WIN XP OS TROUBLESHOOTING SCENARIOS

Windows XP screenshot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A screenshot of Windows Advanced Options menu generated by NTLDR Boot loader of Microsoft Windows XP. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WIN XP START UP TROUBLESHOOTING SCENARIOS
Troubleshooting Scenarios
Scenario1 – NTLDR is Missing
Error: NTLDR is Missing Press any key to restart Boot.
Solution:
Copy the ntldr and ntdetect.com files from the XP CD to your computer.
• Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
• When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
• Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the ‘R’ key to repair Windows.
• Log into your Windows installation by pressing the ‘1’ key and press enter.
• You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
• Copy the two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk.
o copy cdrom:\i386\ntldr c:\
o copy cdrom:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.
Scenario2 – Unmountable Boot Volume
Error: Unmountable Boot Volume
Solutions:
If it is the connector cable problem then replace the 40-wire cable with an 80-wire UDMA cable. If it’s a BIOS settings problem then load the ‘Fail-Safe’ default settings, and then reactivate the most frequently used options such as USB Support.
If it’s a damaged file system case then:-
• Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
• Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.
• When the ‘Welcome to Setup’ screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
• If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
• When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
• At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.
• At the command prompt, type exit, and then press ENTER to restart your computer.
Scenario3 – HAL.Dll is missing or Invalid Boot.ini
Error: Invalid Boot.ini or Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll
Solution:
To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:
• Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.
• Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
• When you receive the “Press any key to boot from CD” message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.
• When you receive the “Welcome to Setup” message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
• If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.
• When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
• At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list , and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.
• At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild , and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:
o When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
o You receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Enter Load Identifier
This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition .
o You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter OS Load options
When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.
Note: The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.
• Type exit; and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the “Please select the operating system to start” message.

