WinXP Pro Not Booting === Challenging Problem for Experts - Cant use Recovery Console or Repair, Install Loops + Encrypted Data to retrive

> WinXP Pro Not Booting - Challenging Problem for Experts - Cant use

> Console or Repair, Install Loops + Encrypted Data to retrive
>
> ******Issue******
>
> Laptop wouldnt boot due to a registry issue/corruption - Was able to go

> windows and login, but no shell (start menu, desktop, icons etc)
>
> Safe Mode, Last Know Good and all other users profiles didnt work either -
> same issue as above.
>
> I do not have a ASR Boot Disk, but do have a System State backup on my
> drive.
>
> *****Fixs Tried******
>
> 1. Recovery Console
>
> Tried using Recovery Console from WinXP CD, ie. Boot from XP CD
>
> Refer
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307545
> How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from
> Starting.
> (The procedure described in this article uses Recovery Console and System
> Restore)
>
> This worked until I got to the Admin password prompt. It then failed as
> there is a bug with Recovery Console and some machines where XP was OEM
> installed. So its not possible to run Recovery Console.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;308402 - 'The
> Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to Recovery
> Console in WinXP
>
> 2. Repair from XP CD
>
> I next tried a repair from CD per MS KB article.
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;315341 - How to
> Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
>
> This started to work but then after installing drivers and adding CD Key

> restarted the PC (reading about 32 minutes remaining). It restarts the
> install from scratch again (......"restarting Setup.....")
>
> And It goes round and round in this loop. Probably due to the auto restart
> on device install failure or perhaps because of the corrupt registry.
>
> *******Current Status******
>
> Starting PC now restarts the WinXP install as it never finished last time,
> ie. it DOESNT go to a Win Startup Adv Start Up menu now.
>
> So I'm kind off half way into an install that wont complete. Its possible

> boot with XP CD and go to Recovery Console and/or XP Install. But neither
> work.
>
> I could do a new install maybe but this may not work either and may????
> result in me not being able to access user profiles and data that is
> ENCRYPTED using WinXP EFS - I do not have the key saved anywhere to disk
> etc.
>
> *******
> I am really desperate on what to do with this due ro my 8GB's of encrypted
> data, can anyone please help?
> *******
>
> I have contacted MS and the OEM and they are no help, expect to try a
> parallel install of Windows which will I'm sure will lose all my encrypted
> data, or at leas never allow me to access it again.
>
> I think I need an NTFS Dos type app so that I can follow a [semi] normal
> procedure for system restore per KB article on using the recovery console.
>
>
> *****Can anyone provide any light please:*******
>
> 1. What options do I have?
>
> 2. Can I save my data anyway? esp. given that its encrypted?
>
> 3. Is using some sort of NTFS DOS type app going to be enough for me to
> restore some standard registry setting settings to boot?
>
> 4 If I do this will it boot given that I am now half way through a new
> install that wont finish?
>
> 5. Is it possible to force the install to complete, disable the flag
> somewhere that is making it reboot?
>
> 6. Will the restore options,ie. converting back to an original registry

> given that I seem to be half way through an install? If I do this it may

> boot anyway?
>
> *******
>
> I'd really appreciate any help that people can give me, feel free to email
> group or myself direct. Im sure that others must have had this problem.
> Basically if it had not been for the MS BUG with Recovery Console and OEM
> version of XP I would have had it fixed in 30 minutes.
>
> Regards
> Paul
>
> ps. For more on the repair options I have tried you can check out this
> excellent resource with screen shots:
> http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
>
> Also I think reinstalling will also cause some data loss according to:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312369 -You May

> Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading

> XP
>
>

> Bill, thanks for the response, however as I am unable to boot the machine
> into anything resembling Windows I am therefore unable to apply a patch to
> resolve the Recovery Console password problem (KB 307545).
>
> Anyone know a way of fixing the recovery Console Password issue by say
> getting the files themselves and copying them to the appropriate location?
>
> Basically I need to get a recovery console type thing happening so that I
> can restore registry files for the system to boot, assuming it can given
> that it has stopped half way through an install......Please see email below
> regarding full extent of issue........
>
> Cheers
> Paul
>
> <<>>
> "Bill James" <wgjames@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:unkNTIcVDHA.2000@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> The KB article for password rejection using the Recovery Console gives
> information on how to obtain the hotfix by calling MS Support. As long as
> you have that specific problem and do not ask any other support questions
> during the call you will not be charged for the call.
>
> You might want to check your RAM with a good boot disk diagnostic checker
> such as Memtest86 - Memory Diagnostic Page: http://www.memtest86.com/. Bad
> RAM could have caused the original problem and the problems with repair
> install.
>
> --
>
> Bill James
> Microsoft MVP·DTS
>
> Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
> Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
>
> "Paul" <paulb@NOSPAMihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:bg5gse$q2f$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...

> > WinXP Pro Not Booting - Challenging Problem for Experts - Cant use

> Recovery

> > Console or Repair, Install Loops + Encrypted Data to retrive
> >
> > ******Issue******
> >
> > Laptop wouldnt boot due to a registry issue/corruption - Was able to go

> into

> > windows and login, but no shell (start menu, desktop, icons etc)
> >
> > Safe Mode, Last Know Good and all other users profiles didnt work either -
> > same issue as above.
> >
> > I do not have a ASR Boot Disk, but do have a System State backup on my
> > drive.
> >
> > *****Fixs Tried******
> >
> > 1. Recovery Console
> >
> > Tried using Recovery Console from WinXP CD, ie. Boot from XP CD
> >
> > Refer
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307545
> > How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from
> > Starting.
> > (The procedure described in this article uses Recovery Console and System
> > Restore)
> >
> > This worked until I got to the Admin password prompt. It then failed as
> > there is a bug with Recovery Console and some machines where XP was OEM
> > installed. So its not possible to run Recovery Console.
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;308402 - 'The
> > Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to Recovery
> > Console in WinXP
> >
> > 2. Repair from XP CD
> >
> > I next tried a repair from CD per MS KB article.
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;315341 - How to
> > Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
> >
> > This started to work but then after installing drivers and adding CD Key

> it

> > restarted the PC (reading about 32 minutes remaining). It restarts the
> > install from scratch again (......"restarting Setup.....")
> >
> > And It goes round and round in this loop. Probably due to the auto restart
> > on device install failure or perhaps because of the corrupt registry.
> >
> > *******Current Status******
> >
> > Starting PC now restarts the WinXP install as it never finished last time,
> > ie. it DOESNT go to a Win Startup Adv Start Up menu now.
> >
> > So I'm kind off half way into an install that wont complete. Its possible

> to

> > boot with XP CD and go to Recovery Console and/or XP Install. But neither
> > work.
> >
> > I could do a new install maybe but this may not work either and may????
> > result in me not being able to access user profiles and data that is
> > ENCRYPTED using WinXP EFS - I do not have the key saved anywhere to disk
> > etc.
> >
> > *******
> > I am really desperate on what to do with this due ro my 8GB's of encrypted
> > data, can anyone please help?
> > *******
> >
> > I have contacted MS and the OEM and they are no help, expect to try a
> > parallel install of Windows which will I'm sure will lose all my encrypted
> > data, or at leas never allow me to access it again.
> >
> > I think I need an NTFS Dos type app so that I can follow a [semi] normal
> > procedure for system restore per KB article on using the recovery console.
> >
> >
> > *****Can anyone provide any light please:*******
> >
> > 1. What options do I have?
> >
> > 2. Can I save my data anyway? esp. given that its encrypted?
> >
> > 3. Is using some sort of NTFS DOS type app going to be enough for me to
> > restore some standard registry setting settings to boot?
> >
> > 4 If I do this will it boot given that I am now half way through a new
> > install that wont finish?
> >
> > 5. Is it possible to force the install to complete, disable the flag
> > somewhere that is making it reboot?
> >
> > 6. Will the restore options,ie. converting back to an original registry

