a couple of days to download and burn the disk and proceed as directed.

As many small business sole proprietors, I have a patchy back-up picture and I am loathe to replace the system, so fingers crossed, etc.

Back to you by 2/16 at the latest.
Olympia

Unfortunately, whether business or personal use, "many" folks have not yet taken action to protect their important data.

For home users, the result may be loss of "priceless" family photos, "precious" correspondence with loved ones, and "important" family or personal planning documents.
It would not be wise to wait for a grandchild to mature to a point when then are asking the futile question: "Where are those wonderful pictures of our childhood."
For a business user, data loss can have more immediate consequence, from transactions currently in process, to progressive and annual projection, to audit and tax considerations.
It would not be wise to wait for a customer or IRS auditor to inquire: "Where are the records of your transaction."
_____________-

Important personal and/or business data should be backed up to at least one external source, and better to two or more rotating external sources.

If you haven't already, it is time to backup important data before catastrophic failure threatens its loss.
If you are already facing catastrophic failure, it is still your next most important step to Recover and protect with redundant backup, any important data you do not wish to loose.

The topic of data and system backup has been featured in numerous threads here at WTT, and every other forum and major publication that I've ever read.
This is not a good time for a lecture or an opus on all the various backup/recovery options that are available. It is time for you to take Action to recover and protect your data.
___________________

At this point, you will need a Second known-good working computer that has good security protection installed.
You may also need to learn about how to do backups and how to work with the hardware inside of your machine.
Otherwise, as Appleoddity suggests, it is time to get out the ole' checkbook and pay a competent professional to do these things for you.
Since you are posting here for help, I'll assume that you at least are interested in learning how to better manage your computer and data.
Or at the very least that you may need to know how to ask a professional for help.

The two options below require some modest skill and knowledge pre-requisites.
If poorly performed, it is definitely possible to cause more damage even when hoping to effect a rescue.
So ASK Questions, as necessary

Two options (of the many)…

for both options below……….. Buy an External Hard Drive

1. Using a second known-good machine. create a Linux Puppy bootable CD
— Boot your main (problematic machine) using the Puppy CD as the first boot device.
— Use the utilities available in Puppy to copy/paste your important data to your new External HD.

2. Using a second known-good machine, remove the Hard Drive from the main (problematic machine) and install it into the known-good machine.
— Use the Windows Explorer functions of the known-good machine to copy/paste your important data to the External Hard Drive
______________

In anticipation of future similar problems….

Establish a regular and progressive Backup routine
Establish a system backup with drive image software such as Acronis, Macrium, or other .iso image backup.
______________

You should not launch any of the above procedures unless you already know how, or now put yourself to the task of study and learning how.
Ask questions as necessary.

Note:

Please be aware that we are all volunteer helpers here.
We can't be responsible for mistakes you may make.
We can't be responsible for failed suggestions we may make based on information that you have not yet provided for us.
And we are not here to help you make money or retrieve money that you have mistakenly put at risk.

But if you demonstrate a willingness to roll up your sleeves, put on your thinking-cap, and learn how to better manage your own system, you will probably find that many WTT helpers will have useful suggestions that you can employ for your own benefit.

We won't second-guess any paid professionals that you may employ to handle your situation.
And we won't do the work for you.
If you need help learning how to do the work for yourself, you may have come to the right spot.

Best Regards

Thanks again. I'm a tinkerer who would like to go one or two more steps before I go to my IT pro service. Three questions: 1. I do have an external HD that I back up to and use to store large graphic files. However, it broke down 4-5 months ago. It's not the drive, it's the USB port. What I'm behind on is buying a new case for it and transfering its HD to the new case. So, my question is, do you or WTT have any pertinent suggestions on brands, device types, etc. for the new case? One of the reasons I'm motivated to self-help here at WTT is that I feel a bit behind the time computer-wise, and I'm viewing this as an object-oriented way to catch up. 2. I just located the original Dell system back-up disk. There is a system Dell check I was able to access from the pre-boot bios screen which I ran until it asked me to insert the system disk to complete the diagnostics. I didn't proceed because I wanted to hear your next response and not do anything you had not directed between messages. ShallI re-run that test and insert the disk when requested? 3. Is the action in (2), above, the same thing as a System Restore or 'Refresh' as I was reading on the Dell Windows site? Thanks much111

Probably not a good ideas, if you have valuable data to preserve from the Hard Drive in the Dell machine.
Proprietary Restore routines offered by Dell/HP/Sony/etc. tend to be destructive, wiping the entire boot drive and installing a fresh copy.

