Windows could not start

hundredk

Following problems (virus, malware I think), whatever, the PC would only allow a destructable restore which I have done.

Apart from the annoying fact this does not restore to factory settings (loads of and some drivers software missing), it does load XP home service pack 1. From here automatic updates dowload and eventually after a couple of restarts SP2 is installed and all is fine.

Then I switch off and try to log on again immediately, all is fine but when I come to log on later, window won't load. The monitor either goes into shutdown (as though there is not input) or on the black boot up screen I get message "windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt": C\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM...at which point is asks for restore CD to fix.

I am confident the restore disc will get everything working again because I have restored as in para 2 several times now, but when it's closed down for some time the same happens as the above para.

A did wonder if it was hardware probs but all is fine immediately after a reload apart from it doesn't work for long after.

Another annoying thing is that once restored to XP home SP1, all the windows graphics are really clunky when dragging windows or scrolling. This is fixed when SP2 is installed but I'm sure it used to run on SP1 without the slow windows.

The PC is a second PC and not too old that it should run things when it's workingh (2004) and has loads of connectivity so would like to fix/keep going but without great expense. Its an Advent 3419a, 3.4ghz, 512ram.

Any ideas folks?

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a knackered HDD. Have a look at who the manufacturer is then download and run their HDD checking tool e.g. Hiren's Boot CD has quite a few bundled together.

hundredk

Deleted_User wrote: »

Sounds like a knackered HDD. Have a look at who the manufacturer is then download and run their HDD checking tool e.g. Hiren's Boot CD has quite a few bundled together.

Thanks, that was my first thought - amongst the many reinstalls I have had ble chkdsk screens (though they seem to have stopped now), BIOS check sum error (but windows subsequently loaded) and I do seem to hear more of a clicking noise although that could be me imagfining things now its not working.

However could a faulty drive allow what appears to be perfect restores each time only for it to subsequently fail. Would it just not write to the disc during restore?

[Deleted User]

hundredk wrote: »

However could a faulty drive allow what appears to be perfect restores each time only for it to subsequently fail. Would it just not write to the disc during restore?

Yes. However unlikely it sounds I've troubleshooted this with my own eyes. Spent hours and hours running tools off the Hiren Boot CD to "regenerate" bad sectors. I would definitely suggest unscrewing the compartment, figuring the manufacturer out then running their official HDD checker tool...

hundredk

Deleted_User wrote: »

Yes. However unlikely it sounds I've troubleshooted this with my own eyes. Spent hours and hours running tools off the Hiren Boot CD to "regenerate" bad sectors. I would definitely suggest unscrewing the compartment, figuring the manufacturer out then running their official HDD checker tool...

Ok thanks, I've checked the spec of my PC here and the disc is a 160 GB Seagate Barracuda ST3160021A.

So would that either eliminate or diagnose the problem?

I have looked at Hirens site but not sure what I should download?

Sorry for all the Q's..all new stuff to me:)

[Deleted User]

hundredk wrote: »

So would that either eliminate or diagnose the problem?

Knowing the make of the HDD isn't going to eliminate it from failure...

I'd suggest downloading SeaTools for DOS.

Check out the See the tutorial / Learn more sections for assistance

spud17

100% agree with all davidmt83s advice.

Hard drive about to die.

Just seen a Toshiba laptop with exactly the same Windows......config message.

I also ran HDD regenerator which gave a temporary fix, and allowed me to get data off.

After a few more boots, while using it as a trial for some security products, the BIOS now gives the message 'imminent HD failure back up all data'.

hundredk

Deleted_User wrote: »

Knowing the make of the HDD isn't going to eliminate it from failure...

I'd suggest downloading SeaTools for DOS.

Check out the See the tutorial / Learn more sections for assistance

spud17 wrote: »

100% agree with all davidmt83s advice.

Hard drive about to die.

Just seen a Toshiba laptop with exactly the same Windows......config message.

I also ran HDD regenerator which gave a temporary fix, and allowed me to get data off.

After a few more boots, while using it as a trial for some security products, the BIOS now gives the message 'imminent HD failure back up all data'.

Thanks guys.

I initially though HD was the problem when I couldn't get restore CD to load. Anyway following advice above I have swapped HD with one from an older PC and still got the same problem. Since then I have swapped back to original HD (ie 2 identical 160gb segates) and installed HD utility (Activesmart) which monitors HD tem and loads of other stuff, all of which show OK. I have also changed CMOS battery.

Could the HD temperature cause PC to hang - ie unable to turn off or ctrl-alt dlt or anything but hard reset. Thinking about it I am not sure if fanns are running less than initially and whether there are some settings that can be altered for this. Current HD temp is 48 degrees c. Oh, C & D disks "power-on hours" are 12644 and 12638 respectively which suprised me for a 6yo PC but then again I did use it a lot!

spud17

Current HD temp is 48 degrees c. Oh, C & D disks "power-on hours" are 12644 and 12638 respectively which suprised me for a 6yo PC but then again I did use it a lot!

Don't know what to suggest, but I'd say 48deg is pretty warm, even with my old [STRIKE]radiator[/STRIKE] Athlon which ran at 55°C+, the HD ran at 30°C.

Just done a quick calculation, the failed 7yo Toshiba HD that I mentioned, shows 209 days (5016 hrs)in Ubuntus Disk Utility.

[Deleted User]

hundredk wrote: »

Anyway following advice above I have swapped HD with one from an older PC and still got the same problem.

So are you saying the swapped HDD had a working copy of XP / Vista on? You then swapped it and it displayed the, 'windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt" error message?

hundredk wrote: »

Since then I have swapped back to original HD (ie 2 identical 160gb segates) and installed HD utility (Activesmart)

So when you swapped it back you were able to boot into Windows?

hundredk

Deleted_User wrote: »

So are you saying the swapped HDD had a working copy of XP / Vista on? You then swapped it and it displayed the, 'windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt" error message?


So when you swapped it back you were able to boot into Windows?

Sorry, I've just read my last reply and it wasn't very clear. The 2 PC's are:

1. ME PC, 1ghz, 512ram (upgraded), 40gb
2. XP Home 3.4ghz, 512ram, 2 x 160gb HD (C & D drives)

The second is the one I am having problems with. I have taken the 40gb dive out of PC 1, put it in PC 2 and used XP restore CD to load XP on to the smaller, older drive. This worked and ran XP (albeit a little slower loading), just as it did with original drive. So I carried on using thinking that all was well but after a while the same problems arose as with original 160gb drive.

So I put the older ME PC back together, used the ME restore disc and that works fine, therefore I believe I have eliminated faulty HD as the problem? That plus the utility showed C & D with same no of hours and the data disc (D) works fine when windows is loaded - as does the C drive.

New problems, or maybe the same problem developing is that the PC worked fine then the display would hang - mouse and keyboard not working as wouldn't ctl alt dlt, so hard reset. In the last few attemps I've had the screen flickering, a "fizzing" noise coming from base unit followed by screen going blank and "no input" displayed, a few more hangs and now the screen continually says "no input". When start button is pressed there is a clicking noise suggesting some component or other has failed. The monitor is fine (tested with ME PC) so I am beginning to wonder if the fault is with the graphics card. Would this make any sense given recent and previous symptons?

I don't mind spending a few quid to fix but want to avoid getting parts that are not needed.

Thanks again for suggestions.