XP Start up problem

[Ron O'Neill]

My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife, grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.

Any suggestions.

Ta. Ron

[Robert Burns]

Ron,

It sounds like you need to reinstall XP I would hazard a guess that either a
needed file as been deleted or a virus as managed to kill the system but I
am no expert on the start-up sequence of XP

Rob
"Ron O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,
grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their
particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.

Any suggestions.

Ta. Ron

[Robert Heiling]

Ron O'Neill wrote:

My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife, grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect icons to
appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does clicking on
Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs? does it
show My Computer?

Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.

The computer's bios really plays no role in this. Who is the person who set up
those 4 users? and where is he/she? You need to talk to them as they would have
been the one to set up those 4 accounts when logged in as Administrator.

Any suggestions.

Talk to that person.

Bob

[john]

Robert Heiling wrote:

Ron O'Neill wrote:


My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife, grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.


"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect icons to
appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does clicking on
Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs? does it
show My Computer?


Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.


The computer's bios really plays no role in this. Who is the person who set up
those 4 users? and where is he/she? You need to talk to them as they would have
been the one to set up those 4 accounts when logged in as Administrator.


Any suggestions.


Talk to that person.

Bob

Although I'm don't think it would occur for all users, it is possible
the bar the task bar has been set to auto-hide. Is there a white bar at
the bottom of the screen. Move the cursor down at the Start bar may
appear. If that works, right click on the task bar and uncheck Auto-hide

Another possibility is the task bar could have been dragged down and
minimised. Again, putting the cursor on it and dragging it up should
show the Start bar.

[john]

john wrote:

Robert Heiling wrote:

Ron O'Neill wrote:


My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,
grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their
particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.



"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect
icons to
appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does
clicking on
Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs?
does it
show My Computer?


Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.



The computer's bios really plays no role in this. Who is the person
who set up
those 4 users? and where is he/she? You need to talk to them as they
would have
been the one to set up those 4 accounts when logged in as Administrator.


Any suggestions.



Talk to that person.

Bob



Although I'm don't think it would occur for all users, it is possible
the bar the task bar has been set to auto-hide. Is there a white bar at
the bottom of the screen. Move the cursor down at the Start bar may
appear. If that works, right click on the task bar and uncheck Auto-hide

Another possibility is the task bar could have been dragged down and
minimised. Again, putting the cursor on it and dragging it up should
show the Start bar.

Sorry - that should have been "If that works, right click on the task
bar +select Properties+ and uncheck Auto-hide."

If you know the XP was working OK at an earlier date it might be easier
to do a System Restore to that earlier date. Start | All Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.

[Ron O'Neill]

"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:

My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,
grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their
particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect icons
to
appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does
clicking on
Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs? does
it
show My Computer?

I should have said wallpaper, that's what showing up and it completely fills
the screen, nothing else can be seen, no icons, start button etc. The mouse
cursor is there and moves okay but there's nothing to click on.

Ron

[Ron O'Neill]

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Robert Heiling wrote:
Ron O'Neill wrote:

Although I'm don't think it would occur for all users, it is possible
the bar the task bar has been set to auto-hide. Is there a white bar at
the bottom of the screen. Move the cursor down at the Start bar may
appear. If that works, right click on the task bar and uncheck Auto-hide

Another possibility is the task bar could have been dragged down and
minimised. Again, putting the cursor on it and dragging it up should
show the Start bar.

It's not that.

Ron

[Ron O'Neill]

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

If you know the XP was working OK at an earlier date it might be easier
to do a System Restore to that earlier date. Start | All Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.

Here lies the problem, the screen is full of wallpaper, there is nothing
else showing on screen, no icons, start button, nothing. The mouse cursor is
there but there's nothing to click on.

Ron

[john]

Ron O'Neill wrote:

"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:


My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,

grandson,

granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their

particular

screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect icons

to

appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does

clicking on

Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs? does

it

show My Computer?



