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XP Hangs before login screen

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by ccr

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I installed all of the critical updates on my hp ZE4145 laptop and now when I turn it on it comes up to the Windows XP Home logon screen and just stays there. It does this for every type of boot I have tried. Safe Mode; Safe Mode Command Prompt; Safe Networking; last know good etc. I tried to boot off a win 98 CD and it said the c drive was invalid

Any help would be great

2 replies

by wcp

Just to make sure this was not caused by any HW, you should test at least the HD.
You need to find what brand of HD the laptop has, and use the HD diagnostic utility program. If you do not have this, you may download it from the HD manufacturer?s website. If you need more information, please post a comment so I can give you more in detail.

If you have important data, I strongly recommend you to backup those before you try any.

Backing up data might be a little difficult because the computer is a laptop. If you can take out the HD, you may use a laptop HD adaptor to connect to a desktop (with WinXP or 2K) and copy your data.

Options

1. Buy a commercial software (e.g. ERD Commander 2003 from Winternals www.winternals.com) and do System Restore to a date before the critical updates.

2. Reinstall Windows on top of the current one. All your applications and data should be intact. You may have to reinstall the Service Pack and other Windows updates.

by wcp

I read your question again and oops.

If your laptop came with a recovery CD(s), reinstallation of Windows on top of the current one using the CD(s) may not be possible.
Please read the instruction. You may call HP tech support for more information.

If you can hold of a Windows XP Home OEM CD, you can use it to reinstall Windows and provide YOUR product key if asked.

Option 3. Clean install Windows and restore data you backed up.

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