Author Topic: computer boots in SM but not to normal windows (Read 18950 times)

chiro.j.elliott · « **on:** April 18, 2012, 08:51:49 am »

i got this old computer from a friend and want to clean it to give to my mother for basic internet- e-mail and pictures. it wont boot to normal windows. it gets to the windows logo screen and reboots. it does boot to safe mode( where I am now) I tried running the all in one windows fix but know some things dont work from safe mode. is there a way to run repair in safemode? I have run Spybot S&D malwarebytes and step by step all in one windows fix. nothing has changed. I also tryed running windows repair from an old XP disc I have and it wont run becouse it gets to the screen aasking for admin password( is none that i know of) and wont progress past that question. I have no CD's for this computer tough it does have COA sticker on the back. I care nothing about any info on this computer but with no disks and such wanted to try and repair rather than wipe and have to buy new windows for it!!

any help would be of great assistance.
Thanks
Josh

Shane · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2012, 01:39:24 pm »

My windows repair 1.7.0 should run fine in safe mode.

Also if it is rebooting then it is getting a blue screen but it is set to restart when it gets a blue screen. You can disable that so you can see what the blue screen is.

First thing I do for my customers is test the memory and hard drive. These can cause blue screens.

There is a free memory tester here
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Run it for about 15 to 30 min and see if you get any errors.

Next thing to do is run a chkdsk on the drive and have it look for bad sectors. If it finds any you need a new drive.

If both of those test fine then we need to start looking at Windows itself

First thing is to find out what is causing the blue screen. But lets confirm the hardware first before digging into Windows

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2012, 02:45:05 pm »

I'll try those two things assuming you mean do them in safe mode correct??? also I never get a blue screen it just restarts while on the windows logo screen!!

will keep you posted thanks!!!
Josh

Shane · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2012, 02:53:37 pm »

Right, you wont see the blue screen because it reboots

When you hit the f8 key to get to safe mode you will see a disable restart option

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2012, 08:37:47 pm »

both test came back clean!!!

Shane · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2012, 08:58:37 pm »

OK when you turn the computer on hit f8 to bring up the Windows menu. Choose disable restart and when it blue screens tell me what you get

Also while in safe mode try running tdsskiller.exe just to be sure you dont have that rootkit.

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2012, 08:05:34 am »

ok TDSkiller came back clean!!

Blue screen says im assuming genaric stuff on top then at bottom gives tech info.

Says ------ stop: 0x0000007E ( 0x0000005 , 0xF6FAFB34, 0xF798220c, 0xf7981F08)

Shane · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2012, 01:16:35 pm »

Does it show a file name on the blue screen as well?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330182

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2012, 02:37:43 pm »

I don't see a file name!!!

Shane · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2012, 02:58:45 pm »

Dang, sometimes it shows a file name which would tell us what is causing the crash.

We know it is either a program or driver causing the crash since safe mode works.

In safe mode go to start, run and put in msconfig

Click on the services tab. Put a check on hide Microsoft services. Then uncheck everything in the list.

Next click on the startup tab, uncheck everything there and hit apply.

Now reboot and see if it will boot normally

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2012, 03:12:02 pm »

no change on reboot

Shane · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2012, 04:41:22 pm »

Then it looks like it is driver related.

Question is which driver?

First thing to try is in safe mode go to the device manager. Uninstall the video driver from there and reboot.

Shane

chiro.j.elliott · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2012, 07:39:16 pm »

well looks like that was it!! video card driver must have corrurupted somehow. uninstalled rebooted loaded right to normal windows and has now re-installed drivers..

Thanks soo much for your help!!!
Josh

Shane · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2012, 09:09:11 pm »

Glad that got it fixed

Since your all fixed I will lock this thread.

And as always...
If your happy with my work. Then all I ask in return is you simply let others know about my site and programs. I help with anything computer or network related

Also always feel free to make a post in the feedback forum.

Shane