I should have said wallpaper, that's what showing up and it completely fills
the screen, nothing else can be seen, no icons, start button etc. The mouse
cursor is there and moves okay but there's nothing to click on.

Ron

What happens if you right click anywhere on the wallpaper? Do you get a
menu where you can select Properties? If so, go to themes and change it
to Windows XP or Windows Classic.

[john]

Ron O'Neill wrote:

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

If you know the XP was working OK at an earlier date it might be easier
to do a System Restore to that earlier date. Start | All Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.


Here lies the problem, the screen is full of wallpaper, there is nothing
else showing on screen, no icons, start button, nothing. The mouse cursor is
there but there's nothing to click on.

Ron

Reboot the PC (I assume you are using the power button) and press F8 as

it boots.
This will give you a menu where you could either select
"Start using last good configuration that worked" (but that only really
recovers from a bad device driver install which is probably not your
problem) or you could select
"Start in Safe Mode"
You might then be able to remove the offending wallpaper (right click on
the Desktop/Wallpaper, etc.), change other settings, or do a Restore to
an earlier date as mentioned earlier.

From the XP Help:
To start the computer in safe mode
You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and
then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes

In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with
Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and
the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can
choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the
same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the
graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good
Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information
that was saved at the last shutdown.
Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.
There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.

[Ron O'Neill]

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:
"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:


My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,

grandson,

granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their

particular

screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

"screen saver"? Do you possibly mean their "Desktop"? and you expect
icons

to

appear there for the various programs that have been installed? Does

clicking on

Start and then on the green arrow for All Programs show any programs?
does

it

show My Computer?



I should have said wallpaper, that's what showing up and it completely
fills
the screen, nothing else can be seen, no icons, start button etc. The
mouse
cursor is there and moves okay but there's nothing to click on.

Ron



What happens if you right click anywhere on the wallpaper? Do you get a
menu where you can select Properties? If so, go to themes and change it
to Windows XP or Windows Classic.

No nothing happens when right clicking..

Ron

[Ron O'Neill]

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:
"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

If you know the XP was working OK at an earlier date it might be easier
to do a System Restore to that earlier date. Start | All Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.


Here lies the problem, the screen is full of wallpaper, there is nothing
else showing on screen, no icons, start button, nothing. The mouse
cursor is
there but there's nothing to click on.

Ron

Reboot the PC (I assume you are using the power button) and press F8 as
it boots.
This will give you a menu where you could either select
"Start using last good configuration that worked" (but that only really
recovers from a bad device driver install which is probably not your
problem)

That didn't work.



or you could select

"Start in Safe Mode"
You might then be able to remove the offending wallpaper (right click on
the Desktop/Wallpaper, etc.), change other settings, or do a Restore to
an earlier date as mentioned earlier.

I'll try this and the suggestion below later when I can access the system,
nobody in ATM.

Many thanks
Ron

From the XP Help:
To start the computer in safe mode
You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and
then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes

In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with
Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and
the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can
choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the
same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the
graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good
Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information
that was saved at the last shutdown.
Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.
There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.

[Dave Mayall]

"Ron O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

My sons XP computer has a start up problem.

When starting up you have 4 different users to opt for, son, wife,
grandson,
granddaughter, it doesn't matter which one you choose only their
particular
screen saver will load, nothing else at all shows on screen.

Not knowing a lot about XP I went in to the bios and loaded the
default settings, this made no difference. Can't access anything at all.

Any suggestions.

Sounds like Explorer isn't starting.

Try this;

1) press ctrl-alt-delete
2) select task manager
3) click on "new task"
4) type explorer and click OK

Does the desktop return?

[Ron O'Neill]

"Dave Mayall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Ron O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


Try this;

1) press ctrl-alt-delete
2) select task manager
3) click on "new task"
4) type explorer and click OK

Does the desktop return?

