Fresh install XP-SP2 on new hardware and now wont boot.

I've just setup XP+SP2 on a brand new box.
Installed XP
Installed SP2
Graphics drivers
M/board drivers
Reboots between all and then a couple of cold ones for good measure.
All was looking good.
Decided to change the picture/icon for the sole admin user account. Did
that and closed out. Then thought to change the password also so clicked
again on 'Users and accounts' but it wouldn't open and I got an error
message instead - a problem with 'mshta'. I tried a couple times but same
error. I decided to reboot. Now it gets to the Windows logo, briefly,
then goes black and there is a quick flash of a blue screen (so fast I
can't read it) and it starts to boot again. It keeps doing this.
I have a thread a little ways above this one:
'How do I get rid of warning balloon when Win Update turned off.'
Elmo got me sorted on that. I also turned off the firewall. The machine
wasn't going online until I finished setting it up (hours to go).
I didn't want to install SP2 but the motherboard required it for USB2.0
and the onboard audio.
I've tried unplugging everthing except the HDD and tried all the sata
connections, different power leads to the drive, but I'm stumped. As I
said, it was all looking sweet so I dunno what's gone wrong.
The only thing I can think of is to try an install of Win2k+SP3 or 4 (for
the mobo requirements) or a Linux distro!

Any ideas welcome.

Dear Test,

First, that Users and Accounts 'mshta' thing is well known. If you double
click too fast it pops up that error! I could go on - but that's minor
compared to your major problem.....

Sounds like the registry system (file) is corrupt. Read this on another
machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.

Taking periodic system drive images with something like Ghost 2003 as you
build your dream machine can save you from a lot of pain.

Good luck

CreateWindow http://mymessagetaker.com


"test" <test@test.test> wrote in message
news:462ec1aa$0$7405$a82e6bb9@orc.meganetnews.com. ..
> I've just setup XP+SP2 on a brand new box.
> Installed XP
> Installed SP2
> Graphics drivers
> M/board drivers
> Reboots between all and then a couple of cold ones for good measure.
> All was looking good.
> Decided to change the picture/icon for the sole admin user account. Did
> that and closed out. Then thought to change the password also so clicked
> again on 'Users and accounts' but it wouldn't open and I got an error
> message instead - a problem with 'mshta'. I tried a couple times but same
> error. I decided to reboot. Now it gets to the Windows logo, briefly,
> then goes black and there is a quick flash of a blue screen (so fast I
> can't read it) and it starts to boot again. It keeps doing this.
> I have a thread a little ways above this one:
> 'How do I get rid of warning balloon when Win Update turned off.'
> Elmo got me sorted on that. I also turned off the firewall. The machine
> wasn't going online until I finished setting it up (hours to go).
> I didn't want to install SP2 but the motherboard required it for USB2.0
> and the onboard audio.
> I've tried unplugging everthing except the HDD and tried all the sata
> connections, different power leads to the drive, but I'm stumped. As I
> said, it was all looking sweet so I dunno what's gone wrong.
> The only thing I can think of is to try an install of Win2k+SP3 or 4 (for
> the mobo requirements) or a Linux distro!
>
> Any ideas welcome.

"CreateWindow" <createwindow@gmail.com> wrote in
news:qoCdnRl6QpmyVbPbnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@giganews.com :

> Dear Test,
>
> First, that Users and Accounts 'mshta' thing is well known. If you
> double click too fast it pops up that error! I could go on - but
> that's minor compared to your major problem.....
>
> Sounds like the registry system (file) is corrupt. Read this on
> another machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
>
> For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.
>
> Taking periodic system drive images with something like Ghost 2003 as
> you build your dream machine can save you from a lot of pain.
>
> Good luck
>
> CreateWindow http://mymessagetaker.com
>

<snip>
Thanks for the suggestion
chkdsk /r /p worked as well as MS repair procedures usually do.
I can't copy ntuser.dat from \windows\repair to \Docs&setts\[user] either
as it states in your ms link. I tried anyway, 'access denied'.
I guess that must be corrupt as well? Otherwise F