That can be just fine, if you've already backed up all your data, email, favorites, media, passwords, etc.
Otherwise you may lose stuff you wish you hadn't.

OK, I'm on your page. I just purchased a new case for my faulty external HD, will make the transfer to get it operable and will read-up on the Linux Puppy Bootable disk. My plan now is to try that next to retrieve my critical data since last back-up, then reinstall the system, sofyware, drivers etc. Olympia

Hello again. I've been avidly reading up on Puppy in the various forums & its home community, but ii's hard for me to to understand the finer grain, since Linux is greek to me, Can you direct me to a set of step by step instructions specific for the transfer -cut and paste- of windows files to an external HD with using Puppy. Will they be Linux files or still Windows when they arrive on the external HD? Thanks again Olympia

Hi olympia, There's nothing really you need to read up on…. Puppy is very simple to use. If you can use Windows then Puppy will be easy!
However if you are wary of it…. then you could always pull out your hard drive from the unbootable machine and fit it temporarily to a different machine and copy off your data…. ( it will be seen by the computer as an extra drive.) If you do this then also do a full scan with the updated resident anti virus and anti spyware program as its possible that your hard drive could be infected and so could your back up files (its quite possible for some nasty types of infection to be present in "back ups")

Obviously you will need to take ESD (anti static) precautions and all the usual personal safety steps, when opening your machine. (if you are in any doubt on these, post back and we will provide guidance.)
If you want to use Puppy then here's my "canned" words on how to go ahead: The Linux Puppy Live distro is a very useful tool, that is in constant use in the workshop, but for a home user it has 3 main uses:

In explanation, Linux Puppy Live distro is a self contained operating system that runs in memory from a CD…..or even a thumb drive if you are crafty (That's what the "Live" bit means), so it doesn't need Windows at all, IE no need for a working copy of Windows XP, Vista or any earlier version of Windows. It is in effect an alternative to Windows and also has the advantage of being free (quite legally). Because Windows is fitted to the majority of PC's, folks are often unaware that there are different operating systems available….one of the advantages of Linux is that it is issued free under a general licence unlike some other operating systems (like Windows or Mac's) that are charged for by their developers.

1 If a machine won’t boot, then we need to know first off, if its a hardware problem. or an operating system (Windows) problem…..if it is hardware then there's no need for us to spend time trying to alter Windows settings……. so first we try to boot from the Linux Live Puppy disc (altering the boot priority in the BIOS if necessary to facilitate this) if the machine works perfectly under Linux then we can be reasonably sure that the hardware is OK and so we start looking at the Windows operating system to try and identify the problem so that we can fix it.

2 If a machine won't boot into Windows even in safe mode, It can be a very worrying time.
For Example
When the machine won't boot up, no matter what you do and you realise that all your important stuff, (music, photos, work, address books and contact lists, emails, downloaded programs and all your Microsoft Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, data bases PowerPoint presentations and all the rest perhaps including the only draft of the book you have spent the last 3 years researching and the writing of your PhD thesis) have all disappeared………… then we can try to boot into Live Puppy, mount the hard drive (Live Puppy does this automatically) and copy off the data to safe external media (its surprising that despite everything that has been written about the need for back ups, so few folks actually have an up to date accurate and reproducible back up of all their important stuff kept safe on removable media…… When copying off stuff using Puppy, there are only 2 things to remember:
A. Make sure your external hard drive (the location where you will save the stuff you copy off) is plugged in and powered up (if necessary) before booting into Puppy. This way it will be easy for Puppy to "see" your external hard drive.
B. You will be able to recognise both your Windows hard drive and your External hard drive by the "size" that Puppy reports. Some folks find it easier to copy things off by opening a window for your hard drive and also your external hard drive so you can see them both then just drag and drop the files between them.
(NOTE)
only drag and drop One Folder at a time. (if you try and copy more than one folder at a time you will give the poor Puppy indigestion! As soon as you have copied one folder across sucessfully its OK to copy the next one and so on.

