Can Not Boot After Installing Latest Ms Updates

[george]

I just downloaded and installed the latest microsoftupdate patches and rebooted as promted. Now I can not start XP Pro, the computer auto reboot after showing the XP logo.

I have tried all kind of safe modes, but the computer just want to restart itself. I want to run system recovery from yesterdays latest good setting, but can not even boot up....

Time to reinstall windows or do you guys have any smart solution?

(I am writing this from my second machine - also updated but without problems)

###### Windows!

[astral]

Thanks George.

I am just installing the latest fixes for Windows 2000, and you have got me quite worried!!

[Thomas_Merton]

I just downloaded and installed the latest microsoftupdate patches and rebooted as promted. Now I can not start XP Pro, the computer auto reboot after showing the XP logo.

I have tried all kind of safe modes, but the computer just want to restart itself. I want to run system recovery from yesterdays latest good setting, but can not even boot up....

Time to reinstall windows or do you guys have any smart solution?

(I am writing this from my second machine - also updated but without problems)

###### Windows!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Put your original windows MS Windows XP installation CD in your cd-drive and boot up (I am assuming you do have one!!) - write again if you don't know how to boot from your cd drive.

Follow the menus until you are offered a chance to repair a previous installation.

Should work.

When you have installed SP2 set it up to to automatically download any updates. Then these updates will be gradually installed on your machine, when and if, you need them.

Things can get a bit messy, if you try to update everything at one time.

If your copy of Windows XP fell off a lorry not far from Printip shopping centre, then there is a good chance Microsoft have sussed this and you are suffering the resulting consequences.

Then you are going to have to buy a ligit XP and reinstall.

Hope this is not the case

Edited April 16, 2005 by Thomas_Merton

[Para]

George welcome to my world!

Had exactly the same problem after an update tried everything I could to get the system up without any luck.

I ended up having to ebuild my laptop.

Good luck!

[RDN]

...you are suffering the resulting consequences....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

George welcome to my world!...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My lap top had been updated automatically over the last several days and finally finished all the updates yesterday. Fortunately, it all went without any hitches

But I think NOW might be a good time time do another image backup of my C: drive !

[waldwolf]

george - Any reinstallation may result in loss of data, depending on the origin of your OS disk. An OEM supplied disk may reformat your hard drive prior to installation. (As Thomas_Mertin suggested, if you do not already have one, try to get your hands on a "legal" Upgrade or Full version of XP Pro, preferably the latest with SP2 already incorporated.)

Would also suggest you review the following articles, before beginning any repair/reinstallation:

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install

You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

good luck

[waldwolf]

.....further to above, also check this info link:

Recovery Console overview

cheers

[PS - Congratulations george, on your 7,000th. post.]

Edited April 16, 2005 by waldwolf

[IMA_FARANG]

I just downloaded and installed the latest microsoftupdate patches and rebooted as promted. Now I can not start XP Pro, the computer auto reboot after showing the XP logo.

I have tried all kind of safe modes, but the computer just want to restart itself. I want to run system recovery from yesterdays latest good setting, but can not even boot up....

Time to reinstall windows or do you guys have any smart solution?

(I am writing this from my second machine - also updated but without problems)

###### Windows!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was once told that Windows XP stands for eXpect Problems.

When rebooting try to get into your setup. Different bios systems have different ways to get in. Mine is CNTL F8 key. Once your in make sure the Date, Time, & anything else you can check are correct (including amount of memory installed). I once had to re-install XP and somehow lost the date/time & some other parameters in bios during the install. Date went back to Jan 1 1990. (this was in 1998). When I tried to reboot after XP reinstall, it went up to point where XP screen comes on, then halted there. Eventually had to redo setup in bios.

Not sure if that is your problem, but it worked for me. At least worth a try.

[sbk]

Well, I guess I should I have read this thread before downloading and installing the latest "security" updates because now I have the same problem as george. Lucky for me i have more than one computer. Am thinking of formatting and using Win 2k as my old computer just barely has enough ram for xp, in other words, it works but veeeerrrryyy slowly.

Any suggestions?

[lopburi3]

I downloaded and installed on two computers last week with no problem but had SP2 installed and all updates if that might be an issue.