"CreateWindow" <createwindow@gmail.com> wrote in
news:qoCdnRl6QpmyVbPbnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@giganews.com :

> Dear Test,
>
> First, that Users and Accounts 'mshta' thing is well known. If you
> double click too fast it pops up that error! I could go on - but
> that's minor compared to your major problem.....
>
> Sounds like the registry system (file) is corrupt. Read this on
> another machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
>
> For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.
>
> Taking periodic system drive images with something like Ghost 2003 as
> you build your dream machine can save you from a lot of pain.
>
> Good luck
>
> CreateWindow http://mymessagetaker.com
>
<snip>

Thanks for the suggestion but chkdsk /r /p worked as well as MS repair
tools usually do. Appeared busy for 10-15 mins and then said it was
finished. No info, nothing.
So there is no way to repair the registry in XP apart from F8 'last known
good' which didn't work for me. I assume the files in \windows\repair\
are corrupt and that XP makes only 1 backup copy. 'Safe mode' isn't
working. I can't access 'system restore' if I can't start Windows.
Never had an OS fail in the first hour of use before.
I intended making an image with Acronis True Image *when* I'd finished.
I think I'm going to try Win2kSP4 now.
Jeez.

On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:49:15 +0000, test wrote:

> I've just setup XP+SP2 on a brand new box. Installed XP
> Installed SP2
> Graphics drivers
> M/board drivers
> Reboots between all and then a couple of cold ones for good measure. All
> was looking good.
> Decided to change the picture/icon for the sole admin user account. Did
> that and closed out. Then thought to change the password also so clicked
> again on 'Users and accounts' but it wouldn't open and I got an error
> message instead - a problem with 'mshta'. I tried a couple times but
> same error. I decided to reboot. Now it gets to the Windows logo,
> briefly, then goes black and there is a quick flash of a blue screen (so
> fast I can't read it) and it starts to boot again. It keeps doing this.
> I have a thread a little ways above this one: 'How do I get rid of
> warning balloon when Win Update turned off.' Elmo got me sorted on that.
> I also turned off the firewall. The machine wasn't going online until I
> finished setting it up (hours to go). I didn't want to install SP2 but
> the motherboard required it for USB2.0 and the onboard audio.
> I've tried unplugging everthing except the HDD and tried all the sata
> connections, different power leads to the drive, but I'm stumped. As I
> said, it was all looking sweet so I dunno what's gone wrong. The only
> thing I can think of is to try an install of Win2k+SP3 or 4 (for the
> mobo requirements) or a Linux distro!
>
> Any ideas welcome.

The "brand new" part raised my eyebrow...

Having had this happen to me this week, maybe it will help you:

Bought new Toshiba laptop, erased Vista and installed XP and favorite programs.
S.O.B. was squirrelly as hell, often hung, froze, sometimes wouldn't recognize clicks.
Checked Toshiba web and found that neither available BIOS works with XP! They pulled a Steve
Jobs on me by not being backward compatible with software! If I wanted an Apple...
BTW, you don't want Vista right now...

Anyway, read your BIOS notes and use the appropriate latest for XP. (After installing XP, dual-
boot that sucker: install Suse, Ubuntu or Free BSD with KDE 3.5.6 right on top. You'll use XP less
and less.)

And if you want to be anal about installing new systems, like I am, permanently turn off all
services except the Microsoft stuff until you're done. But that first boot will be a longer one as
all of the new stuff write prefs and config files for the first time.

