Black screen error: "x:\windows\system32\cmd.exe-startnet.cmd". dv5-1127cl 64-Bit w/SP-1

[Roy2307]

Hi, I’m trying to help my nephew repair his laptop; the OS is Windows Vista Home Premium.  A few weeks ago the pc displayed black cmd screen error messages when I tried to powered it up.  It went into an endless loop frenzy and attempted to restart every 60 seconds. I researched it and followed several different set of steps to resolve the problem – including (1) safe mode, (2) last known good configuration, (3) system restore, and (4) system recovery.  Nothing worked.  Eventually, I got pass the black screen error message loop and ran head on into another brick wall.  The pc displayed a BSOD with the following error messages: “BSOD error: Stop: c0000130  Unknown Hard Error \SystemRoot\System32\ntdl.dll” and “BSOD error: Stop: c000021a {Fatal System Error}”.

I restarted the pc and navigated to the BIOS where I ran the two HDD self tests.  The short test passed, but the long test failed at 20%.  Since my nephew failed to make a set of system recovery DVDs when he purchased the laptop 18 months ago, I ordered a set from the HP web site.  I ran the new system recovery DVDs and made great progress.  Everything was sailing along step by step.  Recovery completed, HP software installation was loading and did a few automatic restarts as it should have. Windows welcome screen, logo and sound displayed; I was minutes away from completing the windows installation and BAM!!!  The pc just shut down without warning.  At this point the pc had been running for 75 minutes. 

After the pc cooled down I repeated the system recovery steps a 2nd time, methodically, with the new recovery DVDs that I ordered.  Again, after about 80 minutes, the pc just shut down without warning.  At this point I’m totally convinced that the HDD can’t be revived; therefore, I drove to the local Best Buy and bought a new 250 GB HDD to replace the old 320 GB HDD.  I methodically replaced the HDD and once again ran the new system restore DVD set I ordered (3rd time); followed all steps completely.  The Recovery completed, HP software installation was loading, the pc did a few automatic restarts and the Windows welcome screen displayed along with Windows logo and sound.  Minutes away from completing the windows installation, the pc just shut down without warning for the 3rd time after running for 80 minutes.

I installed a new HDD and used a new set of system recovery DVDs.  What is making the pc shut down without warning after 75 to 80 minutes on run time?  PLEASE HELP.

[EverWin · Accepted solution]

Well all this indicates towards Hardware failure,. HDD test confirmed tht HDD Failed

have you tested RAM also, Run RAM TEST

i suppose this pc has 2gb X 2 numbers of ram == 4GB DDR2 ram

remove One at a time then run recovery to check if one of those two ram is too damaged

Dont just buy new one, untill it gets confirmed,...

[Roy2307]

Thanks for your help.  I did the RAM test two times prior to running the recovery DVDs initially and both test indicated that the 4GB RAM sticks (2GB X 2) were good.  Following your advice, I removed the top RAM stick and ran the System Recovery DVDs.  The OS installed completely without incident and the pc ran for 4 hours until I shut it down without incident.  Next, I returned the old RAM stick back to the top position and removed the bottom RAM, booted up without incident and all worked well initially.  After 25 minutes, the pc shut down without warning.  So, obviously the top RAM stick is the culprit; but any ideas on why it passed the first two RAM tests and failed when I tried to run the System Recovery DVDs?  Also, assuming the RAM was the culprit all along, is it possible that the old HDD that I replaced might be good? 

I really appreciate your help, thanks a million.

[CherylG]

While I have seen the BIOS testing return accurate results many times, I have also seen it return false results also.Usually memtest is a better tool for testing memory.

As for the hdd, I would not trash it as yet but I wouldn't rely on it for anything critical either. I would probably keep it as a spare,maybe even put it back in with the new memory and try installing Recovery Disks.If it works he could run it and keep the other as an emergency replacement. But, I would advise keeping good backups of files,photos, music just in case.

It would be interesting to see if the original hdd tests good with the bad memory removed.