OT: Any Bootup Help Input Appreciated

CClub wrote on 10/21/2008, 5:36 PM
I've tried everything else, and I didn't really want to bring a general "tech support" issue to the forum as I really don't want to bother anyone with my non-Vegas tech issues, but I figure it's worth a shot:

I tried installing a stupid program (to facilitate saving my iTunes purchases to mp3's) called "Original CD Emulator" from Download.com. It was supposed to create a pseudo CD drive on my system. Instead, I can't boot Windows XP. I tried using my Acronis True Image 11 (I had created a full backup of my hard drive in the Acronis Secure Zone), and it said it's successful, but then I still can't boot up Windows. I can get into Safe Mode, but that's as far as I can get.

Any ideas? My last resort is to start loading Windows XP and ALL the software, etc. from scratch, but that'll take me weeks. I have all my data backed up on other drives, it's just the work involved in redoing everything.

If someone has run into a similar problem and found a solution, I'm all ears.

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/21/2008, 6:49 PM
in xp when you go to safe mode it should ask if you want to do a restore point. what happens if you say yes?

do a boot log then check it in safe mode. That will tell you what is wrong. Don't forget in safe mode you can run anti virus, antispyware, uninstall software, etc.
Jim H wrote on 10/21/2008, 7:44 PM
My guess is you created and mounted a virtual CD and your bios is looking for it to boot from. If you go to BIOS and change your boot priority to NOT include the CD drive.

Just a wild haired guess... wouldn't hurt.
CClub wrote on 10/21/2008, 8:09 PM
Somehow, I think I repaired the problem. I had gone back to a prior restore point, and it hadn't worked, but I went a bit farther back and it worked. I think it did have something to do with creating a virtual CD and messing with the BIOS, or else something in the boot process. Crossing my fingers, creating new restore points/backup of full drive, etc. and hopefully can move forward. Thanks all.
MarkWWWW wrote on 10/22/2008, 5:51 AM
Now that your system is running again, you might like to know that Microsoft have a free virtual CD program that can be downloaded from here. It's not supported but it works very well (and it's free).

There doesn't seem to be any documentation for it on the Microsoft website these days but there's a nice page explaining how to install it and use it here.

Mark