"test" <test@test.test> wrote

> "CreateWindow" <createwindow@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:qoCdnRl6QpmyVbPbnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@giganews.com :
>
>> Dear Test,
>>
>> First, that Users and Accounts 'mshta' thing is well known. If you
>> double click too fast it pops up that error! I could go on - but
>> that's minor compared to your major problem.....
>>
>> Sounds like the registry system (file) is corrupt. Read this on
>> another machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
>>
>> For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.
>>
>> Taking periodic system drive images with something like Ghost 2003 as
>> you build your dream machine can save you from a lot of pain.
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> CreateWindow http://mymessagetaker.com
>>
> <snip>
>
> Thanks for the suggestion but chkdsk /r /p worked as well as MS repair
> tools usually do. Appeared busy for 10-15 mins and then said it was
> finished. No info, nothing.
> So there is no way to repair the registry in XP apart from F8 'last known
> good' which didn't work for me. I assume the files in \windows\repair\
> are corrupt and that XP makes only 1 backup copy. 'Safe mode' isn't
> working. I can't access 'system restore' if I can't start Windows.
> Never had an OS fail in the first hour of use before.
> I intended making an image with Acronis True Image *when* I'd finished.
> I think I'm going to try Win2kSP4 now.

"How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from
Starting"
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545

If you know where the problem lies in the registry you could edit it
remotely
http://www.dougknox.com/
Win XP Tips
Advanced Registry Editing

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

just plain rob <pinball@dca.net> wrote in
newsan.2007.04.25.07.01.04@dca.net:

> On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:49:15 +0000, test wrote:
>
>> I've just setup XP+SP2 on a brand new box. Installed XP
>> Installed SP2
>> Graphics drivers
>> M/board drivers
>> Reboots between all and then a couple of cold ones for good measure.
>> All was looking good.
>> Decided to change the picture/icon for the sole admin user account.
>> Did that and closed out. Then thought to change the password also so
>> clicked again on 'Users and accounts' but it wouldn't open and I got
>> an error message instead - a problem with 'mshta'. I tried a couple
>> times but same error. I decided to reboot. Now it gets to the Windows
>> logo, briefly, then goes black and there is a quick flash of a blue
>> screen (so fast I can't read it) and it starts to boot again. It
>> keeps doing this. I have a thread a little ways above this one: 'How
>> do I get rid of warning balloon when Win Update turned off.' Elmo got
>> me sorted on that. I also turned off the firewall. The machine wasn't
>> going online until I finished setting it up (hours to go). I didn't
>> want to install SP2 but the motherboard required it for USB2.0 and
>> the onboard audio. I've tried unplugging everthing except the HDD and
>> tried all the sata connections, different power leads to the drive,
>> but I'm stumped. As I said, it was all looking sweet so I dunno
>> what's gone wrong. The only thing I can think of is to try an install
>> of Win2k+SP3 or 4 (for the mobo requirements) or a Linux distro!
>>
>> Any ideas welcome.
>
> The "brand new" part raised my eyebrow...
>
> Having had this happen to me this week, maybe it will help you:
>
> Bought new Toshiba laptop, erased Vista and installed XP and favorite
> programs. S.O.B. was squirrelly as hell, often hung, froze, sometimes
> wouldn't recognize clicks. Checked Toshiba web and found that neither
> available BIOS works with XP! They pulled a Steve Jobs on me by not
> being backward compatible with software! If I wanted an Apple... BTW,
> you don't want Vista right now...
>
> Anyway, read your BIOS notes and use the appropriate latest for XP.
> (After installing XP, dual- boot that sucker: install Suse, Ubuntu or
> Free BSD with KDE 3.5.6 right on top. You'll use XP less and less.)
>
> And if you want to be anal about installing new systems, like I am,
> permanently turn off all services except the Microsoft stuff until
> you're done. But that first boot will be a longer one as all of the
> new stuff write prefs and config files for the first time.
>

Part of the reason I bought the mobo (asus m2n) was that it wasn't 'Vista compliant' as
yet (that'll come later, I guess, in a BIOS update). I know I'll never want Vista.
However, it's forcing me to use XPSP2 unless I buy a separate sound card (I'd hope
that'd solve that one) and do without USB2.0.
So you had to re-install Vista? That does suck. It really is a conspiracy denying
choice. Even if you have all the extra resources needed to run it you may well want to
utilise them better by running a less hungry OS.
I was going to install XUbuntu after I got XP set up.

