W2k: reboots every time after login

[prophotodx]

I have a w2k machine that has been fine for quite some time. All of a sudden it reboots every time upon startup, just after login. I have tried resetting the bios and safe mode usually does not boot either.

Thanx....

DBX
(Try it my way, it might work...)

 

[tuco7]

From experience, these are some of the causes
1. bad memory
2. sasser virus

Usually a memory issue, check out your memory, make sure the memory is seated properly in the slots.
There are a few free memory testers you can download
MemTest is pretty good.

 

[wolluf]

If its been fine for a while & this has just started, then RAM probably not the cause. Have you made any software/hardware changes recently? If not, then echoing tuc07, but extending it - probably virus/spyware/malware. If you can boot into safe mode, run a full system virus scan (presume you've got an AV app - otherwise, try to install one - eg AVG free is very good). Also install/run santi-spyware apps - in safe mode try spybot & adaware (both should install and run in safe mode).

You could also change the settings for what it does on error (stop it restarting and you should get a blue screen with possibly useful information. The event log - run eventvwr.msc in safe mode - may also ahve some info about the cause).

 

[electronicsfreak]

Load in recovery mode and try running sfc.

 

[bcastner]

Does it really reboot, or does it just go back to logon?

See:

http://www.winxptutor.com/wsaremove.htm

Read for a bit. The point of Ramesh's article is that several malware programs can create a logon/logoff/logon looping.

 

[prophotodx]

I tried different ram, and it has been the same. I have also tried pulling all hardware except for hard drives and video cards. I was able to run a virus scan from my other computer before I login, and ZoneAlarm found nothing. What will SFC do to my installed programs/settings? Will it return everything to OE? I am running SP4, will I be able to run SFC?

The computer reboots....I believe I have answered all questions, if not ask again!!

Greg

DBX
(Try it my way, it might work...)

 

[electronicsfreak]

If your current windows disc does not have sp4 make one with this site from a friends comptuer or someone who has a cd burner.

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2000_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm

 

[tuco7]

wollfu> You cant rule out memory just because computer was working fine and all of a sudden it acted up, its not uncomon for memory to go bad all of a sudden.

I have seen on several occasions a bad stick of memory cause the problem in question to occur.

I get approx 3 computers a week that come in that were working fine and all of a sudden they developed strange problems and it usually is in a computer that has 2 sticks of memory and 1 has gone bad.

Is memory the problem in this case who knows, but you Cant rule it out!!!!!

 

[electronicsfreak]

Go to this site , follow instructions and make the disc. Test one stick of memory at a time. Otherwords when you run this have only one stick of memory on the board. If you get any errors either your configuration is wrong or the chip is bad. let us know what you find

http://www.memtest86.com/

 

[wolluf]

tuco7 - wasn't ruling it out - but I've never seen memory 'go bad' - in some instances where this appears to be the case, a few questions about history reveal that memory has likely always been bad - but not too bad to completely stop the machine (ie, history of niggling problems). So IMO, its less likely than spyware/malware or even file/filestore corruption (see my suggestion below).

doubleexpressions - have you tried my 'safe mode spyware suggestion'? What about turning off automatic reboot so you can read the blue screen? (if there is one)

I've another - load recovery console and run chkdsk /p

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229716

 

[Psyke]

I had a similar problem awhile ago, the system would restart just before the login screen.

Problem was the locally installed USB 1020 Laserjet Printer, i had to physically disconnect the USB cable to get the restarts to stop, afterwards i reinstalled the driver for the printer and everything was fine.

Check for driver errors / misconfigurations.

 

[tuco7]

wolluf> you did rule it out!!! " RAM probably not the cause" you said!!!
Im sorry that you have not seen memory go bad, BUT they do go bad just like video cards, sound cards, motherboards and anything else man made, lots depends on who makes it and how the memory is sold, most mass build computer companies use a "Value Select" memory its cheap, it is mafactured, NOT tested and put in a box and shipped. We in turn have to replace that bad memory with the exact same type.

 

[electronicsfreak]

And for the question I overlooked, sfc does not harm your system or change your programs unless there trying to harm the system. sfc/scannow is system file checker and will check all system files and any that are corrupted or missing will be replaced by the originals on the system disc however when running it you need a disc that has the same current sp that you are running. sp meaning service pack.

 

[prophotodx]

Still not sure what happened or what I did, but so far the machine is working fine, I did take out a piece of older, slower ram that may have been the culprit but when I put it back in it boots ok. I left it out because it is slower and I already have a gig in the machine without it.



DBX
(Try it my way, it might work...)