No

Ron

[Ron O'Neill]

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:
"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron

Reboot the PC (I assume you are using the power button) and press F8 as
it boots.
This will give you a menu where you could either select
"Start using last good configuration that worked" (but that only really
recovers from a bad device driver install which is probably not your
problem) or you could select
"Start in Safe Mode"
You might then be able to remove the offending wallpaper (right click on
the Desktop/Wallpaper, etc.), change other settings, or do a Restore to
an earlier date as mentioned earlier.

From the XP Help:
To start the computer in safe mode
You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and
then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with
Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and
the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can
choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the
same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the
graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good
Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information
that was saved at the last shutdown.
Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.
There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.

When trying to log on all that can be seen is wallpaper, nothing else what
so ever. I've tried all of your suggestion above John and nothing worked. I
have tried all the other options mentioned by the various listers and none
of them work. When Safe Mode is selected all I get is a complete black
screen with Safe Mode in white text in each corner, nothing else what so
ever on screen.

Thanks
Ron

[Andrew W Applegarth]

"Ron O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in news:L9xEd.7643$GG1.1573
@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk:

"Dave Mayall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Ron O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


Try this;

1) press ctrl-alt-delete
2) select task manager
3) click on "new task"
4) type explorer and click OK

Does the desktop return?

No

Ron

Ron,

Have you tried using the Windows Start button on your keyboard (or
Ctrl-Esc if you have an older keyboard without the Windows keys)? This
should pull it up, if the taskbar is running, but not positioned on the
screen.

When you do Ctrl-Alt-Del do you get the task manager? If so, what is
listed under Applications and under Processes? If you do "new task" and
type in 'cmd.exe', do you get a DOS window?

You should also be able to get into the display properties by doing a
"new task" and entering 'desk.cpl'. I would suggest setting the desktop
wallpaper and screensaver both to none.

- Andrew W Applegarth

[Robert Heiling]

Ron O'Neill wrote:

"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Ron O'Neill wrote:
"john" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron

Reboot the PC (I assume you are using the power button) and press F8 as
it boots.
This will give you a menu where you could either select
"Start using last good configuration that worked" (but that only really
recovers from a bad device driver install which is probably not your
problem) or you could select
"Start in Safe Mode"
You might then be able to remove the offending wallpaper (right click on
the Desktop/Wallpaper, etc.), change other settings, or do a Restore to
an earlier date as mentioned earlier.

From the XP Help:
To start the computer in safe mode
You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and
then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with
Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and
the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can
choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the
same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the
graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good
Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information
that was saved at the last shutdown.
Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.
There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.

When trying to log on all that can be seen is wallpaper, nothing else what
so ever. I've tried all of your suggestion above John and nothing worked. I
have tried all the other options mentioned by the various listers and none
of them work. When Safe Mode is selected all I get is a complete black
screen with Safe Mode in white text in each corner, nothing else what so
ever on screen.

Thanks
Ron

There is a possible cause for the situation and that's one reason I originally
asked regarding who was doing the user administration for that computer. I
clearly have no way of being certain, so this is only speculation, but since you
said it is your son's computer I suppose that he is the administrator. I've
heard no mention of him and why he isn't working on this problem also.
Therefore, I wonder if he isn't away somewhere and didn't himself cause this.
It's easy enough to have a hidden user account that doesn't appear on the
welcome screen and which could be used to get back in and reverse the situation.
Then the person could disable all of the other accounts through various means.
Is that a possibility?

Bob

[Ron O'Neill]

"Andrew W Applegarth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron,

Have you tried using the Windows Start button on your keyboard (or
Ctrl-Esc if you have an older keyboard without the Windows keys)? This
should pull it up, if the taskbar is running, but not positioned on the
screen.

It don't

When you do Ctrl-Alt-Del do you get the task manager? If so, what is
listed under Applications and under Processes?

Loads of stuff including Explorer

If you do "new task" and

type in 'cmd.exe', do you get a DOS window?

