Member Avatar for shmay

I know there have been many threads on this. I looked them up, but most were too specific to help.

I'll reprint the message just in case:

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 starup 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 setting that worked)

Start Windows Normally

I have tried them all, to no avail. Just before this happened a message box kept coming up, telling me that windows needed to update some software and restart. I kept clicking restart later until I left and came back to find it in its current state. So obviously the updated software is causing the problem.

Help?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by govind433

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Short practical triage (before a full repair). An interrupted update is a common cause here — updates that touch storage or boot drivers can leave Windows unable to find its boot device. Try these in order: disconnect all USB/peripherals, press F8 and test Enable Boot Logging, Enable VGA Mode and the Safe Mode options, then check the boot log at C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt for drivers that failed to load. (support.microsoft.com)

If a specific driver shows as failing, you can prevent it from loading (temporary test) by renaming it from the Recovery Console or Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Example Recovery Console commands: 

chkdsk /r
ren C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\baddriver.sys baddriver.sys.bak
exit

Recovery Console is an advanced tool (it won’t do an in-place repair but it’s useful for chkdsk, renaming/removing drivers, and copying registry hives). (learn.microsoft.com)

If the disk or registry is corrupted, run chkdsk /r (from RC or schedule at next boot) and consider the Microsoft registry-recovery steps — they exist but are risky, so treat them as a last-resort targeted fix. If those don’t work, an in-place Repair using Windows XP Setup will restore core OS files (you’ll need a matching XP/SP media and will have to reinstall updates afterward). (ftp.zx.net.nz)

A short action plan: 1) copy user data off the drive first (Safe Mode, or remove the drive and attach to another PC, or boot a rescue USB); 2) enable boot logging and inspect ntbtlog.txt to identify a bad driver; 3) run chkdsk /r from Recovery Console; 4) if necessary, do a Repair (Setup) or, if you must, a full reinstall. If you’re unsure about any step, back up the drive first — factory restores or full reinstalls will erase personal files. (flylib.com)

As suggested, a Repair via proper XP Setup media often fixes this class of problem, but the targeted steps above can avoid a full reinstall if the issue is a single bad driver or a simple disk/registry glitch. (support.microsoft.com)

References (quick links):

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for gerbil

If you have a windows install cd, set your BIOS to boot first from cd and then do a Repair.

Member Avatar for shmay

I have the windows install cd from my main computer, but the problem is occuring on my laptop. Will it still work?

Member Avatar for gerbil

You can use an OEM or M$ XP install disk to do the repair job, but NOT an OEM Restore disk. The install disk should be the same version.. eg. SP2. Unfortunately you have to download all the windows updates again. By the way, don't go into the Repair an XP installation with Recovery Console option, you need to enter Setup. Your OS should be detected and you would then be given the option to Repair it. If you don't get the Repair option at this stage then a new installation is next, but this means you must reinstall all your 3rd party software again.

Member Avatar for gerbil

Btw, it does not have to be your disk, just the right disk as above.

Member Avatar for shmay

Excellent, thank you.

One more question: how the hell does something like this come to happen?

Member Avatar for gerbil

it's windows. dunno, luck of the draw... often an OS can get interrupted by some glitch while it's doing a vital task.... I personally do not like online updating of software - i prefer to download the files and install manually if it is an option.... Was that a windows security update restart that killed your sys?
Come back with how you get on...

Member Avatar for govind433

a recent hardware or software change might have caused this

Member Avatar for govind433

a recent hardware or software change might have caused this

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