CANNOT FINISH XP REPAIR INSTALATION

[psychson]

System: DELL OPTIPLEX GX260, PENTIUM 4 1.8Ghz, 1GB RAM, WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL SP2.

It all started when I got a lot a problems with some spywares and I no longer could connect to the internet. Then I used SPYBOT, AD-AWARE and HIJACKTHIS to try to fix it. It did not fix, SPYBOT kept telling me that SMITFRAUD could not be removed. So, I decide to try to go to SAFE MODE and SCAN from there. To my surprise I could not get into SAFE MODE. I was prompted to select how to start: IN SAFE MODE , COMMAND PROMPT and so on.
I did choose SAFE MODE and it NEVER went anywhere. I kept seeing the same black screen telling me to choose how to start windows. No matter which option I choose it would never start in SAFE MODE. I gave up and decided to go to
MSCONFIG and choose SAFEBOOT from there. I was sure I would be able to enter SAFE MODE. Not a chance! It did not enter the safe mode and it repeated the same behavior I was getting before and made things worst, it did not let me start windows normally. I would see only the same screen jumping back and forth as it were about to enter SAFE MODE, whcih never did. Not being able to
escape from the repetitive behavior , the only option I found was to use the XP CD and do a REPAIR INSTALATION. I seemed that everything was getting back in place, the repair was running, files were being copied and towards the end when SETUP was about to start windows, I got stuck again in the same cycle, not being to go anywhere. Now I keep getting a message telling me:
WINDOWS CANNOT RUN UNDER SAFE MODE. SETUP WILL RESTART NOW. My only choice was an OK to click and from there I'm in the same dilema as before. I cannot get out of there, I cannot finish the repair and I kind of suspect why I'm getiing this message. I think it's because when I entered MSCONFIG I selected SAFEBOOT and I never deselected, but I did not have how to get back there in the first
place. So, to make a long story short I have no idea of what to do besides FORMAT and install XP again. I would not like to do that because I could not backup my files before because of the spyware. Yeah I know I should have a backup before, but I didn't.
My question is/are : Do I have any other choice to fix that without formating my HD ? Does anyone know why I got stuck in any of those screens ?
I'd appreciate you help.
I'm desperate to solve this headache.
Thanks a lot.

 

[linney]

How far in to the repair install did you get? Did it seem to complete, or crash half way through?

See if you can use the Recovery Console to fix the Boot.ini which may have the Safe Mode switch set (/safebootarameter).

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Available switch options for the Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 Boot.ini files

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721#appliesto

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q314/0/79.asp

Q305595 - HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

Boot.ini is a hidden, system, and read only file, you may have to change these attributes with the Attrib command. You could alternatively delete it and recreate it.


See these similar stories, there may be better suggestions there?

http://www.google.com/search?q=WIND...DE.+SETUP+WILL+RESTART+NOW&rls=com.microsoft:

http://groups.google.com/groups?um=...T RUN UNDER SAFE MODE. SETUP WILL RESTART NOW

 

[BadBigBen]

Liney hit it right on with the RECOVERY CONSOLE and editing the BOOT.INI file, in that you delete the /SAFEMODE switch...

then it should allow you to finish the SETUP/REPAIR INSTALL...

good luck...

PS: for SMITFRAUD removal, you should have used a TOOL specially made for it... ie. SmitFraudFix v2.195

http://www.filepedia.com/desktop_software/desktop_security/smitfraudfix.cfm

The others you mentioned are great tools, but some of the malware out there require abit more concrete surgery to be removed...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."