Startup screen shows random letters and dollar sign symbols!

[BuckFuddy]

I'm not sure if this belongs in here or the OS section, but I'll try here first. My bro's comp just randomly restarted itself while he was chatting on AIM and upon reboot you could see what looks like 5 vertical strips of blue lines.
The screen has a BUNCH of dollar sign symbols all over and you can read some lines, but it's hard because some have been replaced with random letters.
The farthest I can get is the screen asking to start up Windows normally or in safe mode, but that option is no longer available now after several reboots.

I first tried starting Windows up normally, but that just restarted the comp. The last known good configuration option also restarts the comp.
Then I tried safe mode, but it only shows the login screen with no login names or anything.
Now when I start the comp, it says that Windows is missing some file: \WMNDOWW\S]WTEM72\GONFMG\S]WTEM
I'm guessing it's C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, but it's all messed up so I can't really tell lol.

I tried to repair it using the Windows XP Pro cd, but it just restarts the comp and that's it. The only thing I can remember changing recently was the antivirus software.
When I tried to uninstall Kaspersky Anti-Virus it froze and I couldn't get rid of it. So I reinstalled it and was finally able to uninstall it properly.
After rebooting, I installed Avira AntiVir Personal and restarted the comp several times without any issues, so I'm not sure if that's the problem.

His comp is running Windows XP Pro w/SP2, Avira AntiVir Personal, and Windows firewall.

I thought I'd come here for help first before giving Geek Squad a try.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm trying to include as much detail as possible.
Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Soundmanred]

Sounds like his system's bucked, fuddy.

 

[RebateMonger]

You need to decide if it's a hardware problem or a software problem. Try a Linux Live CD. If THAT gives a problem, then run full memory diagnostics. If Linux works, then run a full hard drive diagnostics. It's also conceivable (but unlikely) that you have a video card issue. If everything else passes tests, you might borrow another video card.

If ALL your hardware checks out, then have a software problem that, considering the symptoms this point, will probably require a re-install of the OS.

But test the hardware first. It's easy, and without good hardware, you'll never get things to work correctly.

 

[Old Hippie]

Let me put it this way....
About 8 months ago, I tried to install the trial of Avira AntiVir Personal Antivirus. It wouldn't install correctly and I had to uninstall it immediately.

After that, it was all downhill. Couldn't get to system restore, safe mode was a dud, and the option to repair XP from the install disc just disappeared.....just like all the symptoms you're describing.

The only fix was a complete reinstall.

Bummer and good luck!

 

[BuckFuddy]

Originally posted by: Soundmanred
Sounds like his system's bucked, fuddy.

Thanks for the help fuddy.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Try a Linux Live CD.

Thanks Rebate, but can you tell me what the Linux Live CD does to help? Will it work with Windows XP Pro?
It doesn't really seem like it's the graphics card that's the problem though.
I think it's possible an important file got deleted in the process of uninstalling Kaspersky, but why was I able to restart the comp so many times without any problems?

Originally posted by: Old Hippie
After that, it was all downhill. Couldn't get to system restore, safe mode was a dud, and the option to repair XP from the install disc just disappeared.....just like all the symptoms you're describing.

So you got all those weird dollar sign symbols too? Did it say a file was missing from Windows?


I do have an Acronis image of the main hdd on my 2nd hdd, but I don't exactly know how to get onto the 2nd hdd to retrieve it.

 

[Old Hippie]

So you got all those weird dollar sign symbols too? Did it say a file was missing from Windows?

I don't remember dollar signs, but I had some file alerts.

You can try some boot-cds for equipment testing, but I'm voting the OS is hosed.

I do have an Acronis image of the main hdd on my 2nd hdd, but I don't exactly know how to get onto the 2nd hdd to retrieve it.

Two ways to go.......

1. You coulda/shoulda made a "Rescue Boot Disc" from your installed Acronis program. Boot from the disc and select your restore image. You should be able to make a boot disc from anybodys Acronis program and it will work.