> work

> > given that I seem to be half way through an install? If I do this it may

> not

> > boot anyway?
> >
> > *******
> >
> > I'd really appreciate any help that people can give me, feel free to email
> > group or myself direct. Im sure that others must have had this problem.
> > Basically if it had not been for the MS BUG with Recovery Console and OEM
> > version of XP I would have had it fixed in 30 minutes.
> >
> > Regards
> > Paul
> >
> > ps. For more on the repair options I have tried you can check out this
> > excellent resource with screen shots:
> > http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
> >
> > Also I think reinstalling will also cause some data loss according to:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312369 -You May

> Lose

> > Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading

> Windows

> > XP
> >
> >

>
>

> You can download the XP boot floppies. They are at SP1 rev now and
> include the patch for the OEM password bug.
>
> 310994 - Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310994
>
> However, since you have already started a repair installation, I doubt
> that you can fix things with the Recovery Console. If you complete a
> clean install, your encrypted files are gone forever unless you created
> a recovery certificate. If you can get the repair install to complete,
> then I think you'll be able to read your encrypted files.
>
> --
> Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows
>
>
>
> "Paul" <paulb@NOSPAMihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:bg5qk2$3fi$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...

> > Bill, thanks for the response, however as I am unable to boot the

> machine

> > into anything resembling Windows I am therefore unable to apply a

> patch to

> > resolve the Recovery Console password problem (KB 307545).
> >
> > Anyone know a way of fixing the recovery Console Password issue by say
> > getting the files themselves and copying them to the appropriate

> location?

> >
> > Basically I need to get a recovery console type thing happening so

> that I

> > can restore registry files for the system to boot, assuming it can

> given

> > that it has stopped half way through an install......Please see email

> below

> > regarding full extent of issue........
> >
> > Cheers
> > Paul
> >
> > <<>>
> > "Bill James" <wgjames@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:unkNTIcVDHA.2000@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > The KB article for password rejection using the Recovery Console gives
> > information on how to obtain the hotfix by calling MS Support. As

> long as

> > you have that specific problem and do not ask any other support

> questions

> > during the call you will not be charged for the call.
> >
> > You might want to check your RAM with a good boot disk diagnostic

> checker

> > such as Memtest86 - Memory Diagnostic Page: http://www.memtest86.com/.

> Bad

> > RAM could have caused the original problem and the problems with

> repair

> > install.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Bill James
> > Microsoft MVP·DTS
> >
> > Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
> > Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
> >
> > "Paul" <paulb@NOSPAMihug.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:bg5gse$q2f$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...

> > > WinXP Pro Not Booting - Challenging Problem for Experts - Cant use

> > Recovery

> > > Console or Repair, Install Loops + Encrypted Data to retrive
> > >
> > > ******Issue******
> > >
> > > Laptop wouldnt boot due to a registry issue/corruption - Was able to

> go

> > into

> > > windows and login, but no shell (start menu, desktop, icons etc)
> > >
> > > Safe Mode, Last Know Good and all other users profiles didnt work

> either -

> > > same issue as above.
> > >
> > > I do not have a ASR Boot Disk, but do have a System State backup on

> my

> > > drive.
> > >
> > > *****Fixs Tried******
> > >
> > > 1. Recovery Console
> > >
> > > Tried using Recovery Console from WinXP CD, ie. Boot from XP CD
> > >
> > > Refer
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307545
> > > How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP

> from

> > > Starting.
> > > (The procedure described in this article uses Recovery Console and

> System

> > > Restore)
> > >
> > > This worked until I got to the Admin password prompt. It then failed

> as

> > > there is a bug with Recovery Console and some machines where XP was

> OEM

> > > installed. So its not possible to run Recovery Console.
> > >
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;308402 -

> 'The

> > > Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to

> Recovery

> > > Console in WinXP
> > >
> > > 2. Repair from XP CD
> > >
> > > I next tried a repair from CD per MS KB article.
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;315341 - How

> to

> > > Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
> > >
> > > This started to work but then after installing drivers and adding CD

> Key

> > it

> > > restarted the PC (reading about 32 minutes remaining). It restarts

> the

> > > install from scratch again (......"restarting Setup.....")
> > >
> > > And It goes round and round in this loop. Probably due to the auto

> restart

> > > on device install failure or perhaps because of the corrupt

> registry.

