Computer wont boot

[Biggun]

I have another friends computer here, XP sp3 that wont boot. It gets to the blue start up screen, then restarts and does this over and over. I have tried starting in safe mode, disabled auto turn off and tried different power supply. None of these have worked. My plan was to start in safe mode and try system restore, but it reboots even in safe mode.

Any ideas?

Cheers

[viewer]

Similar scenario to me as well Biggun..XP SP3

Mine gets to home screen, says setting personal preferences, and stops and starts all the time.

I have finally got it to start, did a system resore to a month ago, and running at this stage.

I recollect the 1st time it did it, was when it did an avg update, and it was becoming more regular at startup.

Yesterday I ran full scans via both avg and malwarebytes, with nothing evident.

Yes, i have downloaded a few programs that may be inpacting, and have been trying to remember them and uninstall them to see what effect.

Alas, working now, so will need to keep watching out I guess.

What key do you hit at startup to go to safe mode?

[Biggun]

F8

[viewer]

Ta...also just remembered it was also the time I did the microsoft updates, and it asked for a restart...I see my machine is d/l them now...

[Biggun]

It reboots before I can even do a system restore though

[fromaron]

It reboots before I can even do a system restore though

You probably need to start full troubleshooting of the PC components. The following steps might give you some results (not necessary obviously):
1. If you have windows CD, boot from it and try system repair from the console.
2. Go to BIOS setup and load default configuration.
3. Play with RAM if you have two modules leave only one at a time.
4. What type of harddrives/DVD Roms in the PC? Any IDE devices? - try disconnecting one by one.
5. Pays to try a different video card.
6. Remove all cards which are not required for boot.

[mkhannah]

Same thing happened to me on an old laptop. I left it until the next day and after a few tries must have jagged it to get through a system restore before it rebooted and no probs now. It just fixed itself which is just as well cos I wouldn't have a clue how to fix it myself

[Biggun]

Tried everything, except repair option from the boot disc (cant find my XP disc)
The computer has an all in one mobo, and 2 sticks of ram. Tried 1 stick at a time and re seating each stick, and still doing the same thing. I am desperately searching for Xp disc. Running out of options.

Thanks

[Biggun]

Found my XP disc, now how far do I go for the repair option?. I put the disc in and it seemed like it was going just install windows again, I have done this before, but I just cant remember.

[DND]

Any ideas?

Cheers

Format and reinstall

[ocd_csv]

Depending on the Blue Screen that appears

I found with mine that the ftdisk.sys file was deleted by the virus checker but not replaced so I was getting blue screen with text similar to Session3_etc

Booted off cd and put back the ftdisk.sys and it started up fine.

[Biggun]

Thats a bit beyond me ocd

[admin]

Found my XP disc, now how far do I go for the repair option?. I put the disc in and it seemed like it was going just install windows again, I have done this before, but I just cant remember.

Restart your computer with the disc in , hit any key at start up ( it should say it on the screen )

[mango]

Restart your computer with the disc in , hit any key at start up ( it should say it on the screen )

i dont think he has an any key, i cant find one on mine...

[mandc]

I am fairly sure you have to go to the second repair screen.
The first comes up after booting into the xp disc....don't press "To repair a windows xp installation using a recovery console press R"
Instead press ENTER for "To install windows xp now, press Enter"

This takes you to the next screen (after agreeing to the windows licensing agreement) where you have the Repair option you need.

[Biggun]

Thanks everyone, decided on re format.

[Biggun]

Update: I decided to bite the bullet and re format the machine. I booted from disc etc, then left for an hour or so, when I came back and clicked the user agreements etc, XP was installed. BUT..... when it restarted, there were 2 x XP Pro's on there, and I had to choose which 1 to start. After checking the one I thought it was, XP finally did open (but painfully slowly). Thinking back, I didnt have to do the partion bit during the install, so I think it just installed another XP on there.
Can I delete 1 of the XP's and keep the one that is now working?

Hope this makes sense?

The good news is that all the needed data was in another partition, and is still intact.
Thanks

[Aboulaly]

This might be a bit late but just for next time mate.

[Biggun]

Thanks Aboulaly, will keep that in mind, but I have a new problem now lol

[z1gg33]

Aboulalys is a much better example.... but I tried last week

edit: I apologize I assume(ed) is was the same machine.