Member Avatar for Kyo

"We are sorry for the inconvience, but Windows did not start succsesfully, a recent hardware/software change may have caused this"
I was always afraid to installed SP2, and this is exactly why. Earlier today I decided to install all the windows updates, and get them going. I installed SP1, and all the other updates, when time came to install SP2. I installed and it told me I needed to restart, I did, and now i'm reciving that error message. I have tried many things, I tried safe mode and last known good config. I have even gone into the safe mode that loads only the windows domain drivers, which works. I can get into safe mode, and use my computer. But when I shut down, it gives me the same message. I'm not quite sure what to do, and any advice would be quite helpful. Thank you.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Josh Holden

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This situation (SP2 installed, normal boot fails but Safe Mode with only Windows drivers works) strongly points to a third-party driver or service interfering with the normal boot. already noted the Safe Mode clue; , and suggested rolling back or disabling components. Before removing large items, gather evidence to find the precise offender and avoid unnecessary reinstalls.

Enable boot logging (F8 -> Enable Boot Logging) and open the resulting log in Safe Mode at C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt to find drivers that failed to load or that abort during normal boot. Check the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for errors timestamped at the failed boots — those entries often name the problematic driver or service. Use a binary-elimination approach on non-Microsoft services (msconfig -> Services, hide Microsoft services) rather than disabling everything at once: disable half, reboot; if the failure persists, re-enable that half and disable the other half, repeating until the single culprit is isolated.

From Safe Mode, attempt safe repairs before drastic steps: run System Restore to the point dated immediately before the SP2 install if available, run System File Checker and check the disk for corruption, and export important files while the system is accessible. Example commands that help in Safe Mode or from the Recovery/Repair environment:

rstrui.exe
sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /f /r
notepad C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt

If diagnostics point to a particular third-party security driver, network driver, or a recently added device, remove or roll back that specific component. If isolation and repair fail, back up data from Safe Mode and consider a Repair Install from the XP CD as a last step.

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Member Avatar for antioed

I can get into safe mode, and use my computer.

Have you tried removing the service pack from Safe Mode? Before you do that you might want to disconnect any external devices and see if it's just a compatibility issue with a SP2 and USB driver or something.

Member Avatar for nanosani

Uninstall any device drivers installed by sp2 .. and see if it starts normally ...

Or you can remove physically all the accessories like modem, lan etc ... and try starting windows..

Member Avatar for Josh Holden

Try disabling all programs, which auto start with Windows.

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