> > >
> > > *******Current Status******
> > >
> > > Starting PC now restarts the WinXP install as it never finished last

> time,

> > > ie. it DOESNT go to a Win Startup Adv Start Up menu now.
> > >
> > > So I'm kind off half way into an install that wont complete. Its

> possible

> > to

> > > boot with XP CD and go to Recovery Console and/or XP Install. But

> neither

> > > work.
> > >
> > > I could do a new install maybe but this may not work either and

> may????

> > > result in me not being able to access user profiles and data that is
> > > ENCRYPTED using WinXP EFS - I do not have the key saved anywhere to

> disk

> > > etc.
> > >
> > > *******
> > > I am really desperate on what to do with this due ro my 8GB's of

> encrypted

> > > data, can anyone please help?
> > > *******
> > >
> > > I have contacted MS and the OEM and they are no help, expect to try

> a

> > > parallel install of Windows which will I'm sure will lose all my

> encrypted

> > > data, or at leas never allow me to access it again.
> > >
> > > I think I need an NTFS Dos type app so that I can follow a [semi]

> normal

> > > procedure for system restore per KB article on using the recovery

> console.

> > >
> > >
> > > *****Can anyone provide any light please:*******
> > >
> > > 1. What options do I have?
> > >
> > > 2. Can I save my data anyway? esp. given that its encrypted?
> > >
> > > 3. Is using some sort of NTFS DOS type app going to be enough for me

> to

> > > restore some standard registry setting settings to boot?
> > >
> > > 4 If I do this will it boot given that I am now half way through a

> new

> > > install that wont finish?
> > >
> > > 5. Is it possible to force the install to complete, disable the flag
> > > somewhere that is making it reboot?
> > >
> > > 6. Will the restore options,ie. converting back to an original

> registry

> > work

> > > given that I seem to be half way through an install? If I do this it

> may

> > not

> > > boot anyway?
> > >
> > > *******
> > >
> > > I'd really appreciate any help that people can give me, feel free to

> email

> > > group or myself direct. Im sure that others must have had this

> problem.

> > > Basically if it had not been for the MS BUG with Recovery Console

> and OEM

> > > version of XP I would have had it fixed in 30 minutes.
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Paul
> > >
> > > ps. For more on the repair options I have tried you can check out

> this

> > > excellent resource with screen shots:
> > > http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
> > >
> > > Also I think reinstalling will also cause some data loss according

> to:

> > > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312369 -You

> May

> > Lose

> > > Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading

> > Windows

> > > XP
> > >
> > >

> >
> >

>

> getting the files themselves and copying them to the appropriate location?

> Bill, thanks for the response, however as I am unable to boot the machine
> into anything resembling Windows I am therefore unable to apply a patch to
> resolve the Recovery Console password problem (KB 307545).
>

> >

> Basically I need to get a recovery console type thing happening so that I
> can restore registry files for the system to boot, assuming it can given
> that it has stopped half way through an install......Please see email

> regarding full extent of issue........
>
> Cheers
> Paul
>
> <<>>
> "Bill James" <wgjames@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:unkNTIcVDHA.2000@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> The KB article for password rejection using the Recovery Console gives
> information on how to obtain the hotfix by calling MS Support. As long as
> you have that specific problem and do not ask any other support questions
> during the call you will not be charged for the call.
>
> You might want to check your RAM with a good boot disk diagnostic checker
> such as Memtest86 - Memory Diagnostic Page: http://www.memtest86.com/.