Yes, it's showing c:/My Documents

You should also be able to get into the display properties by doing a
"new task" and entering 'desk.cpl'. I would suggest setting the desktop
wallpaper and screensaver both to none.

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled screen saver

and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Ron

[Ron O'Neill]

"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Ron O'Neill wrote:
There is a possible cause for the situation and that's one reason I
originally
asked regarding who was doing the user administration for that computer. I
clearly have no way of being certain, so this is only speculation, but
since you
said it is your son's computer I suppose that he is the administrator.
I've
heard no mention of him and why he isn't working on this problem also.
Therefore, I wonder if he isn't away somewhere and didn't himself cause
this.
It's easy enough to have a hidden user account that doesn't appear on the
welcome screen and which could be used to get back in and reverse the
situation.
Then the person could disable all of the other accounts through various
means.
Is that a possibility?
Bob

Thanks Bob, bit I very much doubt it, my son works away from home for 1 - 5

days at a time, he knows even less than me about XP or computers and does
not use it a lot, it's mainly my grand children that use the PC.

Regards
Ron

[Dennis Lee Bieber]

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
<[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled screen saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses

expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).

--

==============================================================
[email protected] | Wulfraed Dennis Lee Bieber KD6MOG
[email protected] | Bestiaria Support Staff
==============================================================
Home Page: <http://www.dm.net/~wulfraed/
Overflow Page: <http://wlfraed.home.netcom.com/

[Del Ferguson]

"Dennis Lee Bieber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled screen
saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no
icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses
expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).

Ron,

In some of the earlier posts it was mentioned that you could get into the
command mode. Change your directory to c:\ and then run "sfc /scannow"
(without the quotes) at the DOS prompt. You will need the original Windows
XP CD. All this does is check for missing or corrupted system files, but it
is worth a shot. Most of the Google searches for your problem suggest a
"repair" reinstallation of Windows; however, I would assume that would be a
last resort for you--even though I've done it many times, it isn't something
to take lightly.

Del Ferguson

[Robert Burns]

sfc doesn't work on XP however chkdsk/f does

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Dennis Lee Bieber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled screen
saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no
icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses
expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).


Ron,

In some of the earlier posts it was mentioned that you could get into the
command mode. Change your directory to c:\ and then run "sfc /scannow"
(without the quotes) at the DOS prompt. You will need the original
Windows
XP CD. All this does is check for missing or corrupted system files, but
it
is worth a shot. Most of the Google searches for your problem suggest a
"repair" reinstallation of Windows; however, I would assume that would be
a
last resort for you--even though I've done it many times, it isn't
something
to take lightly.

Del Ferguson

[Del Ferguson]

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

sfc doesn't work on XP however chkdsk/f does

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Dennis Lee Bieber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled screen
saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no
icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses
expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).


Ron,

In some of the earlier posts it was mentioned that you could get into the
command mode. Change your directory to c:\ and then run "sfc /scannow"
(without the quotes) at the DOS prompt. You will need the original
Windows
XP CD. All this does is check for missing or corrupted system files, but
it
is worth a shot. Most of the Google searches for your problem suggest a
"repair" reinstallation of Windows; however, I would assume that would be
a
last resort for you--even though I've done it many times, it isn't
something
to take lightly.

Del Ferguson

Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands) several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. Do you mean that it doesn't solve
anything or doesn't run? Also, I would hope that using antivirus software
was a given, but it may not be for some people. AVG_Free is a very good
choice for free antivirus protection. I've used it for quite a long time.

