Since I installed the latest MS patches 2 days back, the system (XP-SP2)
does not start. I manage to boot the system in safe mode, yet I fail to do it
in normal mode. The system hangs displaying the MS logo and 3 blue boxes
running forever. I tried going back to the previous working configuration, or
even a configuration of few days earlier, yet with the same level of success.
Any idea?

Uninstall the patches, create a restore point, then install them one by one
see which one is giving you trouble?

How do I do this? I tried using the restore point created by the patch
installation, and few others created beforehand with no success. Please let
me know how to manually remove these patches, and what should I do before
(backup, etc.) Thanks

"Javi0084":

> Uninstall the patches, create a restore point, then install them one by one
> see which one is giving you trouble?

Looking into the "add/remove software" I could not find these patches, as I
reverted back to the restore point before the installation. Even with this,
the system is hung in the midst of the boot.

"Shmulik":

> How do I do this? I tried using the restore point created by the patch
> installation, and few others created beforehand with no success. Please let
> me know how to manually remove these patches, and what should I do before
> (backup, etc.) Thanks
>
> "Javi0084":
>
> > Uninstall the patches, create a restore point, then install them one by one
> > see which one is giving you trouble?

On the "Add/Remove Programs" there should be a box that you can check/uncheck
if you want to "Show Updates", make sure that the box is check to show
updates.

Thanks. Done that, yet I do nt see the updates. Note that I restored to the
last restore point, which was before the installation of the last batch of
patches.

"Javi0084":

> On the "Add/Remove Programs" there should be a box that you can check/uncheck
> if you want to "Show Updates", make sure that the box is check to show
> updates.

On Fri, 14 Oct 2005 09:03:03 -0700, "Shmulik"

>Since I installed the latest MS patches 2 days back, the system (XP-SP2)
>does not start. I manage to boot the system in safe mode, yet I fail to do it
>in normal mode. The system hangs displaying the MS logo and 3 blue boxes
>running forever. I tried going back to the previous working configuration, or
>even a configuration of few days earlier, yet with the same level of success.

You have two ends of a large state chart:
- Safe Mode works
- Normal Mode fails

So you'd want to see what happens in between. Start by running
MSConfig from Safe Mode, and disable everything from the Startup tab
in there, as well as all non-Microsoft services. Now disconnect ALL
network connections (both to avoid those as source of failure, and to
avoid the risks from them while defences may be disabled) and retry.

If that works, then test-to-break by adding back MSConfig items one by
one. When you find what breaks, then Safe Mode to suppress it again.

If that does not work, then think in terms of hardware and drivers.
Unplug all peripherals, and use "disable in this profile" via Device
Manager to test-suppress any non-crucial devices.

If still no joy, then the sweats start. Try uninstalling patches, and
also consider doing a formal malware scan.

If OTOH you find the system still works after everything's re-enabled
in MSConfig, then the problem may be from the connections you
unplugged during these tests. Re-connect one by one until it breaks.



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I'm baaaack!
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