Ideas on an XP problem please

[ICIT2LOL]

I am thinking to save some expense I have been asked to look at an old XP machine that is used by a fellow who runs this machine to use CAD software in his cabinet making workshop.

Now the problem is it boots through the Windows screen where the dotted line runs across and then baulks at the welcome screen.

The inside is fairly clean and the only obvious problem was some noise on the graphics card fan on start up it disappeared after a while and I am guessing it only needs cleaning and re lubing.

Now I have got to scratch around for hardware details as I cannot run any info programs on the machine and the owner has no idea what is actually inside.

I know this is a tall order but any help would be really appreciated.

 

[marsmimar]

John, does the machine boot in Safe Mode?

 

[Berton]

A thought? Look closely at the motherboard components, I've junked quite a few WinXP machines because of bulged and leaking capacitors plus a couple of Vista machines that had been upgraded. Some years ago there was a manufacturing issue with the machine that made the capacitors.
https://www.google.com/search?site=...=true.2..0...1.1.58.hp..2.4.590.0.jqVEk3WuQdw

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks marsmimar didn't give that a thought must be slipping, and Berton yes mate have done a rudimentary check of the MB it is a micro ATX and there does not look to have any of those bad caps. In fact it is in remarkable condition considering the environment where it is kept.

The operator who works for the fellow says he did blow a lot of dust out when this problem started up though the GPU cooler I have to clean a bit more and re lube that fan.

Now I just found out why he wants this machine restored back if possible - it has approx $30,000 of CAD on it and that is not the full pro version:shock:

Anyway I am going to try safe mode now and see what can be done with it. Someone did mention to me about repairing the MBR using the installation disk and I am wondering if nothing can be done in safe mode if that is where I should head to??

 

[Berton]

Someone did mention to me about repairing the MBR using the installation disk and I am wondering if nothing can be done in safe mode if that is where I should head to??

What I usually do first is enter the BIOS Setup to change the boot sequence to the Optical drive first and boot to a diagnostic CD or a Linux LiveCD/LiveDVD to make sure the computer is still viable and can still read the HDD.

 

[marsmimar]

Shawn also has a startup repair tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

and Greg has his:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok update no safe mode loads files but then stalls at the next screen. I am trying a Kaspersky Rescue disk at the moment just in case something untoward has crept in as I don't think security was much of an issue for the fellow - but have to wait for updates for it. If anyone doesn't think it is worth it I will shut that down and look elsewhere.

Now one odd thing is that I have an inspection light over the opened machine and every time the hard drive actuates the light goes out Have checked the rails volts and all ok except the 12v which is tad under - 11.89v which is just within the 5% tolerance. Just another oddity running this machine or coincidence??

Anyway I shall have a look at those tutorials all the same.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Can you run a WinPE disc (or Live Linux CD/DVD) and use it to run some system info tools?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Can you run a WinPE disc (or Live Linux CD/DVD) and use it to run some system info tools?

I have a Ubuntu install disk TRY or INSTALL would that do Peter?? (I normally use that for reteiving data)

 

[lehnerus2000]

Terminal

Can you run a WinPE disc (or Live Linux CD/DVD) and use it to run some system info tools?

I have a Ubuntu install disk TRY or INSTALL would that do Peter?? (I normally use that for reteiving data)

Use the Try option, unless you want to delete the existing OS.

The only issue is that I don't know what GUI tools are available for interrogating the system.
This means that you'd have to use Terminal commands.

This link has some commands:
Linux List Hardware Information Command

I created a few scripts based on that link and zipped them up:
View attachment Hardware Scripts.zip

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks mate I might have to try the Ubuntu as the repair stuff I have inserted the XP OS disk gone to repair in Recovery Console and it is asking for an admin password and the fellow I cannot contact until later

 

[lehnerus2000]

Set Permission

You'll probably have to set the "Execute" permission on those scripts.

To set the Permissions and run the scripts have a look at these links:
command line - How to run a script? - Ask Ubuntu
http://www.stans-songs.com/how-to-run-a-shell-script/

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok mate I have the Ubuntu up and running and can see the stuff they want to recover before they probably trash this machine (which I will do up for some kid who cannot afford one as it has a decent processor Q8200 quad and 4GB RAM on a little Asus KP5PL-CM board) It is that expensive CAD stuff they want and are hoping it will install on a new tower with hopefully 7. .

