Computer won't start, please help!

[ryguy23]

I have a home built computer that uses Windows XP professional and have begun to have some problems starting up. Basically, after I shut down my computer and get it going again no matter what i choose, "Start windows normally", "Last known good configuration", "Debugging Mode", etc, the screen is black when it starts up again. When I go into Safe Mode or Safe Mode w/ Command prompt, it gives me this list and won't let me get past it:

Multi (0)disk rdisk (0) partition(2)\windows\system32\Drivers\ (this part precedes the following):

ACPI.SYS
WMILIB.SYS
Pci.sys
Isapnp.sys
Viaide.sys
PCIIDEX..SYS
Mountmgr.sys
Ftdisk.sys
Dmload.sys
Dmio.sys
Partmgr.sys
Volsnap.sys
Atapi.sys
Viasraid.sys
SCSIPORT.SYS
Disk.sys
CLASSPNP.SYS
Fltmgr.sys
Sr.sys
KSecDD.sys
Ntfs.sys
NDIS.sys
Viaagpl.sys
Mup.sys

I'm wondering if there's a way to resolve this without reformatting my computer and losing everything. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Harvey]

It sounds like your system is corrupted for whatever reason. I've seen it before, and unless someone has any ideas about how to recover it, you're in for re-installing Windows. However, there is SOME hope of saving your files and settings if you have another hard drive you can use (or even borrow for awhile).

If you can start your new build on another drive, once you've done your base installation, you can stop before getting any updates to anything and plug in your current drive on another IDE channel and copy your info to your new build. Your old drive will now show as drive D: or E:.

To get your address book, in Windows Explorer, click Tools - Folder Options - View, and set it to Show hidden files and folders. Then, click D:\Documents and Settings\(your name)\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book. The file in that folder is your address book. You can copy it to the same folder on drive C:

Finding your old e-mails is a bit more tedious. I've done it, before, but since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express, I can't chase it down on my own machine. If you use Netscape or Mozilla, it's a lot easier to find your files, including your browser settings and old e-mails.

The rest of your files will be where you expect them on Drive D: so it's just a matter of cutting and pasting them to your new installation.

 

[Xtremist]

I've had this before with the exact same file and a simple repair did the trick as it copies most dll and other system files. You might give that a try. It could also indicate a failing hard drive if that part of the disk has become corrupt for some reason.

If you have another computer available and some sort of network, I'd suggest a (what I consider) easier way to retrieve your existing files/settings if you do have to do a format/install. I'd go download BartPE ( http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ ) and create a boot cd. Just boot up in there and you can map a network drive, then copy any file/folders you need fairly easily. I guess that might not be easier if you don't already have a BartPE CD. Of course, I think anyone should have a BartPE disk so it could be worth the time there to just do it. At any rate, good luck!