"Rock" <Rock@nospam.net> wrote in
news:#ztHVa6hHHA.5008@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl:

> "test" <test@test.test> wrote
>
>> "CreateWindow" <createwindow@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:qoCdnRl6QpmyVbPbnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@giganews.com :
>>
>>> Dear Test,
>>>
<snip>
Read this on
>>> another machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
>>>
>>> For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.

>> <snip>
>>
>> Thanks for the suggestion but...
<snip>
>> So there is no way to repair the registry in XP
<snip>
>
> "How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP
> from Starting"
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545
>
> If you know where the problem lies in the registry you could edit it
> remotely
> http://www.dougknox.com/
> Win XP Tips
> Advanced Registry Editing
>

Thanks for that info. I'll save that in numerous places as well as print
it.
I wouldn't have thought to look in the windows/temp folder for a full
registry backup.
I use a program, CCleaner which cleans out Temp folders. There's nought
in the windows/temp folder on the Win2k box I'm using now. Unless they're

created as Windows shuts down which would make sense.
I didn't have any of the errors on that page link you provided but I did
actually get the error message again on a static screen:

Stop c000021a {Fatal System Error}
The session manager initialization system process terminated unexpectedly
with a status of 0xc0000017 (0x00000000, 0x0000000) The system has

been shut down.

This appears to be a totally different situation relating to 'pending
file-rename operations' which can't be completed.
Here's the MS fix for NT4. Haven't found the XP one yet:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317189

The fix you linked to wouldn't have helped me as I would just be copying
the same 'doomed to fail' registry.

I gave up on the XP install and then had a bugger of a time stopping it.
I couldn't boot from a floppy even after disabling all devices in the
BIOS (including the HDD) except for the floppy. Everytime I powered up I
got the XP Setup screen with '39 minutes to go' prompting me for the CD
which I even fed it a couple of times and waited till it eventually
failed.
I got around it by installing Win2k, deleting and reformatting C: (20GB
FAT32 partition) in the process. I thought I'd be OK now but I had major

problems again and now that won't boot either. I'm beginning to think my
problems are hardware related. They're all new and unused (except for
what's happened :-( )
(ASUS M2N, AMD 3800 dual, Seagate 160GB sata, 2x512 DDR2 Corsair value,
Gigabyte 7600GS)<- I'm thinking Mobo first but it'll be trial and

error process. First I'll try a setup on a spare IDE HDD as the board has
1xIDE connection. If that fails, it's the mobo or the mem.
(Tinfoil theory?):
Unless XP leaves some hidden protected stuff on the HDD in that case I'll
have to zero the whole 160GB drive with Autoclave or DBan. Is that

possible? That XP leaves hidden code on the HDD that escapes formatting
and could still be interfering with operations?
I've never had issues like this. Never. I used XP for a year or so (not
on my current drive, it's on a 40GB drive in a drawer) but went back to
2k as it's quicker and I don't have to disable all the dumbed down stuff
and resource-using frills. That was funny too. *Every* time I booted it
would swap my modem driver for my audio driver and I'd have to swap it
back. I'd be happy with that now though.

