When the last thing you see on the screen in Safe mode is mup.sys, lots of folks think the problem is with mup.sys and go to great lengths to try to replace it but that is not the problem at all - mup.sys has already loaded and the problem is what comes
after mup.sys. ok
When XP boots it checks all volumes (hard drives) to see if the "dirty bit" is set on a volume and if the dirty bit is set, XP will automatically run a chkdsk with error correction (chkdsk /r) to try to clear the dirty bit. The dirty bit can get set on
a volume from a power failure, power interruption, aborted restart, ungraceful shutdown, using the power switch, plug pulling, etc. ok
In Safe Mode after mup.sys loads, that is when XP checks the dirty bit on the volume and if a chkdsk needs to run, it is going to run and you will not see anything else on your screen - probably for a long time. The system will appear that it is hung or
stuck on mup.sys (but XP has already gone past that) and the chkdsk is probably running. reboots after 5 min.
You can tell this by observing the HDD access light on your system (if it has one) and/or by listening to the system to hear if the HDD is "working". If the HDD light is flashing/blinking that means that XP is doing something and if the last thing you see
is mup.sys, XP is running the chkdsk with error correction.
Is your HDD light blinking/flashing when the system appears to be hung on mup.sys?
My light burnt out years ago, so don't know. But either way, after about 5 min it reboots the system so I don't know.
In that case, you need to wait it out and it could take a very long time (perhaps hours) depending on the size of your HDD, the amount of data on the HDD and what the chkdsk finds to do and even then it
still might not clear the dirty bit so the next time you reboot, you will appear to be "stuck" again. Timing it- only stuck for 5min they auto reboot.
Another way to see it (for those interested) is to schedule a chkdsk with error correction to run on the next reboot of XP and then boot in Safe Mode. Your system will appear to be hung on mup.sys (but it has already loaded) and that is when the chkdsk
is going to run and you will be "stuck" there for a long time. You mean if I get the system running again, can't do that now right, since I wouldn't know how to schedule anything the way it is.
The trouble is, you can't see the chkdsk running it to know what it is doing or if you need to run the chkdsk again.
You can make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD (no XP media required) and run the chkdsk with error correction from there but it looks like your system has SATA drives and that may make using the Recovery Console an issue since the RC does not include SATA
drivers. Unsure if I have sata HDD box is in the attic can't get to it until Sunday Eve.
You may be able to adjust the BIOS to make it work, but you will not be able to access much on your system from the RC for it is limited. For example, you would not be able to copy of your personal files since the RC only lets you access a few folders and
you won't be seeing any external USB storage devices you might have plugged in.
In the case of using the RC on a SATA system, you will not be running fixboot, fixmbr, chkdsk, or even a "dir" command but you can sure try. Oh, then sounds pointless?
That is why I like Hiren's. It does not have these issues and you can explore your system just like you can from XP and copy your files off to an external USB device if you need to. All I could see after burning the disc & installing to boot from
was a blank desktop & a mouse. No start menu or my computer, just a blurry image of a sky with grass, after 15min I shut it down. I don't think this worked for me. I did see the menu and choose the option mini xp
If you make the Hirens's Boot CD you can run the chkdsk with error correction manually and watch it run and run it again if you need to until it reports no problems (it might need to run more than once). Burnt it to a cd-r & a dvd-r but neither burned disc
works, I used windows 7 native burn image software, and imgburn neither worked just a blank blurred picture of sky & grass no icons no start menu no my computer, a really big mouse that works but nothing to click on.
Work more on F8 and getting to the Disable automatic restart on system failure option to see what the BSOD says (assuming you are getting one) and that might reinforce the need to run the chkdsk with error correction. It will work if you
get it timed just right. I will try this a few more times
If you choose to make the floppies, you will find that you can't Repair a SP3 system using SP2 media, but you can sure try and then you will see a message like this:
Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.
What if I take an xp home with sp2 and slipstream sp3 onto it, is that possible? If so, would I loose my data & software by doing this?
I have never repaired a system in my life to fix any XP problem and I have never even suggested it (and never will). To me it is a very desperate move and the next to the last thing to "try" to fix a broken system and you have many other better options
that do not involve the word try.
I doubt a Repair is going to fix the dirty bit on a volume anyway (if it is set), but that is another thing you can try.
I am not a tryer. So if I'm unable to get out of reboot mode that happens after the hang of 5min in safe mode, and unable to use F8, and unable to use the Hirens disc in mini xp do I have any other options without "trying" something that you don't recommend
from above? ie a different hirens option or? Neither burned disc works, I used windows 7 native burn image software, and imgburn neither worked just a blank blurred picture of sky & grass no icons no start menu no mycomputer, a really big mouse that works
but nothing to click on. what about this? Also here on the link I started reading the comments, third one down, regarding
using a camera, I could try this if you think it might give any better info?
Also, I did get 1 other reply to my request for help from this forum, and this was the response, here is a copy what do you think, this is who replied,
Andrew
XP cd with SP3,isnt what you need,just a xp installation cd v2002 would
help,otherwise,reinstalling xp or "repairing" the current OS is out because
of IE updates & WMP 11,plus other updates youd have to remove 1st.
Either way,with a installation cd (any version),start pc & enter BIOS,install
cd,set to boot to cd (1st boot priority)hd 2nd,exit & save,press any key
to boot to cd,if SATA or RAID are installed,press F6 option,use floppy
for drivers (follow screen),at cd menu,press r key for recovery console,
select 1 for C: press enter for password.Type: FixBoot Agree,type:
CHKDSK C: /R Once its thru,chk data,look for bad sectors,or type:
EXIT Let xp start auto.
Also,in recovery,software can be stopped,"Disable" Listsvc gets you the
running software.Read KB 307654 or 307545
All this can/could solve the problem,unless a hardware failure exist...
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