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
    2014-07-25T04:45:28+00:00

    I only get a blue screen with a mouse no boot menu, just read this

    below, see #3

    1. Press <Enter> to start the Windows Setup.

    Note - DO NOT press <R> to choose the option To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R 2. Accept the License Agreement. Windows will then search for existing Windows installations. 3. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list (there may only be one) and press <R> to start the repair.

    If Repair is not one of the options, you should press <F3> to Quit. This usually means that the version of Windows on the CD does not match the one already installed. If you do proceed to install a fresh copy of Windows rather than repairing an existing one, you will lose access to all the applications you previously had installed (although your own files should be preserved). You will also need to supply the correct Windows licence key for the CD.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-25T02:00:46+00:00

    My instructions for slipstreaming service pack 3, say this here under 1st steps  "Unfortunately, for this step you can not use an OEM CD provided by your computer manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc)."

    So I have decided to use the site with the instructions for slipstreaming sp2 and then add sp3, at least that's the idea for now. But in going to that site, I see this  first you have to use the command line to integrate xp with sp2.

    Can this cause issues for the windows 7 laptop, I'm borrowing?

    Or do you think it is ok to try the instructions using the command line on this windows 7 laptop, before trying to find a way to use nLite?

    1. "A word of warning before you begin: strongly recommends that you start with a fresh XP installation source with no previous update packs integrated into it."  and I already have sp1 on my disk, will this cause issues?

    2. "This Service Pack cannot be integrated into a destination that also has integrated Software Updates."

    such as OEM softaware. Not to worry, there are ways and means. A program called nLite will do the trick (although it needs the .NET framework). But there are no instructions for using nLite So, this means I will now have to find a site that shows how to actually use nLite with OEM software, since I have no clue what that process is.

    *** I have now tried using nLite to slipstream the cd and when I do either choosing the OEM disk from the cd rom or from a file on the desktop I get this pop up

    then instead of choosing the whole xp folder I created and put the files from the disk in, I navigate farther into the folder to the i386 subfolder and choose it, and I get the same pop up message.

    From a different site than the one above...

    I have read 1-3 below in regards to doing a repair, by the way when I instal my OEM cd after I see a progress bar loading what it says, IS the repair console, when the bar finishes I just get a blue screen with a mouse and no further instructions. Is this where I am supposed to press the Enter key, from instructions below?  #3 super important and why I am trying to add the service packs!!

    1. Press <Enter> to start the Windows Setup.

    Note - DO NOT press <R> to choose the option To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R 2. Accept the License Agreement. Windows will then search for existing Windows installations. 3. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list (there may only be one) and press <R> to start the repair.

    If Repair is not one of the options, you should press <F3> to Quit. This usually means that the version of Windows on the CD does not match the one already installed. If you do proceed to install a fresh copy of Windows rather than repairing an existing one, you will lose access to all the applications you previously had installed (although your own files should be preserved). You will also need to supply the correct Windows licence key for the CD.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-24T13:15:07+00:00

    What you want to try is to boot from the recovery DVD

    When asked to select a device > Select the DVD RW option

    Save Changes

    Put the recovery disc in the drive and reboot

    This should boot you into a recovery screen where you can repair your computer

    http://www.ehow.com/how_6179113_restore-original-xp-boot-screen.html

    How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install - The Repair Install process is very similar to the Refresh Your PC process in Windows 8 in that it overwrites all of the important files in Windows XP in an attempt to fix whatever might ail your computer.  The Repair Install process in Windows XP is not designed to remove any files yet, you may have to reinstall some applications.

    http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm

    Slipstreaming - You only need to slipstream SP3 since you say you already have SP1 on the disc.  SP3 requires SP1 OR SP2

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-24T09:04:31+00:00

    When I press the esc key I see a very small blue window, much smaller than the size of the screen. It says please select a boot device:?

    Removable Dev.

    Pm-WDC WD5000BEVT-22AORTO

    3M-SONY DVD RW DW-D56A

    Network

    Then shows arrows to move selection

    Enter to select boot device

    pause break gives a solid black screen.

    I have no devices except wireless keyboard & mouse.  My cd rom is bootable

    F8 is not working

    The instructions and link in #4 for making the disk are no good I'm using a borrowed computer that I can't run xp home on it is windows 7  same for your #5 it requires the download to be run, if I understand correctly, there is no way to extract the iso unless it is first run, I read the site from the link and I think it might be more advanced than me, and I'm unsure as to whether I should use it, even if able because I don't know what my error on the bsod is, due to not being able to to access f8?

    Can't disable the auto restart

    I have copied the contents of my OEM disk to the desktop of the windows 7 laptop. I can see from the list of files that sp1 is on the disk.  I think my best bet is to slipstream it with sp2 & sp3for safe measure, since the xp home laptop has sp3 installed on it? Are these good directions to follow? because they say sp2 and hotfixes that came after sp2, but I think before sp3. They also say this

    "When you try slipstreaming using OEM disks from some big companies, you might run into the following error: "This Service Pack cannot be integrated into a destination that also has integrated Software Updates."

    Not to worry, there are ways and means. A program called nLite will do the trick (although it needs the .NET framework)."  

    ****If so what about where they state to get the full network installation version, is that the 1 I want to use? 

    What I'm unsure of is,

    **** 1. The directions for slipstreaming service pack 3, say this "If you are using an OEM Windows XP CD you will receive the following error.(they show an image here of the command line) This error means that you cannot use this type of CD to create a slipstreamed installation and will not be able to continue with this tutorial. " ****

    1A . Then I should just use the same guide for sp2 and try combining with sp3 all at once and not follow the directions in #1?

    2. Should I be leaving everything from the original OEM disk in the folder before I start the slipstream, which I don't even know can be done, because of number 1 above, unless the nLite works?

    If I'm able to make the disk, after I put it in the cd rom,what steps do I take in order to insure I don't end up going back to factory instal and to just find my bsod error, will I be able to get to the bsod to read the error, and if so, what will I need to do after that, to fix it, and be able to keep all my data? Will I be able to use last known good config? Or will I be able to to use a previous system restore point?

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T17:42:28+00:00
    1. Try pressing Pause/Break key or ESC to read the BSOD error

    2)  Disable Auto-Start during Boot

    Turn off the computer and wait 5 seconds.

    Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the f8 key to enter the Windows Advanced Options Menu.

    Use the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys to select Disable automatic restart on system failure and then press the enter key.

    Press the enter key again to restart Windows.

    1. Unplug peripheral devices (ex. printer microphone...)  Try entering Bios to changes settings to boot from CD - When finished, put your installation rom in DVD and Start the computer - this may boot you back into Windows.

    http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/getting_started/bios_ultimate.htm

    1. How to Make a Recovery Disc for Windows XP Home Edition - includes instructions on slipstreaming SP3 but you need SP1 or SP2 in order to do it.  Yes you may use your Sony OEM disk to create this.

    http://www.ehow.com/how_6724589_make-windows-xp-home-edition.html

    1. Restoring a PC using the Windows Home Server (WHS) Home CD
    • This is the download I listed in my first post to your thread

    http://www.allaboutbalance.com/restoring-a-pc-using-the-windows-home-server-whs-restore-cd/

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