Scenario4 = Unable to install windows update 0x80070643
Error: Error 80070643
Solution:
Method 1: Rename the Edb.log file
This issue may occur if the hotfix installer references the Edb.log file, and the file is corrupted. To resolve this issue, rename the Edb.log file. To do this, follow these steps:
• Start Windows Explorer, and then open the following folder: C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\
• Right-click the Edb.log file, and then click Rename. Rename the file ‘Edb.old.’
• Start Internet Explorer, and then open the Windows Update Web site to continue the updates. If you still cannot install the updates, rename the CatRoot2 folder. To do this, follow these steps:
• Start Windows Explorer, and then open the following folder:
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\
• Right-click the CatRoot2 folder, and then click Rename. Rename the CatRoot2 folder ‘CatRoot2old’.
• Start Internet Explorer, and then open the Windows Update Web site to continue the updates.
Method 2: Register the DLL files
This issue may occur if the correct DLL files have not been registered. To register the DLL files, follow these steps:
• Click Start, click Run, type regsvr32 licdll.dll in the Open box, and then click OK. When you receive the message that the DllRegisterServer succeeded, click OK.
• Click Start, click Run, type regsvr32 regwizc.dll in the Open box, and then click OK. When you receive the message that the DllRegisterServer succeeded, click OK.
Method 3: Repair the certificate
This issue may occur if the ‘Microsoft Root Authority’ certificate or the ‘NO LIABILITY ACCEPTED, (c)97 VeriSign, Inc.‘ certificate under Trusted Root Certification Authorities has been removed. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
On another computer where the Microsoft Root Authority certificate has been installed, open Internet Explorer.
• Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
• Click the Content tab, and then click Certificates.
• Click the Trusted Root Certification Authorities tab.
• Scroll down, and then click Microsoft Root Authority.
• Click Export.
• Follow the steps in the wizard to export the certificate to a DER Encoded Binary x.509-format file (.cer file) file on a floppy disk or to a shared folder that is accessible to the computer that cannot install updates.
• On the computer that cannot install updates, open Internet Explorer.
• Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
• Click the Content tab, and then click Certificates.
• Click the Trusted Root Certification Authorities tab.
• Click Import.
• In the wizard, click Next.
• Click Browse to locate the file that you saved to a floppy disk or to a shared folder, and then click Open.
• Click Next, click Automatically select the certificate store based on the type of certificate, click Next, and then click Finish.
Method 4: Delete the WUTemp files
This issue may occur if the contents of the WUTemp folder are corrupted. To resolve this issue, delete the Windows Installer temporary files. Remember that these files are stored in a hidden folder. You must make the folder visible.
To delete the Windows Installer temporary files, follow these steps:
• Click Start, and then click My Computer.
• On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
• Click the View tab.
• Click to clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box.
• Click the Show Hidden files and folders option, and then click OK.
• Double-click Local Disk (C:).
Note: If you have more than one hard disk drive on your computer, the WUTemp folder may be located on another partition.
• Double-click WUTemp.
• On the Edit menu, click Select All to select all the files in the WUTemp folder.
• On the File menu, click Delete. If you are prompted to confirm the file deletion, click Yes.
Method 5: Check the firewall, antivirus, and other software
A software firewall is a security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network and the outside world. If you have a firewall installed, it can prevent your computer from connecting to the Windows Update server.
To determine if the firewall is causing the issue, temporarily disable the firewall, and then see if the error persists. If disabling the firewall resolves the issue, contact the firewall software manufacturer for directions about how to configure your firewall to allow you to use Windows Update. Make sure that TCP/IP ports 80 and 443 are open in both directions. Make sure that your firewall is not blocking scripting functions on Web sites.
If your antivirus or other software is causing the issue, temporarily disable all non-Microsoft software, such as your antivirus software, or any Web accelerator or Web enhancement programs, before accessing the Windows Update Web site. If disabling the non-Microsoft software resolves the issue, contact the software manufacturer for directions about how to configure your software to allow you to use Windows Update.
Scenario5 – Program Files Are Missing or Damaged when you boot your computer
Error while booting the computer: Windows could not start because of an error in the software, Load needed DLL’s for Kernel
CAUSE: Windows XP or Windows 2000 program files are either missing or damaged
RESOLUTION
• Repair the Windows XP with the help of XP operating system CD if this fails than use windows upgrade option to recover the system.
• If setup does not recognize the current installation of windows than you need to completely reinstall windows or parallel installation to protect the data.
Boot Error “CD Recording Software Will Cause Windows to Become Unstable”
SYMPTOMS: When you start Microsoft Windows XP getting error like-
Devices or applications disabled
CD Recording software will cause Windows to become unstable. Windows has prevented these drivers from loading. Click here for more details.
Devices or applications disabled –
CD Recording software will cause Windows to become unstable. Windows has prevented these drivers from loading. Click here for more details.
When you read error details it show that recording driver is corrupted which also causing issue while using CD/DVD
The drivers may be installed by Easy CD Creator or Windows Media Player or Real Jukebox
If you check event id you will see
• Event Type: Error
• Event Source: Service Control Manager
• Event Category: None
• Event ID: 7000

CAUSE: Early version of Easy CD Creator installed on Windows XP-based computer
You have removed an early version of Easy CD Creator before you upgraded your computer to Windows XP
RESOLUTION:
Take the backup of registry & crate a system restore point.
Uninstall Easy CD creator from add/remove program in control panel
Now search for cdr*.sys files in all files & folders.
You will see Cdr4_2K.sys & Cdralw2k.sys rename them .old in place of .sys extension
Now open registry through regedit, start>run>regedit>ok
Locate the following registry subkey:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
• In the right pane of Registry Editor, right-click the UpperFilters value (if it is present), and then click Delete. Click Yes on the Confirm Value Delete message.
• Right-click the LowerFilters value (if it is present), and then click Delete. Click Yes on the “Confirm Value Delete” message.
• Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdr4_2K
• On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes on the “Confirm Key Delete” message.
• Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdralw2k
• On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes on the “Confirm Key Delete” message.
• Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdudf
• On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes on the Confirm Key Delete message.
• Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UdfReadr
• On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes on the Confirm Key Delete message.
• On the File menu, click Exit.
Restart the computer.