Wonder if you can boot to safe mode and then recover to a previous good configuration?

[sbk]

Will not boot from safe mode, or rather it continuously reboots. Same goes for last known configuration. I am not a computer whiz but neither am I a complete idiot either, those were the first things I tried!!!

I don't really mind formatting and reinstalling on this machine as it has no data on it, but now I know I can't update my other computer either. GRRR!

Forgot to add, it is SP2 with all recent updates on it.

Edited April 17, 2005 by sbk

[george]

Thanks for all help. I had a full network backup taken a week ago, so I will just format the whole thing and do a fresh install. Well.

Will install Linux as main OS though. Tired of Microsoft now!

[Abandon]

I always recommend W2K instead of XP - I have not yet found anything that XP does that W2K cannot. It is a bit light on drivers, so you will have to put in drivers yourself. But it seems so much more stable than XP.

I also turn off the auto update function (control panel/admin/services) meaning that much of my system is still at very old software. I have not had a problem with this - simple precautions such as not visiting porn web sites, not opening email attachments etc... have been effective for me to not worry about security patches.

One poster recommended fettling the BIOS but I would not recommend this unless you be VERY careful to write down all changes. You can really screw up your computer doing this. And often the problems you create do not become apparent immediately. They also will not go away with a fresh install.

[Thomas_Merton]

Thanks for all help. I had a full network backup taken a week ago, so I will just format the whole thing and do a fresh install. Well.

Will install Linux as main OS though. Tired of Microsoft now!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let us know how it goes.

Especially if you find a version of Linux that will automatically recognise my Belkin wireless network card, because this problem is driving me as mad as you are with Windows XP.

[britmaveric]

Updates installed without any problems on my xp laptop.

[slimdog]

From what I can gather the problem seems to be a fault with:  

Hotfix number 890859

One possible fix is found at:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/spuninst.htm

One note from Microsoft regarding this hotfix is:

Known issues

• The Add or Remove Programs tool in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) lists software updates under the name of the product that a particular update applies to. In Windows XP SP2, the Add or Remove Programs tool lists the update that is described in this article under Windows XP – Software Updates. However, in Windows XP SP2, the Add or Remove Programs tool does not display an “Installed On” date for this update. Therefore, this update is not displayed in the Windows XP – Software Updates list according to the order of its installation. Instead, this update is displayed at the top of the Windows XP – Software Updates list.

Note Add or Remove Programs is a Control Panel item.

[lopburi3]

From what I can gather the problem seems to be a fault with: 

Hotfix number 890859

One possible fix is found at:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/spuninst.htm

One note from Microsoft regarding this hotfix is:

Known issues

• The Add or Remove Programs tool in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) lists software updates under the name of the product that a particular update applies to. In Windows XP SP2, the Add or Remove Programs tool lists the update that is described in this article under Windows XP – Software Updates. However, in Windows XP SP2, the Add or Remove Programs tool does not display an “Installed On” date for this update. Therefore, this update is not displayed in the Windows XP – Software Updates list according to the order of its installation. Instead, this update is displayed at the top of the Windows XP – Software Updates list.

Note Add or Remove Programs is a Control Panel item.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That link is worth a hard copy for the future. Thanks much.

[sbk]

Just as a side note, I searched the (Windows annoyances forum and found this thread:

computer won't start, keeps rebooting.

Obviously I am on my laptop at this time....

I downloaded and installed the latest 2 critical updates yesterday. Selected reboot

now, and all it would do is post, show the WinXP splash screen and reboot, repeat,

repeat, repeat.

Entered in Safe Mode and all selections would produce the same results, rebooting

and not getting fully loaded, rebooting again etc.

I have reasons and issues about enabling the "system restore" feature so it was not

of any use.

My pc has been incredibly stable for a long time and I attribute this error directly

to the download of the critical updates.

After going through all my XP Pro books from college courses and trying many different

approaches I reluctently took in to a very good local shop and have heard no word

as yet.

Has this happened to others? Any suggestions if the shop is unable to resolve?