> RAM could have caused the original problem and the problems with repair
> install.
>
> --
>
> Bill James
> Microsoft MVP·DTS
>
> Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
> Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/
>
> "Paul" <paulb@NOSPAMihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:bg5gse$q2f$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...

> > WinXP Pro Not Booting - Challenging Problem for Experts - Cant use

> Recovery

> > Console or Repair, Install Loops + Encrypted Data to retrive
> >
> > ******Issue******
> >
> > Laptop wouldnt boot due to a registry issue/corruption - Was able to go

> into

> > windows and login, but no shell (start menu, desktop, icons etc)
> >
> > Safe Mode, Last Know Good and all other users profiles didnt work

> > same issue as above.
> >
> > I do not have a ASR Boot Disk, but do have a System State backup on my
> > drive.
> >
> > *****Fixs Tried******
> >
> > 1. Recovery Console
> >
> > Tried using Recovery Console from WinXP CD, ie. Boot from XP CD
> >
> > Refer
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307545
> > How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from
> > Starting.
> > (The procedure described in this article uses Recovery Console and

> > Restore)
> >
> > This worked until I got to the Admin password prompt. It then failed as
> > there is a bug with Recovery Console and some machines where XP was OEM
> > installed. So its not possible to run Recovery Console.
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;308402 - 'The
> > Password Is Not Valid' Error Message Appears When You Log On to Recovery
> > Console in WinXP
> >
> > 2. Repair from XP CD
> >
> > I next tried a repair from CD per MS KB article.
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;315341 - How to
> > Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
> >
> > This started to work but then after installing drivers and adding CD Key

> it

> > restarted the PC (reading about 32 minutes remaining). It restarts the
> > install from scratch again (......"restarting Setup.....")
> >
> > And It goes round and round in this loop. Probably due to the auto

> > on device install failure or perhaps because of the corrupt registry.
> >
> > *******Current Status******
> >
> > Starting PC now restarts the WinXP install as it never finished last

> > ie. it DOESNT go to a Win Startup Adv Start Up menu now.
> >
> > So I'm kind off half way into an install that wont complete. Its

> to

> > boot with XP CD and go to Recovery Console and/or XP Install. But

> > work.
> >
> > I could do a new install maybe but this may not work either and may????
> > result in me not being able to access user profiles and data that is
> > ENCRYPTED using WinXP EFS - I do not have the key saved anywhere to disk
> > etc.
> >
> > *******
> > I am really desperate on what to do with this due ro my 8GB's of

> > data, can anyone please help?
> > *******
> >
> > I have contacted MS and the OEM and they are no help, expect to try a
> > parallel install of Windows which will I'm sure will lose all my

> > data, or at leas never allow me to access it again.
> >
> > I think I need an NTFS Dos type app so that I can follow a [semi] normal
> > procedure for system restore per KB article on using the recovery

> >
> >
> > *****Can anyone provide any light please:*******
> >
> > 1. What options do I have?
> >
> > 2. Can I save my data anyway? esp. given that its encrypted?
> >
> > 3. Is using some sort of NTFS DOS type app going to be enough for me to
> > restore some standard registry setting settings to boot?
> >
> > 4 If I do this will it boot given that I am now half way through a new
> > install that wont finish?
> >
> > 5. Is it possible to force the install to complete, disable the flag
> > somewhere that is making it reboot?
> >
> > 6. Will the restore options,ie. converting back to an original registry

> work

> > given that I seem to be half way through an install? If I do this it may

> not

> > boot anyway?
> >
> > *******
> >
> > I'd really appreciate any help that people can give me, feel free to

> > group or myself direct. Im sure that others must have had this problem.
> > Basically if it had not been for the MS BUG with Recovery Console and

> > version of XP I would have had it fixed in 30 minutes.
> >
> > Regards
> > Paul
> >
> > ps. For more on the repair options I have tried you can check out this
> > excellent resource with screen shots:
> > http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
> >
> > Also I think reinstalling will also cause some data loss according to:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312369 -You May

> Lose

> > Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading

> Windows

> > XP
> >
> >

>
>