Windows 2000 computer won't startup...

Keyhole · Mar 21, 2006

My buddies Windows 2000 machine begins to startup, but then freezes about 3/4 through the task bar at the opening screen. It also will not startup via Safe Mode.

Any ideas? We do not have a boot disc here either.

Arch · Mar 21, 2006

I had a very wierd boot freeze problem that came out of the blue once.

Disable USB ports or drop them back to USB1.1 not 2.0

..worth a shot.

uniball · Mar 21, 2006

Keyhole said:
My buddies Windows 2000 machine begins to startup, but then freezes about 3/4 through the task bar at the opening screen. It also will not startup via Safe Mode.

Any ideas? We do not have a boot disc here either.

Can you open task manager and see if it is hung on something?

HDTony · Mar 21, 2006

just had this happen a few weeks back on my laptop, according to everyone here the boot sector was all hosed up. I ended up replacing my Hard drive with one that had a fresh load on it.

Oh and I see uniball posted, whatever he says is what you do. the guys knows his shit.

Keyhole · Mar 21, 2006

is it possible to open task manager during startup? it won't on this computer

uniball · Mar 21, 2006

Keyhole said:
is it possible to open task manager during startup? it won't on this computer

Ctrl + Shift + Esc that should do it.

Arch · Mar 21, 2006

It sounds like a corrupt driver file, corrupt registry entry or flakey piece of hardware.

Keyhole · Mar 21, 2006

nothing happens...with Ctrl + Shift + Esc

uniball · Mar 21, 2006

Keyhole said:
nothing happens...with Ctrl + Shift + Esc

that's not good.

does the BIOS have a drive check app on it?

Arch · Mar 21, 2006

Does the caps/num lock key function at this point?

This can help us determine hardware vs software problem.

Non function is PROBABLY hardware (FREEZE) where software problem (windows part) would still have a functional numlock/caps lock key.

oldschoolninja · Mar 21, 2006

theres a way to restore your registry, i cant remember how to do it.

if arch or uniball know the way to do it.

you install a bootable disk, get into dos, then type in some commands that gets the generic registry put in your system.

U can search for it online for registry backup.

cam_neely_8 · Mar 21, 2006

Get a new HD. Plug this one in as a secondary drive after you install windows on that one...copy files over..them REFORMAT BABY !!

HDTony · Mar 21, 2006

cam_neely_8 said:
Get a new HD. Plug this one in as a secondary drive after you install windows on that one...copy files over..them REFORMAT BABY !!

Yup. thats basicly what I did.

Arch · Mar 21, 2006

cam_neely_8 said:
Get a new HD. Plug this one in as a secondary drive after you install windows on that one...copy files over..them REFORMAT BABY !!

And if you have a corrupted driver or something from your startup launch, you'll copy over the exact same problem.

Any word on the caps/numlock keys?

Are they functional?

shadrach · Mar 21, 2006

Perform a repair by booting from the Windows 2000 CD.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/268106/en-us

If this works, reapply Service Pack 4 and run Windows Update immediately afterwards, in that order.

uniball · Mar 21, 2006

shadrach said:
Perform a repair by booting from the Windows 2000 CD.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/268106/en-us

If this works, reapply Service Pack 4 and run Windows Update immediately afterwards, in that order.

+1 this works pretty well too. If it doesn't work the good part is that it won't make it worse.

Paladin · Mar 22, 2006

Have you tried a safemode start if you can. Tap f8 while it i booting and then see what you get.

whiteSeatEnvy · Mar 22, 2006

Definitely sounds like a muffler bearing.

pale rider · Mar 22, 2006

whiteSeatEnvy said:
Definitely sounds like a muffler bearing.

No no no.... type "Bill Gates" during startup... that should get you past HAL. (and it's case sensitive)

Pirate · Mar 22, 2006

Since Windows tries to boot, the data on the disk is probably not corrupted. Like the other advice on the board, if you can get a new drive installed, and then look at the hosed drive, you should be able to pull data off of it and move to the newly formated drive.

RSV4win · Mar 22, 2006

Take all pci cards out that you can?

What brand of pc is it?

go to their website and download the diagnostics disk and create the floppy.

that should rule out hardware.:1pimp

Keyhole · Mar 22, 2006

Sorry I had to bail earlier, had a trade show I was running late for. It's a company PC and we ended up contacting the IT dept. I hate dealing with them because we have to send the tower out to the east coast, then wait 2 weeks before they finally get around to fixing it.

We don't have a windows 2000 boot disc unfortunately. I have an XP one, but I assume that won't work. Guess we'll be boxing it up tomorrow.

uniball · Mar 22, 2006

Keyhole said:
Sorry I had to bail earlier, had a trade show I was running late for. It's a company PC and we ended up contacting the IT dept. I hate dealing with them because we have to send the tower out to the east coast, then wait 2 weeks before they finally get around to fixing it.

We don't have a windows 2000 boot disc unfortunately. I have an XP one, but I assume that won't work. Guess we'll be boxing it up tomorrow.

It your company is willing... I can take a look at it. Worst thing I would have to do is grab data and rebuild it.

Wink · Mar 22, 2006

I just gotta admit... I LOVE threads like this.

(sorry for your pain)

Now where are all the pundits that say that Windows NEVER crashes... remember those threads from a couple of weeks ago?

Arch · Mar 22, 2006

If it's a hardware problem, it's not a 'Windows' Problem.

shadrach · Mar 22, 2006

Wink said:
I just gotta admit... I LOVE threads like this.

(sorry for your pain)

Now where are all the pundits that say that Windows NEVER crashes... remember those threads from a couple of weeks ago?

Apple's are good, but they aren't the solution to everything that's wrong in the universe.

Windows 2000 computer won't startup...

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