Scenario6 – Error message when you try to install a program that uses the Windows Installer in XP
Cause: This issue may occur when the Windows Installer files are missing or damaged.
Solution:
To resolve this issue, use one or more of the following methods in the order that they are listed.
Method 1: Reregister the Windows Installer
• Quit all Windows programs.
• Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /unregister in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /regserver in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Restart your computer.
Method 2: Remove the Windows Installer files
• Quit all Windows programs.
• Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /unregister in the Open box, and then click OK.
• In Windows Explorer, rename the following files in the %systemroot%\System32 folder:
o Msi.dll
o Msihnd.dll
o Msiexec.exe
Note: If you cannot rename these files, try to rename the files at a command prompt. To start a command prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Restart Windows XP.
Method 3: Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode
Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode, and then retry Method 1 and Method 2.
Scenario7 – Computer stops responding with a black screen when you start Windows XP
SYMPTOMS: Empty black screen with a blinking cursor after POST before XP logo appears
CAUSE: This issue may occur if you have a CD, a DVD or a floppy disk in your CD, DVD, or floppy drive when you start the computer.
OR
If one or more of the following elements are corrupted and will not load during the boot sequence of the computer –
• Master boot record
• Partition tables
• Boot sector
• NTLDR file

Solution:
Kindly check & remove any media like floppy, CD, DVD etc & restart the system. If able to boot the system with the help of XP CD ROM or boot disk that means that damage is limited to the master boot record, the boot sector, or the NTLDR file. After Windows XP is running, immediately back up all data before you try to fix the boot sector.
Warning: If computer is infected with a virus and you use the FIXMBR command, you may be unable to start the computer. Before you use this command, make sure that the computer is not infected with a virus.
• Run a current virus scanning program to verify that no virus is present
• Repair the master boot record by using the FIXMBR command from the Windows XP Recovery Console.
• If still issue is not fixed than Repair the operating system by the repair command during XP installation process.
Scenario8 – How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
Solution:
Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel
• Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Click to select the Show Updates check box.
• Click Windows XP Service Pack 2, and then click Remove.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.
Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
• Click Start, click Run, type.
• C:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
• When the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.
Use the System Restore process
• Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
• Click the date that you installed Windows XP SP2, and then click Installed Window XP Service Pack 2 in the Restore Point box.
• Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.
Use Recovery Console
Warning: The following steps contain information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up, and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs.
• If you cannot successfully remove Windows XP SP2 by using one of the previous methods, follow these steps:
• Insert the Windows XP startup disk in your floppy disk drive or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
• Remember that when you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD: Press any key to boot from CD
Note: Your computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or the DVD drive.
• When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
• Select the Windows XP installation in question. Remember that you must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available.
• If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER. (Typically, the password is blank.) Remember that you will not be able to continue if you do not have the administrator password.
• At the command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst , and then press ENTER.
• Remember that after you complete this step, you cannot stop the removal process.
• At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt , and then press ENTER.
Note: The Spuninstal.txt file appears. As the file scrolls down, you will see errors and files being copied. This is normal behavior.
• After Windows XP SP2 is removed, type exit , and then press ENTER.
• Restart your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, press F8 as the computer restarts.
Note: After you restart, the system may lock up with a black screen. (Your mouse will work.) In this case, restart again by turning the computer off and then back on. The second restart will let you to log on.
• When your computer restarts, Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe) does not run, and the Windows icons and the Start button are unavailable. To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
o Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to start Task Manager.
o Click File, and then click New Task (Run…).
o In the Open box, type regedit , and then click OK.
o Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
o HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs
o On the right side of the viewing pane, right-click ObjectName, click Modify, type LocalSystem in the Value data box, and then click OK.
o Restart your computer
• Use one of the previous methods to remove Windows XP SP2 from your computer.
Scenario9 – CD/DVD drive is not recognized by Windows or other programs
If CD/DVD drive is not recognized by Windows or other programs then you need to perform the following steps:
Note: Remember to take to backup of registry as change to registry might cause severe damage to the system and you might not be able to boot the system.
1. Click Start and then click Run
2. Type Regedit and then click Ok
3. Locate the key:
For Vista:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
For XP:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
4. On the right pane delete Upper filter
5. On the right pane delete lower filter
6. Close the Registry Editor
7. Restart the Computer