XP udated during shutdown, now no Windows

[pudda]

This is the situation:
Dell Dimension 2400, BIOS updated, fresh install of XP Home with new hard drive, all windows updates. Installed AVG andtivirus, upgraded Java, installed Adobe Reader 8, setup Outlook Express, installed backup OE mail and address book.
Rebooted, more windows updates, as we always do using Custom and installing all updates not just standard. Opened OE and downloaded all mail. Rebooted, checked system and working fine. Installed DVD burner and software. Rebooted.
Had errands to do and left the machine on. When I came back to shut down, clicked on Shutdown and had computer install updates, then it shut off.
Took the computer to friends house and plugged it in. That is when the strange thing happened: the system started all by itself, BIOS was clean- no proper date, no hardware. Put it all back in, restarted and Windows logo comes up, then only a cursor in the middle of the desktop with absolutely no hdd activity.
Took it back home, loads fine in Safe Mode but the same problem in normal mode.
Did all the fixes: System Restore, uninstall from safe mode of those updates, Recovery mode with chkdsk /r, chkdsk /p. Nothing in normal mode. Back into safe mode with fixmbr c:, fixboot c:, bootcfg /rebuild. Standard replies of yes, xp, /fastdetect. Tried that system, same thing.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Am expecting to have to do a complete reinstall and do one windows update at a time but puzzled as to why safe mode loads fine.

The test continues...

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

You said you did a Custom install on the Windows Update, did you install any new hardware drivers? If so rollback the hardware drivers that were installed. I'd also go through all of those custom updates before installing them, as all of them are not necessarily needed and may adversely effect your system. Check Device Manager for any errors. Also, check out Event Viewer to see if any problems are logged there. Is the BIOS losing its settings every time you boot up?

Joey
A+, MCP

 

[linney]

Have you looked at the Bios, did the update cause any problems, was it the correct version for your machine?

Have you tried setting the Bios to the Safe Default setting?

Safe Mode is similar to a clean boot: they both disable non-essential programs and services. Safe Mode also disables non-essential drivers.

So if Safe Mode works you could try via Safe Mode using Msconfig, see articles.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

If it still crashes in Normal Mode but is OK in Safe Mode, that would suggest a Driver problem.


HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

Never let Microsoft update your hardware drivers for you (go to the actual manufacturer instead), Microsoft get it wrong so often it is quite embarrassing.

 

[pudda]

Joey,
This system worked up to the point where I shut it down and it installed updates before actually shutting down. I did a system restore up to the point of after installation of sp2, uninstalled video drivers, and removed those Windows updates that I could (add/remove said 2 of them could not be removed).
The Device Manager shows no problems whatsoever in Safe Mode.
I have not checked the Event Viewer, did not even think of that in Safe Mode but will sure look at it tonight. The BIOS thing is what has me stumped. Thought it might possibly be the onboard battery failing, but this system has had major problems ever since a lightning strike that took out their DSL modem and the motherboards internal NIC (failure of NIC at every startup) causing me to install an FA311. Now the puzzling part is that this only happened at their premise- the auto start and the BIOS wiped- and the system was fine at my place until taking to theirs. This would indicate a voltage problem which I will definately look at when over there next time. But in the meantime I will probably have to reinstall Windows to get this system going again.
Thanks for the suggestions, this is one system I have worked on mutiple times and and have suggested that they replace the computer. Tried to get them to turn it in on insurance when it got hit but they keep pumping money into it.
One last try then they will have to take it someplace else for repair, too many variables for error on this system:
Replaced the power supply (after hit)
Replaced hard drive
Replaced memory
Replaced NIC
Complete Windows reinstall 5 times (6th coming up)
Loose onboard video port
Why do I keep trying? They are neighbors and I haven't charged them a dime, but I think it is time to throw in the towel on this system.

linney,
Thanks for the suggestions, will definately give the last two a try (tried the first).
Will keep you posted as this nightmare goes on!

The test continues...

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
After that lighting hit, I would not be surprised if some of the motherboard connections got fried or, at least, made unreliable...Maybe the battery is losing a connection path so the bios dies...

Given the low relative price of new machines, further efforts on this one seems like an exercise in futility...








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