[bigsoccer24]

so, my desktop is not loading, all my screen shows is my wallpaper and my system seems to be running, b/c cnt,alt,delete will show things in my processes. it won't boot in safe mode either.

help?

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Press ctrl + alt + delete to get task manager, click file, new task, type explorer.exe then press enter

[Retired Tech]

Press ctrl + alt + delete to get task manager, click file, new task, type explorer.exe then press enter

[bigsoccer24]

well, tried it. start menu flashed and then went away. tried 2nd time same thing.

[Retired Tech]

Same thing but type sfc /scannow then press enter, if it flashes again

Items in blue which are underlined are clickable to give more information about the process

Start the System Restore Utility at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and keep tapping F8 during the initial start-up until you get options, select Safe Mode with a Command Prompt then press enter.

2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.

3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Look for the most recent system checkpoint created before the errors to restore from

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click 315222 to see a description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP

[bigsoccer24]

hmmm, don't know the admin password, computer was given to me.

[Retired Tech]

Usually blank

[bigsoccer24]

well, the computer's "admin" is not a blank password. i tried it in my user and it gives me the error "system restore has been turned off and cannot be on in safe mode. to turn on system restore, restart in normal mode and then run system restore again."

[Retired Tech]

Do you have an XP CD

[bigsoccer24]

yes

[Retired Tech]

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the power button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[bigsoccer24]

the repair didn't work.... i'm reinstalling windows

[Retired Tech]

The repair didn't run then, it takes 40 minutes minimum

[bigsoccer24]

oh well.. i'm running a reinstall, i didn't really have anything on the computer anyways... i think a clean sheet would work out well.

[Retired Tech]

Check you have access to any software CD's you need, network adapter / video, sound etc