Thanks, Gary

Which is exactly what happened to me and George. His, however, happened last year. A few useless smug threads from people assuming the guy doesn't have antivirus and then at the end his response :

Thanks to you all !!! Problem solved. I am suprised that there are still replies to this post after a year, you folks are great! I did not discover what the error was on my own, I took it into Intek N.W. and they got it up and running. Turns out the update messed up my video display and when it was in the POST sequence it would hit that snag, updated drivers installed, problem solved. So thanks again to all, see ya next time I cruise through here!!! Gary

.

I currently have my computer with my computer guru, he says it does sound like a driver issue. Trouble is, I am not good enough to fix this if I can't even get the computer started! So, my wonderful friend the computer guy will fix it.

Microsoft, you gotta love em, right?

[Abandon]

Well yes sbk - I also was wondering how you can change a driver on a system that will not boot even into safe mode.

The problem - to my inexpert eye, is in the boot setup. Easiest way to bypass this is to put in the installation and select the option that will try to detect and repair any windows installations. This option will only change the boot info, and is not the same as a full repair which will reinstall windows keeping your old programs and settings (that option comes later in the set up process).

Anyway - hopefully George has linux up and running -

George - which linux version did you use and how easy was it to install and get set up properly?

[RDN]

...I also turn off the auto update function ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just switched mine back to "notify when updates available". I don't mind waiting a week or two before installing any updates .

[george]

I can now confirm that Hotfix # 890859 is the problem. It screws up some XP installations.

Wonder how many 1,000's of users affected?

[george]

Well yes sbk - I also was wondering how you can change a driver on a system that will not boot even into safe mode.

The problem - to my inexpert eye, is in the boot setup. Easiest way to bypass this is to put in the installation and select the option that will try to detect and repair any windows installations. This option will only change the boot info, and is not the same as a full repair which will reinstall windows keeping your old programs and settings (that option comes later in the set up process).

Anyway - hopefully George has linux up and running -

George - which linux version did you use and how easy was it to install and get set up properly?

Repair doesn't work. The only way is to uninstall the hotfiux via the recovery panel after CD boot. I have been screaming to the Microsoft support team via Skype, hehe... And a gave them shit. They hate me now.

So I go for Linux. I have ordered Mandrake from http://www.cheapiso.com

(Mandrake's new name is Mandriva).

1 x Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005 (i586) = US$8.95

1 x MandrakeMove = US$2.95

Hope the CD's will arrive in the mail this week. Will go for it in a dual boot system.

I guess this is a serious problem for many thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of users, who cares about "security" and install the hotfixes direct when they arrive. Shame on you, Microsoft.

Would you like me to setup a subforum "Migrating to Linux", Thaivisa Linux Support Forum...

[waldwolf]

.....I have been screaming to the Microsoft support team via Skype, hehe... And a gave them shit. They hate me now......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep......looks like you sure got their attention geoge:

Microsoft Launches New Ad Campaign for Windows XP

Mon Apr 18, 2005 02:04 PM ET

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. launched a 15-month advertising campaign on Monday to boost sales of Windows XP operating system, while the world's largest software maker prepares its next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft declined to say how much it would spend on the global television, print and online marketing effort, or how the duration of the campaign might reflect the delivery schedule of Longhorn.

Scott Lennard, director of advertising for Microsoft's consumer marketing group, said that Microsoft wanted people to "rediscover" Windows XP, currently its flagship operating system, which runs on more than nine out of 10 personal computers.

The massive ad campaign comes three years after the debut of Windows XP and is focused around more than a dozen different themes, including music, science, art and sports. In the main print ads, a window is displayed over a person's heart, with various images connected to the themes flowing out of the window.

Microsoft's renewed advertising effort also comes as Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) prepares to ship the latest operating system for its Macintosh PC later this month. Apple's software, which it calls "Mac OS X Tiger," is being described by the Cupertino, California-based company as a feature-rich operating system that already delivers many of the features promised by Longhorn.

Microsoft is expected to talk about Longhorn in greater detail next week at its annual hardware and engineering conference in Seattle. Microsoft is planning to release a preliminary test, or beta, version of Longhorn this summer.

.....Would you like me to setup a subforum "Migrating to Linux", Thaivisa Linux Support Forum......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, please.

cheers