Windows won't start

[koopa-on-fire]

I am using a different computer right now because of a big issue. My laptop with all my information and RMXP stuff won't start-up. It goes to a black screen with grey text saying "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this....." and it gives me options for starting in Safe Mode, SM with Networking, SM with Command Prompt, Last known good configuration, and Start Windows Normally.

I've tried last know good config. and start windows normally, but Last Known just goes to a black screen and Start Windows Normally freezes the computer.

Please help!

 

[Lackluster]

I am using a different computer right now because of a big issue. My laptop with all my information and RMXP stuff won't start-up. It goes to a black screen with grey text saying "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this....." and it gives me options for starting in Safe Mode, SM with Networking, SM with Command Prompt, Last known good configuration, and Start Windows Normally.

I've tried last know good config. and start windows normally, but Last Known just goes to a black screen and Start Windows Normally freezes the computer.

Please help!

Go to a computer store and get it fixed. End of.

 

[koopa-on-fire]

Go to a computer store and get it fixed. End of.

That's kind of inconvenient based on my situation. First off, I don't have a driver's license, and I don't know anyone willing to take me. Also, there is no bus or shuttle operating at the time, and the closest computer store would take about an hour to walk to. I don't have that kind of time.

 

[Lackluster]

That's kind of inconvenient based on my situation. First off, I don't have a driver's license, and I don't know anyone willing to take me. Also, there is no bus or shuttle operating at the time, and the closest computer store would take about an hour to walk to. I don't have that kind of time.

Noone is willing to take you? Don't you have friends or family?

 

[koopa-on-fire]

Ha. I do have friends and family, yes. But, seeing as how I am the oldest, none of my siblings can take me. My mom is busy doing nurse stuff, my stepdad is working on something for his work, etc.

 

[Lackluster]

Ha. I do have friends and family, yes. But, seeing as how I am the oldest, none of my siblings can take me. My mom is busy doing nurse stuff, my stepdad is working on something for his work, etc.

And your friends? :P

 

[koopa-on-fire]

Well, my friends are either gone for spring break or can't drive, so I can't say they'd be much of a help now, can I?

 

[Lackluster]

Well, my friends are either gone for spring break or can't drive, so I can't say they'd be much of a help now, can I?

Wow your luck blows...hard?

 

[koopa-on-fire]

I know, seriously. It's okay though. I guess I can wait until tomorrow. It's not like I'm going to die without my computer... At least, I hope not...O_o

 

[Rhazdel]

Try booting up in Safe Mode. Once (if) it boots up, do a normal Shut Down and then try restarting. It will screw around all of your settings, but those can be easily fixed.

Sometimes, when a program crashes, it can cause errors. Starting in Safe Mode can usually fix these, and then a normal Restart (from the Start Menu) should allow it to function correctly.

This isn't a guaranteed fix, but it might work.

 

[koopa-on-fire]

Try booting up in Safe Mode. Once (if) it boots up, do a normal Shut Down and then try restarting. It will screw around all of your settings, but those can be easily fixed.

Sometimes, when a program crashes, it can cause errors. Starting in Safe Mode can usually fix these, and then a normal Restart (from the Start Menu) should allow it to function correctly.

This isn't a guaranteed fix, but it might work.

Exactly what do you mean by "screw around all your settings"?

EDIT: On safe mode, it just loads all the System32 Drivers and goes down to ...\System32\Drivers\Mup.sys and stops... Now what?

 

[Lackluster]

Exactly what do you mean by "screw around all your settings"?

Take off their pants and have your way with them

 

[koopa-on-fire]

Take off their pants and have your way with them

Lol I wish it was that simple! Seriously, though, nothing is working.

 

[Lackluster]

Lol I wish it was that simple! Seriously, though, nothing is working.

You need to grab it by it's haunches and hump it into submission!

 

[Rhazdel]

Starting in Safe Mode usually bumps your Screen Resolution, system colors, etc. down to the basic settings (if you had them set higher).

How long did you let it load? Sometimes loading up system drivers can take a while.

Also, if you have a power supply, plug your laptop in (rather than running it off of battery) until you can get this issue resolved. Running off of your battery can slow down your processing speed (ie: long load up times), and (I'm sure you already know this, but just in case) keep your PC off of any surfaces like a bed that can block the airflow vents on the bottom of your laptop. Overheating can also cause slow processing/freezing.

Do you have Windows XP or Vista?

Since it gets past the initial boot screen, what you can try is backing up your harddrive (do you have a backup?) and then reinstalling Windows.

NOTE: There is a chance of data loss if you do not have a recent backup of your harddrive for the following.

If you have a backup, on the load screen, it should say "Press Delete to enter setup".

Press Delete.

In the Setup (it's a little different depending on your CPU/Motherboard), there should be Startup Preferences. In there, it will give you the option to set your start up order. Make sure that "CD ROM" drive is set higher (will boot before) your harddrive.

Now, insert your Windows CD and reboot.

It should boot from the Windows CD. Go through and select "Install Windows XP/Vista", and, when given the option, select "Repair Windows Installation".

This option will reinstall (repair) your OS without touching your data on the harddrive (there is a small chance some data may be lost/damaged).

If this fails (and you still have your backup!), you can try the same option, but instead of doing a "Repair Installation", just do a new reinstall. This will reformat your harddrive and you will lose all your data that was not backed up.

Kind of drastic, but it may save you the $$$ it takes to have a pro look at it.

Of course this all depends on if you have a recent backup of your harddrive.

If you don't have a recent backup, let me know and I can walk you through some of your other options.

 

[Xilef]

This happens to my laptop all the time! (It's an ei system laptop)
Take out battery and power supply and every usb thing in your laptop, then boot up in safemode (F5 when starting up) and if that doesn't work then leave it a while and press F5 when booting again and select last known good configuration that worked, if that don't work, then safe mode again.
Repeat until it is fine!

 

[Xilef]

Look. It works, okay? My laptop charger might be held together with super glue, but it works! So all is fine when I fix things, because it works!

 

[Rhazdel]

Most newer computers have a recovery partition. If all else fails, you should be able to restore the original factory settings from that. Sadly, that will kill everything, your installed programs, your saved files, everything.

I hope you've been backing up.

He still may have a couple of options before he wipes his harddrive. He can also utilize an external harddrive, boot from there and try to recover/backup files before a complete wipe.

 

[Xilef]

Or you could do the thing I did to my laptop when it first broke back in '03.
Get a screw driver, take out the hard drive and shake it around for a bit (I cried when at that time because I thought I would never again play Mech Warrior 3 or laugh about the superiority of rpg maker xp compared with 2000 to my friends, so shed some tears too)
Pray to the earth's giai or something like that, I didn't do this, but it might be fun, and then send it to pissy werld and get them to do the most useless thing they can think of. Replace the motherboard.
That was what I did when my laptop first broke. But that was before I got this error message that you now have...So you could try the el felixio tactic 3, which will be explained in my next post.

When my laptop broke the 4th time, I copied the HD and wiped the old one, then copied my old files, rmxp, documents, most of system32 etc back onto the hd.

 

[Rhazdel]

Ok. Sorry, missed that. I just want him to know he has options before he jumps to the extreme.

And, I agree. Sorry, el felixio, but stay away from my electronics