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Question

XP - Black screen after failing WGA - help!

May 20, 2014 8:16AM PDT

XP - Black screen after failing WGA - help!
Hi folks

My computer running windows xp sp2 failed windows genuine advantage and now I am met with a black screen:

- no icons
- no start up menu

What I have left:

- black screen
- mouse curser
- task manager

My copy of XP is genuine but I have no idea what to do now.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Why not try the usual?
May 20, 2014 8:20AM PDT

Boot safe mode and see if it gets that far. Given the age of XP and uncountable pages about SAFE MODE, I'll wait for the test result.

Also, where's that backup of this system? It's moved from optional to mandatory over the years.
Bob

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Reply
May 20, 2014 8:23AM PDT

It boots in safe mode to the same black page. Still have access to task manager but that's it.

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OK, then
May 20, 2014 8:33AM PDT

Off to New Task and try Explorer as a new task.

Remember that a CORRUPT PROFILE can do all you listed and no, there was never a cure offered for that. My advice is to try New Task then enter CONTROL to get to the control panel. Now create a new user with admin privileges then log out and log into that new account.

The new account won't have a CORRUPT PROFILE.
Bob

PS. If the new account works, google XP CORRUPT PROFILE to discover over a decade of pain.

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Blue screen
May 20, 2014 9:07AM PDT

Created a new user profile - small problem accept the screen is now blue.

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Answer
About SP3. Staying behind means bad news.
May 20, 2014 8:38AM PDT

It means many exploits can wipe this out. And this also adds another reason to keep a working copy of the installed OS.

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Answer
If it's a licensed copy
May 20, 2014 9:56AM PDT

If it's a licensed copy, call Microsoft's activation hotline and they'll be able to get the WGA issue straightened out pretty quickly. Then as Bob suggests, the absolute first thing you should do is install SP3. The second thing you should do, immediately following installing SP3, is installing all the post-SP3 security updates that have been released. After that, you should be making plans to migrate off of XP ASAP. Be it to a later version of Windows or something like Linux is your call, but something that is under active maintenance, at least for security vulnerabilities, is the goal.

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Answer
Safe Mode
May 20, 2014 11:15AM PDT

If you can get into Safe Mode, from the Run box on start menu, run the regedit program. Set it's FIND to WPAevents. in that folder, remove the entries values. This will give you a chance to activate your system again.