[brokenrow]

I am getting the following error msg when trying to start my wondows XP. I am unable to get into safe mode or to the system recovery console....pressing F8 is not doing anything at all.

The only change I made was to increase the memory usage (RAM) size in control panel, it asked for a reboot and the problem started after that.

I want to go to safe mode and undo the change and I am sure that will rectify the problem...is there any other way (other than pressing f8) to go to safe mode?

The error msg I am getting is:

Windows cannot create a temporary profile directory. This may be caused by insufficient security rights. If this problem persists, contact your network administrator.

DETAIL: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested sequence.

If I click on OK, I get the next screen:

"Windows cannot load the user's profile but has logged you on with the default profile for the system"

DETAIL: Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service.

[The_Oracle]

BootSafe will do the job ... or check /safeboot in MSCONFIG under BOOT.INI

[managed]

What stops you from using the Recovery Console ?

[brokenrow]

Don't you need a CD to bring up the recovery console. My PC didn't come with a OS CD unfortunately. Is there any other way to evoke the recovery console?

[The_Oracle]

Download this bootable 7Mb .iso for a bootable Recovery Console

[brokenrow]

thanks but the link to the bootable recovery console file is broken....it says 'Sorry, the page you were looking for could not be found'.

Anywhere else I can download this from?

[The_Oracle]

http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso

if you need an image burner ... ImgBurn is free.

[brokenrow]

Thanks for the link..Downloaded the file and copied the image to a CD. Inserted the CD and booted the computer but there was no change. The computer still tries to boot normally and comes up with the same error.

Do I need to do anything to force the computer to boot from the CD?

[The_Oracle]

burning the file to CD is futile, you'll need to create a bootable CD from that image, i already posted a link to ImgBurn.

also make sure to change the boot priority in the BIOS to DVD/CDROM first. most modern computer also have a boot options menu, accessible via Function key (e.g. F11 or F12)

[brokenrow]

The bootable CD option didn't work. Finally managed to sort out the issue though.

Pressing F2 took me to the safe mode screen. My USB keyboard didn't work so bought a PS2 keyboard to select the 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt' option.

While booting in safe mode the startup got stuck while loading some agp***.sys file, after unsuccessfully trying to load a few times but with the same result, I pressed ESC and then ENTER while the startup was stuck at agp***.sys file. It worked!! The safe mode came up with the command prompt.

I entered 'control.exe' to bring up the control panel, I then restored the changes I had made to the memory usage (which had resulted in this error in the first place), saved, rebooted and windows loaded normally.

Thanks for everyones help. I found this website really useful for tips and hence am making sure that I update this post with the resolution to help others.