Linux Puppy backup
Back up when you can't boot into Windows
A.) Please take the opportunity now to bring your back up/archive/copy of all your important stuff 100% up to date, check that it's accurate, reproducible and held securely on removable media (not your hard drive)……
the idea here is to ensure that all your important data, files, spreadsheets, work, music, emails, log in details, user names, address book, drivers, letters, invoices, videos etc….in fact everything that is important to you (stuff that you would not like to permanently lose) is kept safe on external media. I recommend the use of a USB external hard drive for this.
Whilst you are doing this, collect together all your application installation discs (or downloaded installation executables) serial numbers, product licence keys (including the one for Windows itself and the Microsoft Windows installation disc and or Manufacturer's Restore and Driver/utilities discs.
If you have made a "disc image" using Paragon, Acronis, Ghost or one of the free disc imaging alternatives then keep this image safe also on removable media, verify it for correctness and reproducibility and ensure you have made a bootable CD/DVD for use in the event that Windows will not start.

Now, here's the detailed instructions on how to do it:
B.) Download Linux Puppy from here:
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%…g%20Started.htm
Its a download of only about 100MB, so a broadband connection is advisable for the download… Puppy is an alternative operating system….. it does not need Windows to run, and the licence to use it is free of charge and comes included automatically. It is different in its interface from Windows, but sufficiently intuitive for most folks to use it successfully without problem.
C.) Burn the iso (that you have downloaded) to CD ROM as an "image"…it must be as an image, a copy will not work!……..Imgburn is good for this, available from here:
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
D.) Switch on your "original" computer and Set Bios to Boot from CD as first priority…on most Dells it's F2 to enter the Bios (set up) otherwise try F12, Esc or Del.NOTE you will need to press the appropriate key (to enter the Bios) immediately after power on.
Your hard drive should be next in priority followed by USB/network if the settings provide these options. Remember to save your altered settings in the Bios before exiting
E.) With your external back up media plugged in to a USB port I.E. External USB hard drive, flash drive etc and the Linux Puppy CD ROM inserted into the CD drive, close down your machine and:
F.) Boot from the CD, you may get a message to "press any key to continue booting from CD" so allow this, Now follow the on-screen Linux Puppy prompts (remember don't install it) let it run in memory, it will be quite happy doing so, and will allow you access to your Hard drive so you can copy off to your external media anything you need. You will soon get used to Puppy and you'll find that you will be able to use the Internet and do most things that you want to do. However as you need to back up your files, I suggest you concentrate on copying off your important stuff first.

Will they be Linux files or still Windows when they arrive on the external HD?

They will be your files, exactly as they were on the computer's original internal hard drive, so you don't have to do anything (apart from scan them with multiple virus scanners until you are completely sure that they are clear of infection) . You can use them normally when you have reinstalled the operating system on your computer. They will not be "Linux" files. just your own files.

3 Puppy is a useful tool to keep for the future and also a super way of becoming familiar with a different operating system…….without making any changes to the hard drive..that might affect Windows…its a way of learning and experimenting and finding out information in a no risk, or at least low risk way.

There's lots of other things, but hopefully, the above will give you the idea.
Regards
paws

Hello again. I'm trying to access my HD to transfer data to my external HD via Puppy per your instructions. I downloaded Puppy to another laptop and burned an iso copy to cd, changed my sick bios to boot from CD, restarted it with the Puppy cd in the drive and it told me "NO BOOTABLE SYSTEM". I had titled the disk PUPPY. Does it need to have the proper .iso file name in the title for the sick computer to recognize it? Or is there another reason I'm missing. In boot sequence I turned off everything but CD/DVD device. Help!! and thank you. olympia

You can't provide a "title" to a disc when you burn an .iso. The .iso contains the title provided by whoever created the image.

Apparently, you are not burning the .iso file properly.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetr…burnisofile.htm

You use CD/DVD burning software that allows you to burn an image to disc, at which point you select the .iso file for the source.