Windows XP Pro: BSOD after fresh install

[James Bond]

I have been booting WindowsXP Pro off of a semi-new hard drive for about two weeks now.
Last night, I got a second hard drive, and decided to start fresh.

I formatted the first drive and reinstalled Windows XP.
After it was installed, I did my normal routine (which consists of installing Windows Updates, and some other software, like iTunes, Alcohol 52%, 3DMark, CPU-Z, Steam, etc).

I did a reboot, right after POST (before "loading windows"), I got a BSOD: "<root>/windows/system32/user32.dll is corrupt or could not be found". I was like #$^@.

I put in the Windows XP disc, went to repair prompt, and navigated through the disc until I found user32.dll. I copied the file, and overwrote the user32.dll that I had in my System32 folder (they were VERY different file sizes for some reason).

I did a reboot, and amazingly enough, I got back into Windows! I was thrilled.
I finished installing more software, and then finished installing IE7.

I reboot again. And of course, I got another error. This one wasn't a BSOD, but occured at about the same place: "<root>/windows/system32/NTOSKRNL.EXE is corrupt" (or something to that effect).

I went through the same routine: I went onto the Windows XP installation disc, found the same file, did a copy/overwrite into my System32 folder, and reboot.

At this point, after I POST, it is just a black screen. It will POST fine, but after that, I never get anything else. I tried copying that same NTOSKRNL.EXE file a couple times, just to ensure I did it properly, but nothing will work.

Does anyone have any advice for me ? Could this be because my system was overclocked ? My temperatures were completely fine, so I'm baffled. Keep in mind, all of this happened on a brand new install. The WinXP disc was emasculate, however, when I originally tried installing Windows, I got some random error that I can't recall. When that happened, I just restarted my computer, and the install went fine.

Help please!

 

[marulee]

Run a physical memory test first!
Then try Windows Memory Diagnostic!

Still BSOD, then reply back with more infos.

 

[James Bond]

I'm not getting BSOD at this point, just a black screen after POST.

I can't run that test, since I can't get into windows 🙁

 

[oogabooga]

sounds like a messed up install to me, but I don't know much. if it's not loading up NTOSKRNL you won't startup normally... It's a pretty fresh install, I say just reinstall again.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
sounds like a messed up install to me, but I don't know much. if it's not loading up NTOSKRNL you won't startup normally... It's a pretty fresh install, I say just reinstall again.

I'm going to after work, and I'll report back.
I'll try finding a new CD too. The one I used was a Dell Re installation Disc :disgust:

 

[Phlargo]

to me it sounds like a driver problem. It sounds like the install messed up one of your driver's install - try to get into safe mode. Hit F8 just after BIOS is done before Windows loading screen appears. If safe mode loads, it's probably a driver problem. If not, I'd guess it's memory related or CPU under voltage if you're overclocking.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: Phlargo
to me it sounds like a driver problem. It sounds like the install messed up one of your driver's install - try to get into safe mode. Hit F8 just after BIOS is done before Windows loading screen appears. If safe mode loads, it's probably a driver problem. If not, I'd guess it's memory related or CPU under voltage if you're overclocking.

I couldn't get into safe mode, I was getting a black screen: 1. Right after post (normal mode), 2. Right when I select "safe mode".

I ended up reinstalling Windows. Everything seems to be working perfectly.
I kind of get the feeling that it occurred because I installed Alcohol 52%, but I installed it before a lot of my devices had finished installing/rebooted.