Member Avatar for bobby40

Hi
I have a Dell latitude D610 running Windows XP svc pk 3...recently everytime without exception when I boot my computer the black screen appears with the error message ...'apologies for the inconvenience but due to an unexpected error power failure etc etc windows did not load properly' and then gives me the standard options to log on. I have tried a million and one things to resolve this but have failed. Everything else on my computer runs perfectly OK, I have tried my Windows XP CD and even reloaded the system..nothing works.
I suppose I could live with the error message, except for the fact it bugs the hell out of me.....ANY suggestions please, many thanks

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Brief expert summary and next steps tied to the replies above.

This repeating boot-menu is XP’s Advanced Boot Options appearing because Windows thinks the last shutdown/startup was not clean. ’s suggestion to check the disk was the right early move; since chkdsk returned OK and / confirm you shut down normally (but it sometimes hangs), the system is likely recording an “unclean” shutdown or encountering an error during shutdown/startup. Check the System event log for unexpected-shutdown entries (Event ID 6008 / 41) to confirm. Microsoft: Advanced troubleshooting for Event ID 41. (learn.microsoft.com)

Gather diagnostics in this order.

  1. Use F8 to get the full Advanced Boot Options (tap F8 repeatedly) and choose “Disable automatic restart on system failure” so any BSOD will stay on-screen and show the STOP code and driver/file name. That STOP code is the most useful clue. If you can boot to the desktop, check Event Viewer -> System around the shutdown time for more clues. XP Advanced Boot Options guidance. (learn.microsoft.com)

Repair attempts if you cannot get useful errors.

Boot the XP CD, press R for the Recovery Console and run CHKDSK from there (use the Recovery Console variant such as chkdsk /p or chkdsk /r to fix disk/NTFS problems). Only use fixboot / fixmbr if boot-sector errors are indicated. Note: many XP Recovery Consoles will not see the drive if BIOS SATA is set to AHCI/RAID — switch SATA mode to IDE temporarily if RC can’t find the installation. How to enter Recovery Console, CHKDSK reference. (lifewire.com)

Hardware and shutdown-hang checks.

Run vendor HDD diagnostics / SMART checks (for example SeaTools) to rule out failing media; bad sectors or SMART failures will cause intermittent hangs and boot flags. If shutdown hangs, perform a clean-boot (msconfig) to isolate a service/startup item that prevents a clean shutdown. Back up data before any low-level repair. If a BIOS password prevents CD boot, contact Dell support — don’t try risky hardware-level “resets” without guidance. SeaTools diagnostics, Microsoft: clean-boot procedure. (seagate.com)

If the F8/Disable-automatic-restart step reveals a STOP code, post that exact code and any filename shown — that will allow targeted fixes rather than trial-and-error.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

So, are you saying that despite the error message windows loads and works fine?

We will need to know EXACTLY what error message you are getting in order to help!

Member Avatar for bobby40

Hi apologies...ok the exact message is
We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows
Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)

Start Windows Normally

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

Seconds until Windows starts: 30"

It makes no difference which of the 5 options is chosen, it always goes back to the same screen when i boot the computer.

Yes..ALL other areas of the computer once logged into Windows are fine and work as normal.

Member Avatar for Rik_

What version of windows and do you have a windows install cd?

Member Avatar for bobby40

windows xp 3 professional.. I have a CD which I got seperate from the computer (legite!)but I dont have the passwords for the bioss part..if that means anything to you

Member Avatar for gerbil

Bobby, when you reloaded the system [re-installed Windows?] did you do a normal/full format of the system partition rather than a quick format? If not, you might try running chkdsk [rclick Local Disk C:, > Properties >Tools > Error Checking/Check now, check both boxes and Start it].

Edited by gerbil because: n/a
Member Avatar for caperjack

what method do you use to shut down windows when you are finished

Member Avatar for khakilang

I think you just turn the power off instead of a proper shutdown. You got to click Start, Shutdown and than Shutdown again and wait for the screen to turn blank.

Member Avatar for bobby40

Hi Gerbil
Thanks for your help..I ran the disc check as suggested and it returned all normal..
I shut down in the normal manner START, Turn Off Computer,Shutdown..I dont just press power shutdown, Never..
I have noticed that recently shutting down hangs a bit and can often take up to a minutue before it closes.

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