"test" <test@test.test> wrote

> "Rock" <Rock@nospam.net> wrote in
> news:#ztHVa6hHHA.5008@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl:
>
>> "test" <test@test.test> wrote
>>
>>> "CreateWindow" <createwindow@gmail.com> wrote in
>>> news:qoCdnRl6QpmyVbPbnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@giganews.com :
>>>
>>>> Dear Test,
>>>>
> <snip>
> Read this on
>>>> another machine: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
>>>>
>>>> For a quick fix, try a chkdsk /r /p at the recovery console.
>
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>> Thanks for the suggestion but...
> <snip>
>>> So there is no way to repair the registry in XP
> <snip>
>>
>> "How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP
>> from Starting"
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545
>>
>> If you know where the problem lies in the registry you could edit it
>> remotely
>> http://www.dougknox.com/
>> Win XP Tips
>> Advanced Registry Editing
>>
>
> Thanks for that info. I'll save that in numerous places as well as print
> it.
> I wouldn't have thought to look in the windows/temp folder for a full
> registry backup.
> I use a program, CCleaner which cleans out Temp folders. There's nought
> in the windows/temp folder on the Win2k box I'm using now. Unless they're
>
> created as Windows shuts down which would make sense.
> I didn't have any of the errors on that page link you provided but I did
> actually get the error message again on a static screen:
>
> Stop c000021a {Fatal System Error}
> The session manager initialization system process terminated unexpectedly
> with a status of 0xc0000017 (0x00000000, 0x0000000) The system has
>
> been shut down.
>
> This appears to be a totally different situation relating to 'pending
> file-rename operations' which can't be completed.
> Here's the MS fix for NT4. Haven't found the XP one yet:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317189
>
> The fix you linked to wouldn't have helped me as I would just be copying
> the same 'doomed to fail' registry.
>
> I gave up on the XP install and then had a bugger of a time stopping it.
> I couldn't boot from a floppy even after disabling all devices in the
> BIOS (including the HDD) except for the floppy. Everytime I powered up I
> got the XP Setup screen with '39 minutes to go' prompting me for the CD
> which I even fed it a couple of times and waited till it eventually
> failed.
> I got around it by installing Win2k, deleting and reformatting C: (20GB
> FAT32 partition) in the process. I thought I'd be OK now but I had major
>
> problems again and now that won't boot either. I'm beginning to think my
> problems are hardware related. They're all new and unused (except for
> what's happened :-( )
> (ASUS M2N, AMD 3800 dual, Seagate 160GB sata, 2x512 DDR2 Corsair value,
> Gigabyte 7600GS)<- I'm thinking Mobo first but it'll be trial and
>
> error process. First I'll try a setup on a spare IDE HDD as the board has
> 1xIDE connection. If that fails, it's the mobo or the mem.
> (Tinfoil theory?):
> Unless XP leaves some hidden protected stuff on the HDD in that case I'll
> have to zero the whole 160GB drive with Autoclave or DBan. Is that
>
> possible? That XP leaves hidden code on the HDD that escapes formatting
> and could still be interfering with operations?
> I've never had issues like this. Never. I used XP for a year or so (not
> on my current drive, it's on a 40GB drive in a drawer) but went back to
> 2k as it's quicker and I don't have to disable all the dumbed down stuff
> and resource-using frills. That was funny too. *Every* time I booted it
> would swap my modem driver for my audio driver and I'd have to swap it
> back. I'd be happy with that now though.


I have seen situations where it was necessary to write zeros to a drive, but
I've not seen issues where XP left residuals that needed it.

Failures to install successfully are almost always due to hardware problems.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:09:40 +0000, test wrote:

> just plain rob <pinball@dca.net> wrote in
> newsan.2007.04.25.07.01.04@dca.net:
>
>> On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:49:15 +0000, test wrote:
>>
>>> I've just setup XP+SP2 on a brand new box. Installed XP Installed SP2
>>> Graphics drivers
>>> M/board drivers
>>> Reboots between all and then a couple of cold ones for good measure.
>>> All was looking good.
>>> Decided to change the picture/icon for the sole admin user account.
>>> Did that and closed out. Then thought to change the password also so
>>> clicked again on 'Users and accounts' but it wouldn't open and I got
>>> an error message instead - a problem with 'mshta'. I tried a couple
>>> times but same error. I decided to reboot. Now it gets to the Windows
>>> logo, briefly, then goes black and there is a quick flash of a blue
>>> screen (so fast I can't read it) and it starts to boot again. It keeps
>>> doing this. I have a thread a little ways above this one: 'How do I
>>> get rid of warning balloon when Win Update turned off.' Elmo got me
>>> sorted on that. I also turned off the firewall. The machine wasn't
>>> going online until I finished setting it up (hours to go). I didn't
>>> want to install SP2 but the motherboard required it for USB2.0 and the
>>> onboard audio. I've tried unplugging everthing except the HDD and
>>> tried all the sata connections, different power leads to the drive,
>>> but I'm stumped. As I said, it was all looking sweet so I dunno what's
>>> gone wrong. The only thing I can think of is to try an install of
>>> Win2k+SP3 or 4 (for the mobo requirements) or a Linux distro!
>>>
>>> Any ideas welcome.
>>
>> The "brand new" part raised my eyebrow...
>>
>> Having had this happen to me this week, maybe it will help you:
>>
>> Bought new Toshiba laptop, erased Vista and installed XP and favorite
>> programs. S.O.B. was squirrelly as hell, often hung, froze, sometimes
>> wouldn't recognize clicks. Checked Toshiba web and found that neither
>> available BIOS works with XP! They pulled a Steve Jobs on me by not
>> being backward compatible with software! If I wanted an Apple... BTW,
>> you don't want Vista right now...
>>
>> Anyway, read your BIOS notes and use the appropriate latest for XP.
>> (After installing XP, dual- boot that sucker: install Suse, Ubuntu or
>> Free BSD with KDE 3.5.6 right on top. You'll use XP less and less.)
>>
>> And if you want to be anal about installing new systems, like I am,
>> permanently turn off all services except the Microsoft stuff until
>> you're done. But that first boot will be a longer one as all of the new
>> stuff write prefs and config files for the first time.
>>
>>
> Part of the reason I bought the mobo (asus m2n) was that it wasn't
> 'Vista compliant' as yet (that'll come later, I guess, in a BIOS
> update). I know I'll never want Vista.

Well, it's my wife's machine and it's not too bad--installed a "one
version old" copy of Stuffit I wasn't using and never saw so many blue
screens on shutdown. Took forever to figure out what the hey was
happening.
Although they did clean up some interface compared to XP, I don't see
"ten years of development" here. If you are a tweaker who likes a clean
gui interface, you owe it to yourself to try KDE on top of some Linux
distro. (Try a live disk--you don't need to install it.) I don't want to
sound like a Linux spammer here--I will always use Windows and expect by
this time next year (SP1, perhaps?), I will be running Vista--if it
tolerates my apps and meets me halfway.

Just for the record here, it's a 135-4478 Toshiba Satellite. No XP
possible. 10 days old.

> However, it's forcing me to use
> XPSP2 unless I buy a separate sound card (I'd hope that'd solve that
> one) and do without USB2.0.

Why not run SP2? Too kludgy?
Anyway, for about $19 bucks you can stuff a USB card in there that will
probably not require SP2. Sounds like yoou have a very specific use for
this machine...

> So you had to re-install Vista? That does
> suck. It really is a conspiracy denying choice.

Apple has been doing it for years. I had 19 cpus on an all Apple network
and it cost a fortune to keep up with our clients' new software. When
they changed, you naturally had to. The incompatibilities are incredible
with Apple developers and their OS. After paying through the johnson for
years, I fully understand why they don't make Quicktime built into the
system: they can force you to add things to it like mpeg-2 codec readers
then "Pro" versions independently timed of the OS release. The answer to
everything Apple is "buy something new". Would have been cheaper keeping
19 girlfriends...

> Even if you have all the
> extra resources needed to run it you may well want to utilise them
> better by running a less hungry OS. I was going to install XUbuntu after
> I got XP set up.

Haven't run it yet, but I recommended because everyone who uses it, loves
it. It's originally based on the old Debian framework. A new version came
out in the last two weeks. I do know that Suse will install right on top
of Vista and XP with no problem. My wife has it on her new laptop and
doesn't even know it yet...