Del Ferguson

[Robert Burns]

Del,

Care to come fix my XP pro then that doesn't allow SFC/scannow saying no
files can be found. I have to use chkdsk /f and then select yes when it
tells me it can't lock down the drive. I do wonder if you initially
upgraded from Win98 or ME which did have this file and if so then yes you
can still use it because it remains in the System folder. If you have a
clean install of XP Pro I can guarantee this doesn't work unless of course
its been added in the XP 2 upgrade which I haven't as yet managed to get to
install on my pc. Something to do with the fact that the OEM product code I
received when I got this pc is now seen as a hacked code and MS will do zip
about it having wrote on numerous occasions

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
sfc doesn't work on XP however chkdsk/f does

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Dennis Lee Bieber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled
screen
saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen, no
icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses
expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).


Ron,

In some of the earlier posts it was mentioned that you could get into
the
command mode. Change your directory to c:\ and then run "sfc /scannow"
(without the quotes) at the DOS prompt. You will need the original
Windows
XP CD. All this does is check for missing or corrupted system files,
but
it
is worth a shot. Most of the Google searches for your problem suggest
a
"repair" reinstallation of Windows; however, I would assume that would
be
a
last resort for you--even though I've done it many times, it isn't
something
to take lightly.

Del Ferguson





Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands) several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. Do you mean that it doesn't solve
anything or doesn't run? Also, I would hope that using antivirus
software
was a given, but it may not be for some people. AVG_Free is a very good
choice for free antivirus protection. I've used it for quite a long time.

Del Ferguson

[Del Ferguson]

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Del,

Care to come fix my XP pro then that doesn't allow SFC/scannow saying no
files can be found. I have to use chkdsk /f and then select yes when it
tells me it can't lock down the drive. I do wonder if you initially
upgraded from Win98 or ME which did have this file and if so then yes you
can still use it because it remains in the System folder. If you have a
clean install of XP Pro I can guarantee this doesn't work unless of course
its been added in the XP 2 upgrade which I haven't as yet managed to get
to
install on my pc. Something to do with the fact that the OEM product code
I
received when I got this pc is now seen as a hacked code and MS will do
zip
about it having wrote on numerous occasions

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
sfc doesn't work on XP however chkdsk/f does

Rob
"Del Ferguson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

"Dennis Lee Bieber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:20:21 GMT, "Ron O'Neill"
[email protected]> declaimed the following in
soc.genealogy.computing:

Doing this I can get into Display Properties and I've disabled
screen
saver
and wallpaper now all that I get now is a completely blue screen,
no
icons
no nothing.

Thanks, could do with some more suggestions.

Check display properties for display size, and maybe if it uses
expanded screens (I had at least one driver that could format a 4X
display that supposedly scrolled).

Turn off any hardware accelerations on the video card.

Try booting with the admin account and/or safe mode (the latter
should be 640x480 VGA 16-color).


Ron,

In some of the earlier posts it was mentioned that you could get into
the
command mode. Change your directory to c:\ and then run "sfc
/scannow"
(without the quotes) at the DOS prompt. You will need the original
Windows
XP CD. All this does is check for missing or corrupted system files,
but
it
is worth a shot. Most of the Google searches for your problem suggest
a
"repair" reinstallation of Windows; however, I would assume that would
be
a
last resort for you--even though I've done it many times, it isn't
something
to take lightly.

Del Ferguson





Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands)
several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. Do you mean that it doesn't solve
anything or doesn't run? Also, I would hope that using antivirus
software
was a given, but it may not be for some people. AVG_Free is a very good
choice for free antivirus protection. I've used it for quite a long
time.

Del Ferguson

Robert,

Sorry, but I don't know anything about XP Pro. The Knowledge Base doesn't
seem to differentiate between Home and Pro in discussions about sfc.exe, so
I couldn't really tell you if it stayed on my machine through all of the
gyrations I've put it through or not. It could be that your version of the
file is gone for some reason. I can only suggest that you go to the
Knowledge Base and search on "sfc." I've been up and down from Windows 95
through Windows Home XPSP2 so many times--some clean and some updates--that
I don't really know anymore. The only way I could learn anything about
Windows is to break it--and that is easy to do. Over the years I've
downloaded almost everything free that Microsoft has put on the download
page (I tinker with this beast a lot), so it might have been restored in one
of them. It works for me and doesn't for you. No big deal. Ron had his
problem solved in another direction and that is great. By the way, OEM
software can be certified with other methods if the Microsoft Genuine
program thinks it is phony. Play with it and click on the "other links." I
had to do that with my Sister-In-Law's Dell. Now, back to Genealogy.

