System Keeps Rebooting before XP loads

[scammey]

I cannot get Windows XP to bootup. It keeps on resetting itself. I've tried it in safe mode, last known configuration, etc.

I think I messed it up when I installed a program which said I "must be in safe mode to install" I went into safe mode and installed the program. It then said to reboot. Ever since I did that, I cannot get the machine to start XP. This program I tried to install (some sort of patch for Turbo Tax)was obviously sinister and was intented to screw up my machine.

As the machine boots up, I get the Windows XP screen. For a split second I see a blue screen with some wording on it which I can't make out and then it reboots and the whole process starts again. The program seems to put me in an infinite "do loop"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[smah]

You may need to do a reinstall of XP.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341

 

[scammey]

Is there any way to repair this without doing a re-install? Also, if I do a re-install, will I lose ally data?

TIA

 

[smah]

An in-place installation will not lose your data, but you will have to download the updates from Windows update again. Before doing this, I'd wait a little while to see if anyone else has any better ideas.

 

[wolluf]

I think Smah's suggestion probably your best bet. You could try running chkdsk from recovery console (

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q314058)

to see if anything's corrupted your filestore causing the problem.

PS. Are you able to press the pause/break key when it blue screens to freeze the screen so you can read it?

 

[scammey]

Unfortunately, I cannot seem to pause the screen to read it. The virus program (or whatever it is called) is definitely putting it in a infinite loop.

TIA

 

[Johnjy]

Sounds like XP is not finding your OS. Check that all components are connected properly. Check all hard drive connections, CD-R, CD-RW, Zip drives and whatever else you might have installed.

Johnjy

 

[linney]

If you want to have a go using the Recovery Console to see if you can escape the Re-install option.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.mediaworkstation.com/htm/homeset1.htm

Click on Tutorial then the Charlie White article on XP crash.
This is a laymans version of Q307545 in simple language.

 

[Lauriepch]

The recovery console is a good idea, but I had a similar situation with Win XP Pro, and resolved it by running the WinXP Setup program over my current installation.

It cost me no data at all, although I could guarantee that 100% for anyone else.

You could d'load a set of Win XP Home Setup disks (6 in all) and run recovery console from those too.

They can be d/loaded at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8

And Win XP Pro at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=55820EDB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F

Good Luck. Laurie
PC Specialist
PC Health
pchealth@ozemail.com.au

 

[scammey]

What do you mean by running the WinXP setup program? Do you mean a re-install of XP from the XP CD?

TIA

 

[wolluf]

Scammey - a repair reinstall is what he means - as recommended by Smah in first response (with link to how to do it). Probably a good idea.

 

[scammey]

I did a "Repair Re-install and everything is back to normal. I just had to do a Windows Update.

Thanks to all for the quick responses