2. Wipe the HD with DBan, reinstall XP and Acronis, and then do your restore from the image.

Good Luck!

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: BuckFuddy

Originally posted by: Soundmanred
Sounds like his system's bucked, fuddy.

Thanks for the help fuddy.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Try a Linux Live CD.

Thanks Rebate, but can you tell me what the Linux Live CD does to help? Will it work with Windows XP Pro?
It doesn't really seem like it's the graphics card that's the problem though.
I think it's possible an important file got deleted in the process of uninstalling Kaspersky, but why was I able to restart the comp so many times without any problems?

Originally posted by: Old Hippie
After that, it was all downhill. Couldn't get to system restore, safe mode was a dud, and the option to repair XP from the install disc just disappeared.....just like all the symptoms you're describing.

So you got all those weird dollar sign symbols too? Did it say a file was missing from Windows?


I do have an Acronis image of the main hdd on my 2nd hdd, but I don't exactly know how to get onto the 2nd hdd to retrieve it.

The live CD will at least let you know if you have hardware issues rather than software ones. You can get one from the ubuntu website.

 

[robisbell]

somethings corrupted either the motherboard BIOS or the video card BIOS, I'd unplug your HDD's reflash both of them and scan the drives with a secure system before reconnecting them to the PC in question.

 

[Narse]

Do you see these flashing lines and dollar signs duiring POST and while windows is loading? If so it's most likely a video card issue.

 

[BuckFuddy]

Originally posted by: Narse
Do you see these flashing lines and dollar signs duiring POST and while windows is loading? If so it's most likely a video card issue.

I see it when you start up the comp and the screen lists your memory and hard drives. It also appears on the screen that says cmos backup...ok!
After the cmos screen it just shows a file missing screen telling me to repair with the Windows CD.
The lines and symbols don't appear during the Windows loading part, but I can no longer get to that point anymore.


I don't think I'll be bringing this comp to Geek Squad for repair as I looked on their site and it costs $200!
Let's assume I buy a new hdd and install XP on it. Will I be able to connect the messed up drive as secondary and retrieve the data off it?
I'll try what robisbell said and reconnect everything and see if that helps.

 

[xgsound]

It sounds like the display is corrupted during post and before disk access is even begun. That problem does not involve the windows install at all although it may need repaired after you address this problem. For troubleshooting I would try to go into bios (f2 or delete during turn on for most machines) and if the display is bad shut the machine down and try something else.

The only correctable things that come to mind are to try checking with single/ different memory sticks or try clearing the bios. If that doesn't help the next thing to suspect is the video card.

If you try these things please report back results so we can see if there is more to try and include mobo type or model of computer.


Jim

 

[nick30790]

Hello all, I am hoping you can give me some insight into the nature of the problem with my computer.

I have also been experiencing the problem of dollar signs and blue lines during startup. However, this is not the first of my problems with my PC. Previously i have had problems where the computer will all of a sudden not boot properly and stay on the mup filw when starting up in safe mode. I have replaced the hard-drive once, so i am assuming this is not the problem. I have also both repaired and clean installed XP about 10 times prior to this.

Just before the dollar sign problem the screen has been going blank every now and then and also squiggly lines of static have been appearing when the screen goes black.

The PC is about 6 years old now so is it most likely hardware?

Thankyou in advance for your help.

 

[Intexity]

When in startup is it happening? Before or after BIOS post?

 

[nick30790]

ummm, the blue lines are right at the start when the RAM is being checked and then the dollar signs appear at the next screen after that.

 

[pcgeek11]

I had a system brought to me with the same (I Think) symptoms.
Strange symbols ASCII and lines.... The Video card was toasted. Replaced card all is 100% now.

Go to the BIOS Screen if it is also fubared I would almost be certain it is the video card.

It does seem you have file system problems also.

pcgeek11

 

[dbailey]

Make sure the heat sink is securly fastened to the cpu. If you have the push pin type make sure they are all locked down. I've seen issues like this when the cpu wasn't getting cooled properly and when it gets too hot, freaks out.