windows 2000 boot log does not create ntbtlog.txt

[stfaprc]

W2K, SP4.
The OS will not boot up and I can not get any hints as to why.
It displays the text screen 'starting windows' and fills up the white bar on bottom pretty quickly but then just hangs there. The pc is then stuck, keyboard stops functioning.

I created a boot disk but that still didn't help.
Tried the R option with the installation CD, still no go.
Installed another W2K onto a different drive (E) - that one works but the original on C still does not.
Tried all the options for booting, all give same result with the addition that the 'boot logging' mode does not create the ntbtlog.txt anywhere.

Any ideas out there?
If someone knows how I can transfer the profiles and registry from the W2k on C to the one on E, that would help too.

 

[wolluf]

Without history on the original installation, it could be many things causing problem (eg, driver, virus, spyware, system file corruption). One 'cure-all' method is a repair reinstall (

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292175&Product=win2000).

This is NOT a repair using ERD nor recovery console. In my experience this sorts 2k problems 90% of the time (you should also scan for viruses/spyware if you get back up - and you'll need to reapply SP4 - unless you use a SP4 install CD - and visit windows update).

If you stick with new installation, you shouldn't transfer the old registry, as it may contain the cause of the problem, AND its been built up on the basis of your use of the old installation. You can copy the folders from the old profiles (in documents and settings) to new ones (eg, My documents, favourites, emails/address books).

 

[stfaprc]

As noted , the Repair option did not help.
I need the registry since some pieces of software installation regarding licensing and the such are kept in the registry and not in a file in a directory.

 

[wolluf]

So have you tried the repair reinstall I suggested?

You really need to reinstall software if you use the new installation - unless you haven't got setup files, keys etc. But trying to transfer the old registry (SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE & SYSTEM files in C:\WINNT\system32\config, plus NTUSER.DAT from each user profile) would just be asking for trouble IMO. A lot of the software still won't work without further tweaking, as any system files installed by said software will NOT be available in the new installtion.

My advice (based on lack of info! - you still haven't given history on the cause of the problem) is to try the repair reinstall - if no good (and no other 'repair' options work), you need to set everything up fresh in new installation (I'd backup stuff, and start completely fresh - ie, wipe the drive and install new).