I am running windows XP pro, and for some reason it will only boot up in safe mode. When I try to boot up in normal mode (even if I pick "Last Known Good Configuration" from the startup options menu), the windows splash screen comes up, runs through, and then all I get is a black screen. My monitor is working, but nothing comes up. Here's what happened:

I was messing around behind my comp the other night connectin my ethernet cable. I must've bumped a cable or something, because the blue LED light on my fan shut off for a split second and then came back on, and I heard my fan wind down and then start up again.

I thought, "Great, I just disconnected the power cable a very small bit and now my computer's restarting."

O looked at my monitor and it was in standby mode, as if it were restarting. I waited, and nothing came up. I restarted my computer via the power button, and nothing showed up on my screen, it looked like it was still in standby mode. I did this three more times, and then started getting worried that I fried my video card via a power spike or something (I have no onboard video, so I had hit a very significant possible problem).

Next, I turned off the power switch at the back of my case to shut off power to my system. I turned it back on after a second and restarted my machine. I saw my bios loading and all that good stuff, and then I saw the windows splash screen. Then I saw black.

I restarted *again* and this time booted up in safe mode. It started right up, no problem. This is where I stand - It works in safe mode, but I cannot for the life of me get it to boot up in normal mode.

I've looked on a number of forums, and I've looked at the windows XP recovery console. I've thought about trying fixboot and fixmbr, but I honestly don't know anything about these commands. Please tell me how I can fix this problem.

I've looked on a number of forums, and I've looked at the windows XP recovery console. I've thought about trying fixboot and fixmbr, but I honestly don't know anything about these commands. Please tell me how I can fix this problem.

i would use that one in the recovery console, just type

/FIXBOOT

also, type

/CHKDSK
this checks the disk and displays a report when finished

if all else fails, try a repair install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

hope this helps
Mike

Thanks, I tried what you suggested. Unfortunately, however, I still am having the same problem. Any additional help from anyone is GREATLY welcome.

So you can use Safe Mode Options?

Did you try a System Restore from Safe Mode Options?

Also:

Here is a more detailed attempt at what you already tried:

If you cannot boot into Windows I would suggest first trying the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307654

To try to fix the boot:

Assuming that your XP is on C: then:

Type:

FIXMBR C:

then enter. After that completes type:

FIXBOOT C:

then enter. After that completes type:

BOOTCFG /rebuild

then enter. After that completes type:

EXIT

then reboot.

If in the process you are asked to run chkdsk say YES.

Also after the BOOTCFG /rebuild you will be prompted to:

C:\Windows
1. Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
2. Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
3. Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)

Reply:
1. Yes
2. XP
3. /fastdetect



And again:

If this fails you can run a Repair Install that will leave your data intact:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

OK. First off, thanks for the second reply; I haven't tested it out yet (that's my next move). In the mean time, I decided to try something else out. I enabled boot logging in the startup options, then opened ntbtlog.txt to check it out.

MAJOR headache. Read my bootlog HERE

As far as I can tell, it's BAD (either that or I'm the only one who thinks that it's not good when the driver for your Intel Processor doesn't load).

Anyway, take a gander, tell me what you think.

Oh, and thanks for the system restore tip jephree, but I (like an idiot) disabled system restoere a long time ago because it "took up too much space"

You may commence with the laughing.

Safe Mode only loads drivers that are absolutely necessary. As that list is not very detailed I would assume that those Intel drivers are not absolutely necessary to run Safe Mode. This is assuming that Safe Mode is running OK.

No no no... that's my boot record for NORMAL mode. As far as I can tell, everything should load in normal mode.

And I tried what you suggested, with the FIXMBR and FIXBOOT and then BOOTCFT /rebuild. No dice. Thanks for all your help thus far, though.

When and where did you get that log if you cannot boot outside of Safe Mode?

Sorry for my confusion

You may need to reload your motherboard drivers but first off I would run a Repair Install of XP:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Ok, well, I tried a few things (fixboot, fixmbr, didn't work), including reinstalling my video card drivers. I completely uninstalled the ATI catalyst drivers and tried restarting my computer. Lo and behold, it started up just fine. I tried reinstalling them, and had the exact same problem I had before - no boot. So, I can only assume that I have a bad video card. Bummer.

And to answer your question jephree, I got the boot log from the bad boot when I booted up in safe mode immediately after. I'm not sure why it only gave me the boot log for the previous boot (and not the one I had just done), but I think it only generates a bootlog when you enable boot logging; it only makes one.

So you can boot without Graphics Drivers?

Perhaps try loading an older ATI driver.