Since a few hours back when I have tried to reboot my computer it has stayed stuck at the booting screen, the one that says 'Windows XP' and has the loading bar at the bottom. I have left it sitting for more than 2 hours at one point and it was still at that screen.

 

 

 

Microsoft Windows XP

 

Home Edition

 

Version 2002

 

Service Pack 2

 

 

 

The computer WILL start up in safe mode, but system restores do nothing. I have tried different restore dates multiple times. The only thing that I can think of that may have contributed to this is right before it stopped working I downloaded a Windows Security Update, accepted the forced restart, and it hasn't been working since.

 

 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need more information please ask. Thanks.

The best thing would be to undo that update I think since it seems that's what caused it, but where are they stored, I don't know.

The best thing would be to undo that update I think since it seems that's what caused it, but where are they stored, I don't know.

 

 

 

That's the difficulty that I'm having, I can't find where the updates are put.

 

 

 

I did run an AVG, Ad-Aware SE, and Spybot - Search & Destroy scan in safe mode to cover all my bases... What else can I do if by chance it isn't the security update? I'm not sure that my computer ever came with Windows discs so I can't exactly repair it or reformat it or whatnot.

That's the difficulty that I'm having, I can't find where the updates are put.

 

You should be able to find the security updates in the Control Panels 'Add/Remove Programs' section. Check the box at the top that says 'show all programs' or 'show updates' (Its 2am and I can't remember exactly) and you should be able to find all the updates and hotfixes listed along with the other programs.

 

 

 

You should then be able to uninstall whatever updates were installed on that day and work from there installing them one by one to see which one broke the machine and if it was just a bad install.

 

 

 

(This is assuming you are running XP. I have no Vista experience)

The best thing would be to undo that update I think since it seems that's what caused it, but where are they stored, I don't know.

 

 

 

That's the difficulty that I'm having, I can't find where the updates are put.

 

 

 

I did run an AVG, Ad-Aware SE, and Spybot - Search & Destroy scan in safe mode to cover all my bases... What else can I do if by chance it isn't the security update? I'm not sure that my computer ever came with Windows discs so I can't exactly repair it or reformat it or whatnot.

 

 

 

First off try what Cruiser said as he's correct in how to display the updates. Secondly, if your PC came with Windows then you own the licence for that Windows copy (providing it's legal, but if it was pre-installed that's the vendor's problem not yours), and I'm pretty sure you hve a legal right to have an install or recovery disc. I would see whoever sold you the PC and push them a bit for one even if you don't use it.

If the computer starts in safe mode try to run a checkdisk on it.

 

Go to "My computer", right click the hard disk, select "Properties", "Tools" and then press "Check now", be sure to tick the box that says "repair errors" or something.

 

 

 

If that doesnt work try to select "Last known config"...while the computer is booting...press F8 several times until theres a menu, and then select that option.

 

 

 

Tell something if you need something else.