Author Topic: WinXP Pro freezes on boot in normal and Safe Mode - stops at aswRvrt.sys...?  (Read 30712 times)

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Darkstrike

  • Guest
Hi all,

I've got a problem with my mom's older desktop...after a Windows update, I rebooted to find it will no longer boot into Windows, but instead seems to pause at the loading screen infinitely. I tried booting into safe mode and the same thing happens, but lists that the last loaded driver is one of Avast's - aswRvrt.sys.

I've read in a few threads other people have had this problem. I've used a WinXP-Recovery-Tool-only disk to run a chkdsk C: /r on the drive and it said it found and fixed errors, however, it still won't boot into Windows and stops at the same place. Trying the "Last Known Good Configuration" results in the same thing...still won't boot past that Avast file in the list :(

What can I do next? I really don't want to have to format the thing...

Thanks for any assistance!!!

Undead-Divine-Assassin

  • Guest
The Avast apologists here have been blaming everything from Windows updates, various worms and viruses for this problem since October and if there was an easy fix or an update that addresses the Win XP problem it should be displayed in a sticky at the top of the forum. It isn't as far as I can see but I might be wrong.

Good luck getting a fix which doesn't involve reinstalling Windows. You know there is something rotten in the barrel when this is 'solution' suggested. It is only one rung up the ladder from the wally who blames viruses for almost any problem they get on their computer.

What I will say is that I've been happily updating Windows XP throughout this period. No problem thankfully but I've become so scared of updating Avast in case this issue affected computer I refuse to update. I only have one way to get online so even if there were a fix I couldn't get to find out what it is let alone download the solution. I'd be really stuffed as I rely on this machine for many things now.

In fact this potential problem and the impending loss of Win XP support by MS has spurred me to spend what I can ill afford on a new PC as the existing one can not run Win7/8 due to HDD capacity and RAM limitations.   
     
The advice should be don't update to the latest Avast if you're using WinXP in any form.


thekochs

  • Guest
.....good luck on this........there is hope with FRST tool and Essexboy if you can ping him for help will step you thru it.

However past that do not do a "format"....do a repair install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Hopefully you have a XP O/S disc if not do a Google but many links for free ISOs.
http://c2nsoft.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-download-windows-xp-professional.html
« Last Edit: January 25, 2014, 03:30:31 AM by thekochs »

Darkstrike

  • Guest
How can I get in contact with him? I would be grateful....doesn't a repair install need a copy of the WinXP CD with the same Service Pack level that is currently installed on the machine?

thekochs

  • Guest
How can I get in contact with him? I would be grateful....doesn't a repair install need a copy of the WinXP CD with the same Service Pack level that is currently installed on the machine?

YES.....there are ISOs you can download.
Another How-To: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

Do a search for Essexboy and PM him to this thread.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2014, 03:35:01 AM by thekochs »

Darkstrike

  • Guest
Is there a minimum post count before I can do that? I don't have any options to PM anybody (I don't even see my forum control panel anywhere...?)

Darkstrike

  • Guest
Also, I don't recall there being a release for a WinXP CD with SP3 installed on it, just SPs 1 and 2...?

thekochs

  • Guest
Also, I don't recall there being a release for a WinXP CD with SP3 installed on it, just SPs 1 and 2...?

I PMed him with link to this thread.
Think he is UK time....not sure.....I'm East Coast USA.

Darkstrike

  • Guest
Thanks mate, I appreciate it...East Coast of Canada here, so it's like 3am where he is... :( ...hopefully he'll be kind enough to respond in the morning!

thekochs

  • Guest
Thanks mate, I appreciate it...East Coast of Canada here, so it's like 3am where he is... :( ...hopefully he'll be kind enough to respond in the morning!

Essexboy is one of, if not the best, out there.  Have no idea what he does for a living but he seems to be on every friggin Forum.....Dude gets around.  He seems to be the A/V & Malware expert remover but clearly he is savy across many PC things. :)
Good luck........in the mean time try to find a XP O/S CD.....you may need it.
Of course, as you pointed out you need the proper XP version (Home, Pro, etc.) and SP level.....do you know what was on her machine ?
I hope your Mom's desktop still has the Windows sticker on it with the license code ?


Darkstrike

  • Guest
I have some XP Pro CDs around, but I'm not sure what SP level they have.

Hers had WinXP Professional SP3 on it, this I know, and I am pretty sure I have the CD key for it written down somewhere...

I only recall ever seeing CDs with SP2 on them though, is there even a WinXP Pro. SP3 CD out there? :S

Quite frustrated as it was working 100% perfectly until I restarted for those two Windows updates and I may now have to completely reformat it? I'm capable of doing that, but backing everything up and setting everything back up on it is so tedious, it will be a P.I.T.A. if that's what it comes down to... 9_9

thekochs

  • Guest
Doing a search on aswRvrt.sys in the Forum you'll see you are not alone.
You may want to read this thread....on topic & XP: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=144887.0
It'll give you an idea of the process but I'd HIGHLY recommend letting Essexboy walk you thru it....but you can prep.

Darkstrike

  • Guest
Thanks for the link - I had actually found that thread and downloaded Reatogo to try running FRST, but whenever I booted Reatogo, it seemed to just hang on a blue screen with the mouse cursor and that was it :S

thekochs

  • Guest
I have some XP Pro CDs around, but I'm not sure what SP level they have.
Hers had WinXP Professional SP3 on it, this I know, and I am pretty sure I have the CD key for it written down somewhere...
I only recall ever seeing CDs with SP2 on them though, is there even a WinXP Pro. SP3 CD out there? :S

I assume you have other PCs ?...obviously, you are posting from one.  ::)
You could take the XP SP2 and then create/slipstream a XP SP3 CD.
http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-xp2/slipstreaming-windows-xp-with-service-pack-3-sp3-128464
You can get SP3 from MS: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

Darkstrike

  • Guest
We have 4 other PCs in the house, 1 desktop (mine and the one I am typing these messages on) running Win7 Ultimate x64, another desktop running Win7 Home x64, a netbook running Linux Mint 14, and another netbook running WinXP Home.

Never thought about slipstreaming...here's hoping that would work if push came to shove, I just hope I could find the right CD key!

Here's hoping above all that EssexBoy has some helpful suggestions...