Question : Windows XP Home Edition Problems starting up

I have a Windows XP Home Edition Dell PC on my work table that was brought to me with problems.

The user said that she plugged an IPAQ into it and since then she cannot start the PC except in SAFE MODE. When I try to let it load naturally, it displays the default splash screen and after a few minutes the indicator stops moving back and forth. I have to reboot it from that point.

Then I have to start it in SAFE MODE. When I go into CP>Network Connections, the page that displays is totally blank. Is that normal?

I do not have any experience with the Home Edition, have plenty with the Pro Edition.

When I go into SERVICES, most are not loaded and I believe that is due to the fact that I am in SAFE MODE. A look at the Event Log shows the following events having taken place everytime the server reboots:

System:
DCOM, 10005
Service Control Manager, 7001
Service Control Manager, 7026

Application:
Userenv, 1524
EventSystem, 4609
VSS, 8193

I do have the original MS Windows Home Edition Restore CD from DELL.

I would prefer not to wipe it out and restore everything, but of course if it is necessary and the fastest track to resolution, I will. If I do use the restore CD from DELL, will it wipe out all applications and data? [I know the answer in XP Pro is YES, just have to ask]

Answer : Windows XP Home Edition Problems starting up

Hiya,

You have several options here:

1  -  network connections would be blank if there are not network adapters / firewire devices / internet gateways set up. Is there a network adapter in this computer? Did you boot into safe mode with networking?
2 - I suppose the "easiest" guaranteed fix would be to do a complete wipe & load from the Dell restore CD, and yes, this will wipe all data from the system partition.
3 - If you want to fix it rather than wiping it, (recommend you back up any critical data first) try:
a) If you can get hold of a Windows XP Home CD (not a restore disc, which will probably wipe the drive), try doing a repair installation. I find this is usually a very easy and successful way to solve startup issues without spending a lot of time and effort.
b) uninstall any software the user may have installed for the ipaq, eg activesync and reboot to see if that helps
c) run msconfig and un-check ALL items on the startup tab. Try booting into normal mode then. If this works, then enable the startup items one by one and see which one causes the problem
d) try system restore to restore the system to a known good state (C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe )

Hope that helps, let me know how you get on..

cheers

bud