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Windows XP Pro Will Not Boot, Why?

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16 replies

by dinkey

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I have an Acer 5110 Laptop cannot get it to boot. It goes to the windows XP logo with the bar underneath and then just stops. I tried to go to last known good configuration but did the same and all of the other safe mode options all stop after it gets to the mup.sys file. Tried doing a repair but it will only get to the screen that says starting windows, you know right before you press enter to install or r to repair or f3 to quit. It will not go any further. Changed out the memory, same problem. Tried another power supply with and without the battery same problem. Was able to install new HDD with no problems installed services packs and all drivers except for the USB driver and all works well. Once I install USB drivers Laptop will freeze and when I try to restart it will do as previously stated above and not boot. Any suggestions?

16 replies

by peconet tietokoneet

If you only have one or two gigs worth it would be best to update it to 4 gigs. If you have 32 bit Windows then the operating system will only use less than 4 gigs. If you have 64 bit operating system then the whole 4 gigs will be used and your system will be a lot smoother with your installs and updates.

by smartacew0lf

One of the USB ports has been fubared, which usually results in taking all of them out.

by dinkey

The touchpad on the laptop no longer works and I have to have a USB mouse. The USB mouse works fine until the USB drivers are installed then it quits working after several minutes I can navigate around with the keyboard and shutdown properly but then it will no longer boot again. With or without any USB devices attached.

by cg it

shrug, I dunno. if it was me, I'd go find different drives than those.. comp won't boot it's useless...I'd rather have it boot...and if there aren't other drives...I'd still rather have the comp boot...

by who am i really

some "outdated" drivers for USB / chipset etc.
can't be installed after SP installation

if this unit originally shipped with XP (RTM) no SP
or SP1 / 1a etc.

then you have to install the drivers before installing any patches / Service Packs etc.

also if the USB is working without third party / Mfg. "Drivers"
then it's obvious that XP has recognized it and has basic support for the USB chipset and Mfg. drivers might not really be needed

by strayer

Try this:
Go to Device Manager.
Go to the mouse and get into properties.
Uninstall the drivers.
I would do a restart with the USB mouse plugged in. Watch as Windows starts.
You should see a pop up window saying that windows has found a what ever it calls the mouse and it will install the drivers. Don't do anything until windows tells you that your hardware is ready to use.
In BIOS make sure that Legacy USB is enabled.
I hope this does it.

by strayer

Another suggestion would be to do a clean install.
OOPS< forgot there was no boot.

by who am i really

just for your review:

here is the complete text of the OP

[i]I have an Acer 5110 Laptop cannot get it to boot. It goes to the windows XP logo with the bar underneath and then just stops. I tried to go to last known good configuration but did the same and all of the other safe mode options all stop after it gets to the mup.sys file. Tried doing a repair but it will only get to the screen that says starting windows, you know right before you press enter to install or r to repair or f3 to quit. It will not go any further. Changed out the memory, same problem. Tried another power supply with and without the battery same problem. Was able to install new HDD with no problems installed services packs and all drivers except for the USB driver and all works well. Once I install USB drivers Laptop will freeze and when I try to restart it will do as previously stated above and not boot. Any suggestions? [/i]

Summary of things tried:
- Last known good config (failed)
- Repair install (failed)
- Fresh / Clean Install on new HDD (system works until USB drivers installed)

by dinkey

The windows Xp Pro installed only comes with SP1. I've tried installing the USB drivers before doing SP 2&3 and after SP 2&3with same results as mentioned previously. Once they are in the system just doesn't respond and no longer boots.

I was also asked if using SATA or IDE HDD and it is a SATA 160gb HDD.

Thank you for all of your opinions and comments.

by strayer

What a bad time you are having.
I don't know if this helps but I did a clean XP pro install on an olde Acer and I wrote down which USB port I used. I have had troubles with USB before with XP.
I have installed XP with no Service Packs and the USB mouse worked. ALso XP SP1 and XP SP2.
This is always such a difficult thing to figure out.
XP has the USB mouse drivers. Is the mouse okay?
Is the USB port okay?
Please let us know how this comes out.

by dinkey

I reloaded the machine put in all the drivers and service pack except the USB drivers. It recognizes everything that I plug in that is USB so I just left them alone for now. Everything seems to be working good so far. Thanks for all the help.

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