BleepingComputer.com: Forced power off, now Windows won't load

Hi. This is a problem that my friend is experiencing, he''s really worried about it so I would appreciate some help please.

His computer has been acting really weird for a long period of time and today its gotten way worse. For the past few months really, it's been extremely slow, takes long for applications to load and close (especially IE / firefox), even a delay with typing/using the mouse. He's constantly run virus/malware scans, so he doesn't think it could be an infection.

Today, he was using it as he always has, using the internet mainly when it started to get a bit slow. So he decided to check for virus/malware again. However after a few minutes this froze up. He couldn't even close it using task manager. And eventually the mouse/keyboard stopped working altogether. So after waiting a while, he turned it off by force pressing the power button.

Now, each time he tries to turn the computer on he gets a blue screen with an error message (which he can't read as the screen goes away too quick) and then he gets the screen where you choose how you want Windows to load. Each option he chooses, nothing happens - just a black screen.

He has the Windows disk but is there anything else that could be done without losing everything?
What could be the problem?

Thanks so much.

Hit F8 just after post, and use Safe Mode to look at the logs. That will tell us the BSOD.

cryptodan, on Feb 11 2010, 03:18 PM, said:

FunkyChicka, on Feb 11 2010, 03:05 PM, said:

So he can't load Windows in any mode.

At the BSOD look at the bottom and see if you see any numbers.

I would try running the chkdsk /r command from the XP Recovery Console...anytime a hard shutdown occurs, there's a chance that system files are damaged.

Chkdsk /r may be able to overcome such, if it has occurred.

How to Create a Bootable XP Recovery Console CD - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html

How to use CHKDSK in the XP Recovery Console - http://pirules3.14.googlepages.com/recovery_console_chkdsk

Louis

cryptodan, on Feb 11 2010, 04:39 PM, said:

Is this what you mean?

*** stop: 0x000000ED (0x83327818.0xC000009C.0x00000000.0x000000

STOP ED errors: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297185&sd=RMVP.

Running the chkdsk /r command from the Recovery Console normally takes care of this, unless the problem is more severe.

Louis

I would try a different cable.

hamluis, on Feb 11 2010, 10:43 PM, said:

Can you please give steps on what exactly needs to be done in order to run this command?

Thanks.

Edit: Nevermind, I realise the steps are in the link. Thanks.

This post has been edited by FunkyChicka: 12 February 2010 - 07:26 AM

Let us know how it goes .

Louis

FunkyChicka, on Feb 12 2010, 12:25 PM, said:

He's tried Method 1. When he chooses to repair he gets a screen explaining 'This is a repair tool etc'. But then it tells him to press Exit. When he does this, the computer just starts back up with the same old problem.

Should he wait a while before pressing Exit to see if anything happens?

I see why that was misinterpreted...yes...after typing chkdsk /, he should hit Enter. Then wait for the command to execute. Depending on the size of the C: partition and the condidtion it's in...it could take some time.

After the command completes, the screen will go back to where it's waiting for a command to be typed. At that point, type Exit and hit Enter.

System reboots, hopefully into XP.

Louis

hamluis, on Feb 12 2010, 10:29 PM, said:

Aaaah. Thanks.

This post has been edited by FunkyChicka: 12 February 2010 - 06:09 PM

It worked!
Thank you so much!!

Glad it resolved your situation, thanks for the feedback...happy computing .

Louis