Accessing system restore, XP won't boot

[humblejohn]

I installed sp2 and 11 patches to xp home. xp now will not boot; get as far as sign-in screen and then system freezes. Tried safe mode and last known working configuration options and all I get is a screen full of code. Is there any way I can access system restore under these conditions? Thanks

 

[brucethetech]

tell us a few words on the "screen full of code" it may help us diagnose whats going on. have you made any hardware changes recently. what kind of machine and what's inside of it?

 

[Ultiweap]

Normally that screen full of code may happen when loading safe mode and if it block this may be due a file is corrupted or missing. As brucethetech mentioned tell us on that.

 

[wilywombat]

Try this:-

(Assuming you have some restore points saved)

1. Get a copy of Hirens Boot Disk or ERD Commander and reboot using it.
2. Open a windows manager from the boot cd and go to c:\windows\system32\config
3. Rename the following: system to system.bak, software to sotware.bak, default to default.bak, SAM to SAM.bak and SECURITY to SECURITY.bak.
4. Navigate to c:\System Volume Information\_Restore.
5. There you will see your restore points.
6 Pick a restore point from before you installed sp2 (probably a few back as you have installed patches as well)
7. Select and opt to"copy" the following files:- system, software, default, SAM, SECURITY.
8. Navigate to c:\windows\system32\config and paste the files there.
9. Reboot the system from the c drive (not forgetting to take out the boot CD.
10 Jobs done go for a coffee (or beer)
11 Remember that you now no longer have SP2 fitted !!

ps. As soon as it boots up Ok...Save a new restore point! !!