BleepingComputer.com: XP Home SP3 Will Not Load

Hello.
I have a Dell Dimension E530 running XP Home SP3. It's about 4 years old. Normally, it is left on most of the time. Since we were away over the weekend, I turned it off. I had recently done some cleanup (deleting tmp files, removing old programs, and defrag). I was careul not to delete any OS related programs...only those I knew were 3rd party that I installed. The drive (160gb) is at about 80-85% capacity (hence the cleanup attempt).

When we got back and turned it on, the BIOS booted but the OS wouldn't start. I could see it going through the memory checks and all but when it came time for XP to start, all I get is a black screen.

Could I boot from the install CD and see the HD? Are there any utilities I could get to help me through this?

I'm not sure what other information you need so let me know.

Thanks for reading.
Thom

When the system first boots tap the F8 function key several times and you will get to the advanced boot options screen. From there, can you get to safe mode?

Havne't tried that. Will do so tonight and let you know. Thanks.

Tried that and it hung on the driver AVGIDSxx.sys. I gave up because I had already installed a larger drive. I simply connected the old drive and currently copying all the files over.

Thanks for the help.

Well, let us know if you want to fix the first installation (you'll have to do a repair install)

Allan,
You're clairvoyant. I do want to repair it. Before I do that though...

I've been starting in Safe Mode and it seems to be hanging on different AVG drivers. First it was AVGIDSxx.sys. Since I have the same program installed on the new drive, I renamed that file with the prefix OLD-. I then copied 4 driver files from the good installation on the other drive. It didn't hang on that driver. But it did hang up on the driver avgrkx86.sys.

Is there anyway to go into the old drive and take AVG out of the boot process to see if that lets me in?

This post has been edited by SuperT: 06 September 2011 - 09:24 PM

Just uninstall AVG (be sure to replace it with a different anti virus app though, don't run without one). And here's the process for a repair install:

Boot to the XP CD and choose the SECOND repair option, allowing XP to install on top of itself. After completion you'll need to go to Windows Update and download & install all updates (except for hardware & driver related updates, which should never be downloaded from Windows Update - only from the OEM websites). Here is a clear tutorial on how to perform a repair install: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

Thanks Allan.
I'm a bit confused how to uninstall AVG if XP won't boot, but perhaps you meant after the repair. I'll follow that link and give it try.
Again, thank you.