Boot up problem

[Parselmouth]

I have a PC with Windows XP Pro which won't boot up to the desktop. Once past the boot screen, it takes me to a page where it says Choose operating system,offering me the choices of Windows XP Pro or Windows XP Pro Set up, I can't choose the first option, then it takes me to another page where I get the message

 

The file amxrrmz1.sys could not be found. Press any key to continue

 

But when you press a key, nothing happens. I can get into the BIOS but not safe mode. I have tried booting from the XP Pro disk, but no go.

 

I have tried Googling the file name but there are no results. My teenage son had been using the computer so I wouldn't be surprised to find that this problem has been caused by a virus. Any suggestions as to how to deal with it would be appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

[PseFrank]

Hi Parselmouth, welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

I can get into the BIOS but not safe mode. I have tried booting from the XP Pro disk, but no go.

 

If you can get into the Bios but your XP disk will not boot, then make sure that the cd/dvd drive is set to boot first. Then try your disk again.

 

If you where thinking of doing a clean install rather than a repair install, then you will need to back up your personal files (Pics and music,etc). It's wise to have a backup anyway.

It sounds as if your only way of backing up your data will be by using an external enclosure, sometimes called a caddy.

Please let us know what your position is.

[Parselmouth]

Thanks very much for the reply. I'm going to do a clean reinstall, no need to worry about the data as it was just my kid's game saves and he's now happily installed on another computer.

 

I want to reinstall and get this one up and running again to give to my brother.

[PseFrank]

At least not worrying about data makes things easier for you. Are you now able to boot from your XP disk?

[PseFrank]

If you are now able to boot from your XP disk, then the following Microsoft link should help you. Have a read of the information given, and then use Method 1.

 

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

[Parselmouth]

I've set the computer in the BIOS to boot from the CD but unfortunately there is no difference, I'm still getting the message

 

The file amxrrmz1.sys could not be found. Press any key to continue

 

It won't boot from the disk.

[RandyL]

What is the make, model and number of the PC? We can check your options.

 

When setting the boot options to CD first in the BIOS you must save the changes before exiting the BIOS.

 

Once set correctly it will boot from the XP Pro installation disks. As it stands now it is trying to boot into Windows and can't find that file to load. For that matter I can't find that file. The name might be wrong. Spaces matter in file names.

[Synapse]

From your first post it looks like you have already run a reinstall that went wrong, what prompted a reinstall - it might help decide the best fix.

 

I googled the file error you have posted and there are no hits, that means no one has has the exact same fault - very uncommon in the computer world. Problem reinstalls can be down to memory, a faulty install CD, a faulty drive or worst case a faulty board.

 

Is the CD ok, no scratches, is it an original or a copy, from there I'd do a memory test using Memtest and see where things go.

 

http://www.memtest.org/download/4.20/memtest86+-4.20.iso.zip

 

Its a direct download link.