Windows XP Home SP3 Cant boot into safe mode from a crash Sony laptop VGN-A790

Anonymous
2014-07-19T12:58:49+00:00

I get to the window that shows safe mode safe mode with networking, and last good configuration none of which works. If I choose safe mode, I get a black screen with a long list, such as multi(0) disk(0)  rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\compbatt.sys and about 50 others.

I am not sure if this happened because I updated java plug in later reading with xp it should be uninstalled, since there is no longer support for xp. The only recovery disc I have is for xp pro sp 2, but I need to get one that is xp home with sp3. XP home came installed on the laptop at purchase, and has since been updated to sp3. Is there a way to create a bootable disc using sp3 from a computer using windows 7, I have borrowed from a friend for 48 hours.

The only other disc I have is the one that sets it back to factory settings supplied by Sony, but can't do that, since I will loose files. The disc wont do it anyway since I have ie7 or 8 and SP3 is installed.  I have tried F8 multiple times with no luck, however I am using a wireless keyboard, although the arrow keys work to choose safe mode, after that,  I can't get past the long list (example above), and leaving it idle at the screen with the list sends it back into a recycle of reboot. Choosing anything else in the list does nothing including last good config. I have no known way of seeing a blue screen.

I have no backup of files and can't loose 10 years of work, etc. I had  a similar issue once before when my hard drive died about 3 years ago, but since have replaced the hard drive, and files were transferred using Ubuntu. I could download ubuntu to a USB drive that is bootable and try that I just don't recall from the last time if I left that option available in the bios for future issues in case I needed it but I think I did, if there is a way that I can fix it using Ubuntu? I won't be replacing this computer until November, so I need to get it back working again, any help or suggestions will be much appreciated as I was in the middle of a job.

Kindly,

Stacey

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T12:43:32+00:00

    I can't get to the bsod to read the error due to a reboot loop. Laptop has a wireless keyboard due to a torn wire on the original keyboard. Cant tell if the f lock key is engaged but tried pushing it down and still no F8. Tried over 25 times. My xp home cd is OEM SP1, My laptop has been updated to SP3, the OEM disc shows nothing when put into the drive. The cd drive, has been set to boot, long ago. No xp home cd that can be slip streamed with SP3 unless I buy one. Tried Hirens, only get an image of a sky and grass, no icons, no start menu on desktop, waited 15min, but nothing, so shut down.

    What I get when I boot up is a black screen with a list of choices safe mode, sm with networking, last best known. I can only choose safe mode, but I can only get as far as a black screen with a list that ends in mup.sys system hangs for 5min then reboot. Is there anywhere it get an xp home iso, without having to buy another xp home disk?

    Thanks for the help

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T03:26:46+00:00

    I don't want to reinstall to factory. I'm just trying to disable the auto restart so that I can read the error message on the bsod screen, I just can't get there. I tried what you said but I can only use an external wireless keyboard, the internal wire on the laptop's keyboard was destroyed, and F10 doesn't work, I don't know when the f lock is engaged as there is no light letting me know, but I have tried it both ways, again after pushing f lock down. So just like with f8 I cant get passed the black screen were you choose safe mode, safe mode with networking last best known etc, etc. Which of coarse none of the choices work, so all i can think of to do is use a bootable to get to the bsod to read the error.  For the OEM cd I would do what, copy it to the windows 7 laptop then use the copied files along with sp2 and sp3 and make a bootable that way? Putting the oem disc in the xp home laptop gave me a blank screen, guessing because it's no longer compatible? You are sureI can use the "original Sony Disc" for slip streaming? Everything I've read says no.

    I think you completely misunderstood what I meant when I said I need a cd, I'm not referring to a blank one that I can put the iso on, I'm referring to a bootable windows xp home cd with the iso already on it.  I have both blank cd's and dvd's. I need an ISO image to put on the dvd, not the actual dvd itself... I have read that the OEM cd will not work, when you say above download the file, what file are you referring to, the iso file? I can't find a windows xp home iso to download, that is my issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T03:05:06+00:00

    If you purchase a rom, purchase a DVD rom not CD.  They hold more data.

    As for the Recovery rom you have (oem) you can slipstream SP3 to that rom.  See the links I included above.

    Edit:  Try this:

    Press [F10] a few times at POST (the beep you hear when system starts) and a screen that states "Edit boot options" will appear ( if your error appears again the partition is gone and  the below instructions will not help)

    press enter and it will load the recovery tools.

    Once in the tools you can  run Hardware Diagnostics , including  a hard drive test!  as well as using  "Rescue Data" to try and recover your information, providing  it was not erased with a reinstall attempt.   If you are able to recover your data, choose C drive recovery and it will restore your notebook to factory software conditions.  ( please note all personal data will be erased)

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T02:37:48+00:00

    I have several softwares including imgburn ready & waiting, I have tried everything, F8 20+ times doesn't work, and I have burned & tried Hirens bootable doesn't work, don't know if you saw my link in the response that shows everything I've done and all about my computer model etc. It's a sony vgn-a790 laptop, can't use oem recovery I have SP3 installed, and it is SP1. Only other thing I have is a non-oem xp Pro, not home.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T02:27:00+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you so much for the help. I think I am unable to click run because I am using a borrowed computer for a few days running windows 7 and can't install anything that could change that. Do I have any other options for creating an xp home cd without buying a new disk? You can see me original post here   thanks again for the help!

    You can purchase 1 CD at Staples and I believe Walmart

    Download the file and select Save As from the menu

    Save it to a folder or to the desktop

    Does your friend (owner of borrowed computer) have software to burn CD's?  I recommend using ImgBurn.  It works great.

    http://imgburn.com/

    Ask your friend if it is ok to burn a CD and if you can use ImgBurn. 

    Do you have a Recovery CD?  Have you tried using it to Recover the system?

    Is your computer a Dell system? 

    Try pressing Shift > Restart the system and begin tapping F8.  It may take a couple of tries and may work.

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