 

[gregrocker]

XP has repair from the first R prompt after booting XP disk to repair Startup using these same commands: How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

Then if that fails to repair boot you can also run from the XP disk an XP Repair Install

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok Greg thanks mate I did try the second option way this afternoon but I did not get as far as the sliding yellow bar. Off the top of my head I cannot remember the exact process but it did end with that request to enter the Administrator word. As they do not know of such a word I tried the word itself - Administrator administrator ADMINISTRATOR Admin admin etc etc but no go. The owner tells me he was never given a password and they have never had to login to the machine.

The strange thing is that the install disk they gave me was still in it's sealed pack form Microsoft and I have no reason to suspect it is fraudulent. The only thing I can think of is the install was done via an OEM and whoever built this machine has been a tad obscure with the owner when he bought the machine and just picked up a MS packet and given it to him. So perhaps the package stuff is different to what was installed

Plus I checked in the BIOS thinking maybe it was in there as by this time I was really scratching round for ideas.

Still I have found all the data on the drive with a Ubuntu boot and shall try to retrieve what he wants most of all that expensive CAD software and workshop data.

I have a few other things to run yet like Speccy to find the activation code which I will compare to the package I opened this afternoon.
I think he is now at my suggestion thinking if that software can be retrieved then he will but a new tower with 7 on it or at least I can put 7 on it or even a new drive on this machine because I run a similar rig (Q#### CPU and 4GB DDR2 RAM) with 64bit 7 and in that case he will only be up for a new hard drive and OEM (about $185 AUD all up and my time to install it and configure the CAD stuff.

If he really wants a completely new rig then that's his choice but I wouldn't mind buying this one and doing it up for Lynne's grandkids.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Greg I just realized that link you gave me I was using the second option and not the first because I didn't want to wreck any data on the drive. So out of the three options I should use the top one -
"To set up Windows XP now. Press enter" ?? I can do that as long as I know the data will not be lost.

 

[gregrocker]

If there is no password then try leaving the box blank.

You do have to choose Setup to get to the R choice for Repair Install.

It keeps all files in place but is old enough now I would not risk files without backing them up first. To do this you can use a Linux Boot Disk, Paragon Rescue CD, or...

I've never tried to use the mini-explorer which XP disk offers to load drivers to copy out files which is the clever trick developed here to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console. But you can try it to see.

 

[techquest]

Don't know if it's fixed or if you have tried this, if you can get to safe mode that is:

Prevent programs from starting using msconfig

Prevent non-essential programs from starting; software that starts with Windows may interfere with other programs trying to start at the same time. Be sure to disable only items that are known and unwanted. Disabling programs that a device needs might prevent the device from working correctly.

1. Turn on the computer.
2. Press the F8 key repeatedly when the first screen displays, about once every second, until a menu screen displays.
3. Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to select Safe Mode.
4. Press Enter to start Windows XP in Safe Mode.
5. Click Start, click Run, and type the following into the Open field: msconfig
6. Click OK.
The System Configuration Utility window displays.
7. Click the General tab, and select Selective Startup.
8. Click the Startup tab and remove the checkmarks from any task that does not contribute to the system and is unwanted. If unsure about a task, write the name down and research it on the Internet later. Never remove a checkmark if you do not know what the task does.
9. Click OK to accept the changes, and restart the computer.
The computer opens into Windows when the startup software that is causing the issue is found.

If Windows or other important software stops working after using the steps in this section, restart the computer, press F8 repeatedly at the first screen to start Windows in safe mode, and use this section again to replace the checkmarks that were removed.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Greg here are some shots of what happens when I boot to the installation disk in the pics hopefully in order is what happens. I try the "R" option from the blue screen - I use enter instead of trying the password and pick fixmbr it takes me eventually to the warning screen.
What I am concerned about is that access to other partitions will be lost so what next?
Or should I use the top option in the blue screen?

Techquest mate have exhausted all the safe mode stuff - no go.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you select 1 for the OS to repair?

Still the same warning message? Google it's text to see how to resolve it.