Del Ferguson

[Robert Heiling]

Del Ferguson wrote:

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Del,

Care to come fix my XP pro then that doesn't allow SFC/scannow saying no
files can be found. I have to use chkdsk /f and then select yes when it
tells me it can't lock down the drive. I do wonder if you initially
upgraded from Win98 or ME which did have this file and if so then yes you
can still use it because it remains in the System folder. If you have a
clean install of XP Pro I can guarantee this doesn't work unless of course
its been added in the XP 2 upgrade which I haven't as yet managed to get
to
install on my pc. Something to do with the fact that the OEM product code
I
received when I got this pc is now seen as a hacked code and MS will do
zip
about it having wrote on numerous occasions

Rob
SNIP
Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands)
several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. <SNIP

Del Ferguson

Robert,

Sorry, but I don't know anything about XP Pro. The Knowledge Base doesn't
seem to differentiate between Home and Pro in discussions about sfc.exe, so
I couldn't really tell you if it stayed on my machine through all of the
gyrations I've put it through or not. It could be that your version of the
file is gone for some reason. I can only suggest that you go to the
Knowledge Base and search on "sfc." I've been up and down from Windows 95
through Windows Home XPSP2 so many times--some clean and some updates--that
I don't really know anymore. The only way I could learn anything about
Windows is to break it--and that is easy to do. Over the years I've
downloaded almost everything free that Microsoft has put on the download
page (I tinker with this beast a lot), so it might have been restored in one
of them. It works for me and doesn't for you. No big deal. Ron had his
problem solved in another direction and that is great. By the way, OEM
software can be certified with other methods if the Microsoft Genuine
program thinks it is phony. Play with it and click on the "other links." I
had to do that with my Sister-In-Law's Dell. Now, back to Genealogy.

Del Ferguson

FWIW, there is an sfc.exe dated 4/2/2004 8:54am version 5.1.2600.0 and
other associated sfc.* files sitting in C:\WINDOWS\system32 of this PC.
It was purchased only 3 weeks ago and came with XP Home pre-installed,
so there is no question about it being inherited from an older
installation. I did immediately get all updates including SP2, so can't
make a distinction there.

HTH
Bob

[Robert Burns]

I just checked my mums laptop which came programmed with XP home and no SFC
there neither. I am going to look into this further. Many thx for all your
comments

rob
"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Del Ferguson wrote:

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Del,

Care to come fix my XP pro then that doesn't allow SFC/scannow saying
no
files can be found. I have to use chkdsk /f and then select yes when
it
tells me it can't lock down the drive. I do wonder if you initially
upgraded from Win98 or ME which did have this file and if so then yes
you
can still use it because it remains in the System folder. If you have
a
clean install of XP Pro I can guarantee this doesn't work unless of
course
its been added in the XP 2 upgrade which I haven't as yet managed to
get
to
install on my pc. Something to do with the fact that the OEM product
code
I
received when I got this pc is now seen as a hacked code and MS will
do
zip
about it having wrote on numerous occasions

Rob
SNIP
Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base
will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands)
several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. <SNIP

Del Ferguson

Robert,

Sorry, but I don't know anything about XP Pro. The Knowledge Base
doesn't
seem to differentiate between Home and Pro in discussions about sfc.exe,
so
I couldn't really tell you if it stayed on my machine through all of the
gyrations I've put it through or not. It could be that your version of
the
file is gone for some reason. I can only suggest that you go to the
Knowledge Base and search on "sfc." I've been up and down from Windows
95
through Windows Home XPSP2 so many times--some clean and some
updates--that
I don't really know anymore. The only way I could learn anything about
Windows is to break it--and that is easy to do. Over the years I've
downloaded almost everything free that Microsoft has put on the download
page (I tinker with this beast a lot), so it might have been restored in
one
of them. It works for me and doesn't for you. No big deal. Ron had
his
problem solved in another direction and that is great. By the way, OEM
software can be certified with other methods if the Microsoft Genuine
program thinks it is phony. Play with it and click on the "other
links." I
had to do that with my Sister-In-Law's Dell. Now, back to Genealogy.

