Windows Xp Will Not Start - Why?

[Mrs. Muddled]

The day before yesterday I wrote an email, didn't finish it so saved it to my drafts file. I don't recall whether I signed out of Outlook Express and went back to the desktop or not. That is usually what I do when walking away from the computer.

 

When I returned to the computer several hours later, the screen was black. Everything was frozen and I had to force it to reboot. I got the black screen with white text telling me Windows had shut down abnormally and I was given several options for starting it. None of them worked except safe mode...and then I didn't know where to go from there. I would log off and try to re-start.

 

The Gateway screen would come on, followed by Windows XP for a few seconds - and then it gave up and the screen would go black again - everything frozen.

 

I'd force it to start again. I tried all the options. I could get it to go into safe mode and everything looked normal. When I logged off it went back to the black screen and I'd start from scratch again.

 

I had a CD-RW in the e drive. I ejected it.

 

I took the computer apart and dragged it down to Staples. The guy plugged it in and there was nothing wrong with it.

 

I paid the bill and trundled the thing back home after being instructed to only plug in the basic stuff like mouse and keyboard etc. Each time I added a new plug I was to re-start the machine.

 

I blew air all through the insides and cleared out all the dust.

 

It appeared to be working ... until I tried to open an email from the day it crashed, and all there was was a blank square where the text should be - and the computer froze up again.

 

I managed to get it going again.

 

All was well until today, when I decided to plug in the cord that connects the monitor sound (my monitor is a Samsung with the speakers inside) ... I turned off the machine in re-start. The screen came up black again. Gateway flashed ... Windows would not start. It was the whole routine all over again. Force start ... black screen with text ... safe mode worked.

 

I was flummoxed.

 

I realized I had again left the CD-RW in the e drive. I wondered if somehow that was interfereing with the opening of Windows. I ejected the CD-RW. Logged off and re-started the computer.

 

Worked.

 

Now I'm wondering if somehow that CD is what is stopping Windows from opening properly. Can they do that? Could it be interfereing with the path that kicks Windows into gear? Can u not leave a CD-RW in the e-drive when you log off the computer?

 

For the past couple of months I've been having trouble with the computer when I leave it not back at the desktop. I had it set so that the monitor would shut down after a couple of hours. If I left the computer with either a website or OE or anything still on the screen - when I returned to the computer I would have to do a forced start and reboot it because it woud be frozen. I've done this quite a few times.

 

The incident with the black screen plus the white text was a first.

[TCH-Bruce]

The normal boot order on today's machines is to boot from a CD then the Hard Drive. So in answer to your question, yes, it's possible.

[Mrs. Muddled]

The normal boot order on today's machines is to boot from a CD then the Hard Drive. So in answer to your question, yes, it's possible.

Wow Bruce! Maybe there is hope at the end of the tunnel huh?

 

I've never had a problem on this "thing" that I couldn't solve if I stayed in my bathrobe and agonized over it for an entire day. I'm very hopeful that you are right on with your comment.

 

I'm going to turn it off now and start plugging "stuff" back into it. If you don't hear from me again ... well ... I'll eventually surface again ... I always do.

 

MM

[Mrs. Muddled]

Well, I'm baaaaaaack!

 

So far so good.

 

I'm wondering "why" the computer was freezing up prior to THE BIG CRASH.

 

If I left it with something on the screen like an open website or an open email --- anything other than the empty desktop ... often when I'd return, the screen would be black and the machine would be frozen up. I'd have to do a forced start far too often. But, I WAS able to re-start it, unlike this most recent event where Windows wouldn't boot up.

 

What might be causing this?

[Madmanmcp]

often when I'd return, the screen would be black and the machine would be frozen up. I'd have to do a forced start far too often. But, I WAS able to re-start it, unlike this most recent event where Windows wouldn't boot up.

 

What might be causing this?

 

Sounds like its stuck in sleep or hybernation mode, try turning the Power or Energy Save options off. In CONTROL PANEL click on POWER OPTIONS and make sure all three selections say NEVER. See if this corrects the problem.

[Madmanmcp]

The normal boot order on today's machines is to boot from a CD then the Hard Drive. So in answer to your question, yes, it's possible.

 

I can't count the number of times someone has brought me their PC and alls I did was remove the music CD or the last program they installed from the drive. And with newer PC's allowing boot from external USB devices I've seen the same issue with USB sticks being left in.

 

With new technology comes more support issues.

[JTD]

Just my 2 cents worth but maybe a new format and a reinstall of the OS is in order. My first desktop was and old Dell 800mhz machine that came with windows ME And before XP came out about every 3 to 4 months I had to re format and install the os again. Not saying that is the problem but it might help.

[Samrc]

I recently had a boot issue on my home machine that during boot up I would stuck on a black screen with white prompt and would NOT load. Had no new program or CD in drive. Changed out my CMOS battery (quarter-sized flat battery) attached to my mother board. Simple and easy to pop out the battery and put in a fresh one. Hardest part was to get under the desk!

 

1 hour of diagnosis and dismantling CPU

30 minutes to Radio Shack

$4 battery,

Everything working again like normal: PRICELESS.

Edited March 19, 2007 by Samrc

[Mrs. Muddled]

Just a note to say "thanks" for all your comments. The computer has been running normally since I did the obvious (I'm soooo embarrassed) and removed the CD-RW I'd forgotten all about in the e drive.

 

I'll remember the other suggestions offered, just in case I run into a similar problem and the e drive is empty.

 

Cheers!

[stevevan]

Don't feel bad. After many years of working with computers and electronics in general, sometimes I overlook the simplest things, too!

 

Glad you figured things out! Lesson learned, eh?

[Mrs. Muddled]

Wouldn't you just know it! This morning the computer screen was frozen. Go figure! Fortunately I was able to force it to boot up.

 

Sheesh!

[Mrs. Muddled]

I recently had a boot issue on my home machine --

Sam, how often is that battery likely to need changing?

[TCH-Bruce]

I've never had to replace one. But, batteries should last about 5 years.

[Madmanmcp]

Sam, how often is that battery likely to need changing?

 

Its been very rare for any of the machines I have needing a CMOS battery replaced, I have an 800Mhz HP Pavilion Pentium I purchased in 1999 thats hasn't needed one yet. The last one I remember replacing was an IBM 286 model.

 

Did you check the power or energy savings features I mentioned? Maybe its an overheating issue, the PC shuts down when it gets too hot and you are finding it in that state.

[Mrs. Muddled]

Yes, they are all never never never.

[stevevan]

Wouldn't you just know it! This morning the computer screen was frozen. Go figure! Fortunately I was able to force it to boot up.

 

Sheesh!

Maybe you might want to try a 5-10 pound "alignment tool" and scare it into cooperating!

[Mrs. Muddled]

Steve,

 

I can't tell you how many times I've had that very thought.