Repairing Windows XP - Part 3
Still can't get that computer to start? Here, Dave Cook shows you how to get up and running with the help of two recovery options: Safe Mode and System Restore
In part two we showed you how to start a faulty computer using the Last Known Good Configuration. It's quick to initiate, and automatically restores registry settings and drivers that were in use the last time the computer started successfully.
Unfortunately, the Last Known Good Configuration doesn't always fix the problem. In fact, in a relatively small number of cases it can actually add to them.
So assuming the Last Known Good Configuration doesn't sort your particular problem, what should you do next? The answer may be found in not one but two recovery features: Safe Mode and System Restore.
Safe Mode
Safe Mode has been a feature of the Microsoft operating system for a great many moons. Old fare it may be, but it can still play an important role in getting your computer back up and running.
If XP won't start normally, you may be able to load Windows by using one of three Safe Mode options available at startup.
- Safe Mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
If Windows hangs at startup, use the power switch or the reset button to restart the computer. You should see the Startup Recovery menu. If it doesn't appear, press F8 after the system finishes displaying startup messages from the BIOS (but before the Windows logo appears).
Unless you especially need networking capabilities, it's generally better to start the computer in Safe Mode only. This will start your operating system using basic files and drivers and should enable the mouse (unless it's a serial device), keyboard, storage, base video, and default system services.
System Restore
The Windows XP version of System Restore is a greatly improved version of the one found in Windows Me. System Restore is a bit like owning your very own time machine, because it can restore system and application settings back to a point in time you specify.
Thus, if you can start the computer in Safe Mode, you have a great chance of using System Restore to undo the configuration change that's causing your machine to hang.
How It Works
System Restore is similar to a commercial disk imaging program in that it's capable of taking snapshots of your system. It can do so automatically every 24 hours or so, when certain events occur, or when you choose to take a snapshot.
These snapshots are usually referred to as restore points. They can be restored on demand when something goes wrong and your computer hangs or fails to start.
The only limit to the number of restore points stored on a system is the amount of disk space available to hold them. For instance, up to 12 per cent of the overall disk space per drive can be reserved for restore points. Or up to 400MB on disks less than 4GB.
Restore points are scheduled to take place by default every 24 hours. Importantly, though, System Restore can also take snapshots in response to particular events, such as before you install a new application.
So if Windows XP fails to start after a critical change has been made to the system, you can often start the operating system in Safe Mode, and then fire up System Restore. You can access the feature in Safe Mode just as you would normally. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click System Restore.
Once started, you can follow the onscreen instructions and use the wizard to revert back to a time when the computer operated normally.
Next Please
Still can't get Windows to start? Then it may be time to try your luck with the Recovery Console - so look out for that in part four!
