STOP 0x00000024 after Windows Update

[sparhawk]

We are running Windows XP Professional SP3 on an HP Pavilion D4100Y. After a recent Windows Update, the computer was completing the update installation before shutting down, when the surge protector was accidentally turned off before the computer was finished with the updates.

Now, when the computer powers up, it goes to the Windows XP splash screen, flashes blue for a quick second and the computer reboots.

If we access the Boot Menu, the Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Enable VGA Mode, Last Known Good Configuration options all lead to the OS Choices menu, which gives "Windows XP Professional" and "Windows Recovery Console" options. Both options reboot the computer.

Only the Disable Automatic Restart option doesn't reboot the computer, and it gives a BSOD with STOP error 0x00000024.

I am not at the location of the computer; just trying to help out my family. They don't have a Windows XP disc. They only have the HP System Recovery disc. This disc doesn't have the Recovery Console on it. The disc can only do a total wipe and reinstall back to the factory installation, which will erase some very important business data (which the computer owners haven't been as vigilant about backing up as they should.

They have 3 other computers that they could use to download any utilities to fix the issue, but don't have any blank CDs to run any utilities from. They do have a 1GB USB flash drive that we can boot the computer from if you know of any utilities that will resolve the issue.

From all of the threads on the stop error 0x00000024, quite often running "CHKDSK /R" from the recovery console has a good chance of fixing the issue, but we can't get into the recovery console without me mailing them a Windows XP disc, unless anyone here can suggest any other options.

Any options would need to be relatively easy to implement because the family at the computer's location is not very computer savvy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aford10]

The only other option I can think of, is to run a chkdsk /r on the hard drive, while it's slaved into another PC.

Other than that, they'll probably need an XP disc.

 

[sparhawk]

The only other option I can think of, is to run a chkdsk /r on the hard drive, while it's slaved into another PC.

Other than that, they'll probably need an XP disc.

I thought about that, but the prospect of walking a couple of hardware noobs through removing & reinstalling a hard drive raises my blood pressure too much. I went ahead and shipped them a slipstreamed Windows XP SP3 disc. They have a valid license for the OS, so this shouldn't be too illegal.

 

[aford10]

Nope. As long as they use their license, it's good.

If it helps, here's a nice step by step guide to doing a windows repair.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm

If the plan is to use the recovery console command line to do a chkdsk /r, here's a nice guide to accessing it.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/rconsole.htm

 

[sparhawk]

They got the XP disc I sent them. I walked them through getting into Recovery Console and running a CHKDSK /R. This cleared up the problem to the point where we can get into Windows, but we can't seem to get connected to the network, and a bunch of the programs on the system won't run.

On to the next problem...

 

[aford10]

Since the hard drive had errors, it's a safe bet that there's some damage to the registry as well. Have them download ccleaner, and run the registry tool. They may need to run it several times to resolve all the issues.
http://www.piriform.com/

That program also can do all kinds of system cleanup and optimization. It's not relevant to the issues they're having, but once the issues are ironed out, they may want to tidy up a bit.

 

[sparhawk]

The computer is so messed up that we can't even run System Restore. It never ceases to amaze me that Windows can be this easily corrupted with an accidental power-off.

We can't run Windows Update to try to fix some issues because the Windows Installer is corrupted. Windows Installer complains that the Cryptographic Service isn't started. In Services.msc, we can't get the Cryptographic Services started.

We also can't get our backup software running to backup our data to do a total wipe and reinstall.

Are we screwed?

All this because Windows can't handle an accidental loss of power.

 

[aford10]

It depends on how much of the registry ccleaner can fix.

Using ccleaner, and then maybe a windows repair, will hopefully solve all the issues.

 

[sparhawk]

It depends on how much of the registry ccleaner can fix.

Using ccleaner, and then maybe a windows repair, will hopefully solve all the issues.

CCleaner relies on Windows Installer to install. Since Windows Installer is corrupted, that isn't going to happen. Thanks for the suggestion, though. We are now working on copying all important files to a portable hard drive. It looks like nothing shy of a total wipe is going to resolve this.

 

[aford10]

I would suggest a windows repair first. It doesn't take that long, and won't affect any user data.

 

[sparhawk]

I would suggest a windows repair first. It doesn't take that long, and won't affect any user data.

OK, now I'm starting to get mildly annoyed with this thing. We are attempting a repair installation, but it isn't recognizing the admin password. This damn computer is putting up roadblocks everywhere we need to go.

 

[aford10]

By default, the admin password is usually blank. Unless you put a password on the default admin account, just press enter when prompted.

 

[sparhawk]

By default, the admin password is usually blank. Unless you put a password on the default admin account, just press enter when prompted.

Good call. That worked. We were able to run the CHKDSK /R, but the same problem still continues.

Won't a Windows Repair overwrite the registry? Doesn't that mean we'll have to reinstall all of our applications?
Then again, even if we have to, we could at least back up all our data just in case.

 

[aford10]

No, a repair doesn't overwrite the registry. What it does, is basically an in place overwrite of the OS. It doesn't affect any 3rd party apps, or user data.

 

[sparhawk]

No, a repair doesn't overwrite the registry. What it does, is basically an in place overwrite of the OS. It doesn't affect any 3rd party apps, or user data.

We attempted a repair installation, but now the damn thing isn't accepting our product key, says it's invalid. So we can't complete the repair installation and there isn't an option to undo. Now the computer is even less useful than it was before.

 

[aford10]

If you're repairing their install, make sure to use the key that they originally installed the OS with, and not the one that went with your copy.

Even if it's not accepting the key, you should still be able to proceed without activating it now.

 

[sparhawk]

If you're repairing their install, make sure to use the key that they originally installed the OS with, and not the one that went with your copy.

Even if it's not accepting the key, you should still be able to proceed without activating it now.

It isn't accepting their original key or my key.
It also isn't allowing them to get past this screen without entering the key.
In the past, I have been able to get past this screen without a key, and just get nagged about a 30-day trial until I enter the code. Not this time.

 

[aford10]

Have them click No or Cancel. It should just continue on.

If not, you can use an external enclosure/dock, or slave the drive in another PC, to retrieve the data. Because about the only other option, is to do a fresh install.

 

[sparhawk]

Have them click No or Cancel. It should just continue on.

If not, you can use an external enclosure/dock, or slave the drive in another PC, to retrieve the data. Because about the only other option, is to do a fresh install.

Oddly enough, "No" and "Cancel" weren't an option. Then again, I'm doing this over the phone and relying on them to tell me what is on the screen, so that might not be accurate.

Looks like I'm making a trip up soon, so they just won't use that computer until then. At least they have 3 more to use in the meantime.

Thanks to all for your help, though. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[aford10]

There should be some button with a similar meaning. :lol:

You're welcome. Good luck, and let me know how it goes.