Error handling when installing new hardware or software in XP

After installing a new hardware or software device, Windows XP continuously restarts, or more error messages are displayed on the blue screen.

This article was written to guide basic knowledge for beginners or have been acquainted for some time but have not had much experience with computers. Following each step below will help you understand and manipulate easily.

Symptoms of the problem

After installing new hardware or software on a Windows XP-based computer, you will see one of the following signs:

• The machine is constantly restarting.

• You receive a blue screen name error message.

Steps to solve the problem

Step 1: Disconnect all new hardware devices

If you have just installed a new hardware device, disconnect it from the system, then restart the computer. If the computer returns to normal, contact the device provider to obtain the appropriate update driver.

Step 2: Start Windows XP in safe mode

a. Restart the computer. Press F8 button repeatedly if the screen is blank.

b. Click Safe Mode , then press ENTER.

c. If you are prompted to select a Windows version, select the appropriate version and press ENTER.

Step 3: Use Rollback Driver function (Device driver recovery)

a. Start Device Manager. To do this, go to Start , select Run , type devmgmt.msc , then press OK .

b. Double-click the device you want to restore the driver.

c. Click the Driver tab, then click Roll back Driver .

Step 4: Determine whether the third-party program is the cause of the problem

Note : If you disconnect all Microsoft services, then restart the computer, the System Restore utility will also stop working and you will lose all existing system restore points. Therefore, there is no need to disconnect all these services when using the Msconfig utility when troubleshooting connection problems.

a. Go to Start > Run > type msconfig > OK .

b. Select the General tab> Selective Starup > remove all check marks on the cells, except the Load System Services .

c. Click the Services tab> Hide all Microsoft Services .

d. Press OK and restart the computer.

If Windows XP starts normally, continue with step 5, if it does not boot, go to step 6.

Step 5: Identify programs or utilities that cause conflicts

a. Go to Start > Run > type msconfig > OK .

b. Click the Startup tab.

The number of program and utility objects to be considered often constitutes a list. You should identify the cause of the conflict by the exclusion method:

1. Select about half of the object on the list, click OK.

2. Restart the computer.

Note : If Windows XP does not start, restart it in Safe Mode.

3. Continue the exclusion process until a conflicting program is identified.

c. Once discovered, you should remove the program if you don't use it, or reconfigure some options to make it not at the same time as the operating system.

Note : You may need to contact the manufacturer and provide software for more configuration information.

Step 6: Determine whether a third-party service is the cause of the problem

a. Go to Start > Run > type msconfig command> OK .

b. Click the Services tab> disable all services> OK .

c. Restart the computer.

If Windows XP starts normally, proceed to step 7. If it fails to restart, go to step 8.

Step 7: Determine the service that conflicts

a. Go to Start > Run > type msconfig command> OK .

b. Click the Services tab.

c. Allow half of the services in the activity list> click OK .

d. Restart the computer in normal mode (normal mode).

Note : If Windows XP does not start, restart the computer in Safe Mode.

e. Continue the process until the service is identified as the cause of the problem. You should remove or disable this service.

Note : You may need to contact the program developer for more information on how to perform disconnection or discontinue use.

Step 8: Start the computer with the Last Known Good Configuration function

a. Start the computer.

b. When you see the ' Please select the operating system to start ' message (select the operating system to boot), press the F8 button.

c. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, use the up and down keys to select the Last Known Good Configuration option (select the most recent settings that worked) (select the best and most recent configuration), and then press ENTER.

d. If your computer has multiple operating systems installed, use the up and down keys to select Microsoft Windows XP , and then press ENTER.

Note :

• When using the Last Known Good Configuration function, you can restore the system when you have configuration problems such as the most recently installed drivers that may not be suitable for your computer's hardware device. But this function does not solve the problem caused by a lack of drivers, missing files or drivers, damaged files.

• Last Known Good Configuration uses the information recorded after your last shutdown. This information is used to restore registry settings and drivers. Therefore, you can only use this component if it successfully boots before recovering the device.

• After restarting the computer using Last Known Good Configuration, the changes made at the last startup will be lost.

Step 9: Repair Windows XP

a. Turn off all antivirus programs and BIOS level protection. For more help, see the software guide or the online Help section.

b. Set the first preferred boot device to be the CD drive or DVD drive in the BIOS.

c. Insert the Windows XP installation disc into the CD or DVD drive, and then restart the computer.

d. When the command prompt ' Press any key to boot from CD ' appears, press a key to start the computer from the Windows XP disc.

e. When the computer boots from the CD-ROM, the hardware is checked, then you are prompted to select the option. Press ENTER.

f. Press F8 to accept the controls in the Licensing Agreement.

g. The list of current Windows XP installation programs is given. You are then prompted to select an option. Press R to start the auto repair program. After Windows XP is fixed, you may need to reactivate Windows XP if you change some hardware devices.

Step 10: Use the System Restore function

Method 1: If Windows XP does not start normally

a. Restart the computer, then press F8 repeatedly during the initial boot to boot the computer in Safe Mode, using the command in the Command Prompt.

b. Log in to your computer, use an administrator account, or another account, but be authorized to administer.

c. Type the following command in the Command Prompt command window, then press ENTER:

% systemroot% system32restorerstrui.exe

d. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore the previous computer state.

Method 2: If Windows XP boots normally

a. Log in to the computer, use the administrator account (administrator).

b. Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore . The System Restore program is opened.

c. On the Welcome to System Restore page , click to select the Restore my computer to an earlier time option . Then click Next .

d. On the Select a Restore Point page , click to select the component you want to restore on the On this list list, click a restore point , and then click Next . You may receive a notification about the list configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK .

e. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page , click Next . System Restore restores the Windows XP configuration during the previous use and restarts the computer.

f. Log in to the computer as an admin. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.

g. Click OK .

( Note : These recovery steps apply to Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Microsoft Windows XP Professional )