Ooops. I forgot the Microsoft XP restore help link
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084>
Chuck Norcutt
On 2/22/2014 11:45 AM, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> Did you attempt to boot the machine in "safe mode"? Booting in safe
> mode allows booting with only a minimal set of supporting software such
> as device drivers. From the Wiki article "safe mode"
> =======================================================================
> Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and
> Linux Mint are examples of contemporary operating systems that implement
> a safe mode (called "Safe Boot" in Mac OS X); as well as other complex
> electronic devices.
>
> An operating system in safe mode will have reduced functionality, but
> the task of isolating problems is easier because many non-core
> components are disabled. An installation that will only boot into its
> safe mode typically has a major problem, such as disk corruption or the
> installation of poorly configured software that prevents the operating
> system from successfully booting into its normal operating mode.
>
> Though it varies by operating system, typically safe mode loads as few
> executable modules as possible and usually disables devices, except for
> the minimum necessary to display information and accept input. Safe mode
> can also take the form of a parallel "miniature" operating system that
> has no configuration information shared with the normal operating
> system. For example, on Microsoft Windows, the user can also choose to
> boot to the Recovery Console, a small text-based troubleshooting mode
> kept separate from the main operating system (and can also be accessed
> by booting the install CD), or to various "safe mode" options that run
> the dysfunctional OS, but with features such as video drivers, audio and
> networking disabled.
>
> Safe mode typically provides access to utility and diagnostic programs
> so a user can troubleshoot what is preventing the operating system from
> working normally. Safe mode is intended for maintenance, not
> functionality, and provides minimal access to features.
>
> Microsoft Windows' safe mode (for Vista/XP/2K/ME/98/95[citation needed])
> is accessed by pressing the F8 key as the operating system boots.[1]
> Also, in a multi-boot environment with multiple versions of Windows
> installed side by side, the F8 key can be pressed at the OS selector
> prompt to get to safe mode. However, under Windows 8 (released in 2012),
> the traditional press-F8-for-safe-mode-options UI convention no longer
> works, and either Shift-F8 or a special GUI-based workaround is
> necessary.[1]
>
> An equivalently minimal setting in Unix-like operating systems is
> single-user mode, in which daemons and the X Window System are not
> started, and only the root user can log in and which allows an
> administrative account commonly known as "root" to have its password
> reset without knowing what it is first.[2] On Mac OS versions 6, 7, 8
> and 9, a similar mode is achieved by holding down the shift key while
> booting, which starts the system without extensions. In Mac OS X holding
> the shift key after powering up activates Safe Boot that has background
> maintenance features (Besides the mode selection, it runs a file system
> repair, and in Mac OS 10.4, it disables all fonts other than those in
> /System/Library/Fonts, moves to the Trash all font caches normally
> stored in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/(uid)/, where (uid) is a user ID
> number such as 501, and disables all startup items and any Login Items)
> and can reset an administrative accounts' password.[3] In Windows, safe
> mode with networking, one of the variations of safe mode, can be used to
> troubleshoot network issues. In OS X, Safe Boot always includes networking.
> ======================================================================
>
> If you can boot the machine in safe mode you may be able to get to
> "System Restore". Each time the OS goes through some significant system
> software update the OS sets a "restore point". That is, it makes copies
> of the files to be updated in the event there is a problem caused by the
> update itself. One can then return the system to that prior point.
> There should be many restore points available to you. Your problem is
> to find the most recent one that allows your system to boot. If there
> is one (and there may not be) you may be able to get the system running
> properly again without the complete restoration of system and apps. It's
> also possible that, even if you're able to get the system running again,
> further system updates to bring the system back to the level it should
> be could reproduce the same problem. But that will likely happen anyhow
> even if the system is restored from scratch.
>
> If it was me I would not be doing what you're doing.
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft is dropping all further support of XP in a matter of weeks.
> Even if you get it back up and running you're going to be faced with
> problems of another kind. Don't go there. Bite the bullet and get a
> Win 7 machine. Go for a refurb'd model to save some money (and for a
> better chance of finding a Win 7 vs Win 8 machine). I will be replacing
> my wife's Dell XP laptop very soon with a Win 7 laptop for the same
> reason. The old Dell laptop will be re-purposed as a Linux machine
> (maybe Puppy Linux) and will be used solely for banking and investment
> transactions. It will likely only ever know about 4 or 5 websites. Note
> that browser infections from infected websites are now a much more
> likely cause of security breaches than viruses infecting the OS. That
> goes for Apple and Linux too.
>
> ps: If you can get the old machine to boot in safe mode or with the Win
> XP install disk (or read the disk by attaching to another computer) you
> might want to take an inventory of applications installed. You've
> likely forgotten about many of them but not necessarily because they're
> forgettable. Compare your set of install disks with those things you
> actually use.
>
> Chuck Norcutt
>
>
>
> On 2/22/2014 9:58 AM, bj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>
>>
>> Chuck advised;
>>
>> Ah, but what happens to your apps. Your apps are
>> not data in the same
>> sense that your images, email and other documents
>> are. After the OS is
>> reinstalled the old applications must also be
>> reinstalled to rebuild the
>> registry. That requires having the
>> installation media or whatever
>> source provided the installation files
>> in the first place. Make sure
>> you know what you bargained for.
>>
>> Chuck
>> Norcutt
>> //////////////////////////////
>>
>> On 2/21/2014 4:25 PM,
>> bj@xxxxxxxxxxxx.nzwrote:
>>
>>> Before I went on holiday nearly a month ago,
>> my computer failed - wouldn't boot at all. I finally, yesterday, took it
>> to a repairman of good repute, who has just reported back that the
>> operating system is corrupt. So he will lift the data off, reformat the
>> HDD, re-install XP, and re-load the data. It will be great to have it
>> back again. Brian
>>
>> /////////////////////////////
>>
>> I understand ( I
>> think I do). But what alternatives, if any, do I have?.
>>
>> In most
>> instances I have saved the install file original, so re-installation
>> should be possible. (But I have MANY programs installed :-( )
>>
>> Can you
>> please respond also off-group as well as on; I get this news via the
>> Digest, which incorporates a delay of some hours. The sooner I can get
>> back to the repair-man and discuss, the better.
>>
>> I know he has a major
>> job for a large outfit to get his head around (during the weekend)
>> before he tackles my machine, but nevertheless the sooner I can speak
>> with him the better.
>>
>> Man; will I ever love to get my machine back !!!.
>>
>>
>> The wretched keyboard of this HP Pavilion dv6 just about drives me
>> nuts.
>>
>> I DO however like the Windows 7 version of "Free-cell" though.
>>
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|