Del Ferguson

FWIW, there is an sfc.exe dated 4/2/2004 8:54am version 5.1.2600.0 and
other associated sfc.* files sitting in C:\WINDOWS\system32 of this PC.
It was purchased only 3 weeks ago and came with XP Home pre-installed,
so there is no question about it being inherited from an older
installation. I did immediately get all updates including SP2, so can't
make a distinction there.

HTH
Bob

[Robert Burns]

Oh dear I have to eat humble pie. It is located in system32 not windows
hence why run sfc/scannow doesnt work one needs to put
c:windows/system32/sfc/scannow so I appologise to all

Rob
"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

I just checked my mums laptop which came programmed with XP home and no
SFC
there neither. I am going to look into this further. Many thx for all
your
comments

rob
"Robert Heiling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Del Ferguson wrote:

"Robert Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Del,

Care to come fix my XP pro then that doesn't allow SFC/scannow
saying
no
files can be found. I have to use chkdsk /f and then select yes
when
it
tells me it can't lock down the drive. I do wonder if you initially
upgraded from Win98 or ME which did have this file and if so then
yes
you
can still use it because it remains in the System folder. If you
have
a
clean install of XP Pro I can guarantee this doesn't work unless of
course
its been added in the XP 2 upgrade which I haven't as yet managed to
get
to
install on my pc. Something to do with the fact that the OEM product
code
I
received when I got this pc is now seen as a hacked code and MS will
do
zip
about it having wrote on numerous occasions

Rob
SNIP
Rob,

I won't argue the point, but I believe the Microsoft Knowledge Base
will
back me up. I've used sfc /scannow (there are other sfc commands)
several
times on my Windows XP SP1 and SP2. <SNIP

Del Ferguson

Robert,

Sorry, but I don't know anything about XP Pro. The Knowledge Base
doesn't
seem to differentiate between Home and Pro in discussions about
sfc.exe,
so
I couldn't really tell you if it stayed on my machine through all of
the
gyrations I've put it through or not. It could be that your version
of
the
file is gone for some reason. I can only suggest that you go to the
Knowledge Base and search on "sfc." I've been up and down from
Windows
95
through Windows Home XPSP2 so many times--some clean and some
updates--that
I don't really know anymore. The only way I could learn anything
about
Windows is to break it--and that is easy to do. Over the years I've
downloaded almost everything free that Microsoft has put on the
download
page (I tinker with this beast a lot), so it might have been restored
in
one
of them. It works for me and doesn't for you. No big deal. Ron had
his
problem solved in another direction and that is great. By the way,
OEM
software can be certified with other methods if the Microsoft Genuine
program thinks it is phony. Play with it and click on the "other
links." I
had to do that with my Sister-In-Law's Dell. Now, back to Genealogy.

Del Ferguson

FWIW, there is an sfc.exe dated 4/2/2004 8:54am version 5.1.2600.0 and
other associated sfc.* files sitting in C:\WINDOWS\system32 of this PC.
It was purchased only 3 weeks ago and came with XP Home pre-installed,
so there is no question about it being inherited from an older
installation. I did immediately get all updates including SP2, so can't
make a distinction there.

HTH
Bob

[Robyn]

The problem is not with the windows installation, user profiles have
been set for various logons but no rights have been given to the users.
Whoever set them will have also set an administrator login, you need to
find out who set the user profiles up. How old is your grandson?