Windows XP Error: Could not Boot after update

[xnox202]

Guys, I'm in a real problem here. I just restarted my pc after 4 days of it having not to shut down, but that doesn't really concern my problem actually. I just had this Windows Update going on in the background, and it asks me to restart the pc to apply the updates. Yes yes, I know.. M$.

So from there, my system restarted, loading BIOS screen and etc. What happens next? The Windows XP Logo screen and the loading bar, ah yes.. the normal booting up routine. But here comes the problem, I noticed my RAM LED is not moving at all. Pretty weird I thought, then the worst thing happened. BANG, screen turns to black screen, and restarted itself. Does the routine again, "Start Windows Normally".. And again, loading screen, no LED activity on RAM, then PC crashes, restarts again..

I also just installed some softwares upon the restart, but nothing Driver related (I hope, but there was one). I installed F.E.A.R, G.T.A: San Andreas and Inferno. This one game prompted me to install the Ageia PhysX Driver, 6.10.. But apparently I have the UT3 Demo, and it already came one which is the driver version 7.0.2 I think. I skipped that installation, but everything seems to be fine. I played all the games later, and it was working properly.

I seriously think is because of the Windows Update though, where it prompts me to restart.. Then this whole mess happens. I have valuable datas inside which I haven't backup yet. (I do have, but it's like 1 month old, and there's already alot of things I added since then).

Tried:
- Rebuilding the Bootsector if that does anything anyway.
- NTDLR, ntdetect.com re-placed, reloaded from WinXP CD I have.

Help guys! It's like, I was working on my school notes before then. Then this M$ problem update shit comes up. I bet you guys know how I feel right now. :shadedshu

[newconroer]

Can you get into Windows via safe mode?

Also run a dskcheck.

Others should be by shortly to help you along.

[xnox202]

Forgot to mention, yeah I tried so. Still no boot into windows. It hanged half-way.

I also tried clearing CMOS whatever means necessary, overclocked or no-overclocked.. I'm feeling it's software related.

I appreciate anyone who would help with me with this. I just need to get this thing going. :/

[xnox202]

C:\>chkdsk

50% Completed.
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems.

What the hell? Dammit M$ Updates! I knew I would be better off with "Do no install updates automically". Seriously, now how do I fix this? :mad:

[xnox202]

Some hours later.

[Namslas90]

Try using "System Restore" (from safe mode)to a date before the updates. :toast:

[xnox202]

Thing is, I could not boot into safemode. Is there a way to system restore by using recovery console?

[Namslas90]

Thing is, I could not boot into safemode. Is there a way to system restore by using recovery console?

No, but recovery consule should have a "NON- Destructive" restore. :toast:

[thebeephaha]

Run a Windows repair installation.

[newconroer]

Hopefully he had system restore on.

My Vista doesn't have system restore. Thank God for TuneUp utilities.

While you're at it, how about some Memtest? Or do you not have a floppy drive?

[erocker]

Try swapping your ram sticks around, then try one, then the other.

[xnox202]

Hey guys I'm back from school. Just had my exam earlier on. Now onto the problem.

Thanks for the suggestions, but:

@erocker: I tried so already. One stick, each in one of the four slots, dual channel non-dual channel it still doesn't work. As I probarbly said, it's not really hardware related, somekind of software did this.

@newconroer: Well I don't know, I don't a floppy though. But I did burned a Memtest.iso, ran sometime before and it goes okay. I don't know if I should run so.

@The rest in this thread: I'm actually more interested in how to repair the Windows XP Installation or System Restore by Recovery Console. I don't wan't to lose my files just yet. Any suggestions how to do so? Some google search I did kept going back round & around, saying use the Recovery Console but never said anything about XP Repair. :sad:

[thebeephaha]

Boot off XP CD, at the first screen it will ask if you want to enter the recovery console or install windows xp, choose install windows xp. Then it will detect you already have an existing installation, choose the repair function it now shows (it says press r or something like that).

It will now reinstall all the windows system files but leave programs and documents intact.

[xnox202]

Okay, I'll try it now. Thankies!

[imperialreign]

if you can run chkdsk and it reports back errors - try running scandisk from the prompt, and see if it can repair the bad HDD sectors.

It almost sounds to me that part of the boot sectors of the HDD either became corrupted, or horribly fragmented. If you have a spare HDD laying around with nothing important on it - plug just the spare HDD into the mobo and do a format/install of XP on it - if it boots no prob, then you've got an issue with you current HDD.

[xnox202]

Well, I remembered before I restarted the PC completely, where the message "Windows is Shutting Down.." there, it holds up for a minute, installing the updates and etc, then I noticed a BSoD at the very end of it, then it restarted the PC, and this thing came up.

My overclock was 4 hours free from Prime95 errors, memtest passes at 250Mhz (of which I was running in the overclock settings) for some hours too. I can run it again to re-confirm my memtest that passed @ 250Mhz speeds.

Repairing the Windows XP Installation would revert back all of my GUI settings, no? I mean, for Windowblinds, etc?

Edit: I mean, what do I lose by using the repairing option?

[jocksteeluk]

repairing windows will just fix any damaged files, id suggest taking off your over clocking settings the try booting in, maybe when you updated you also updated some censoring device which is now causing you a problem with your over clock settings.