I have windows XP on a new laptop computer. I was
downloading windows updates the other night and the
battery gave out on me before it finished. Now I can't get
my computer to boot. It acts like it is going to reboot
but then signs itself off and starts again, over and over
in a continuous loop. I have tried to start it in safe
mode, in last configuration and normal to no avail. Any
idea what I need to do.

Assuming you have an actual XP CD and not a recovery CD, try a repair
install as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.



Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.



Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.



Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.



The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.



If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP and perform the above or you can run
your system's recovery routine which will likely wipe your drive, losing all
of your information as well but will place your system back in factory fresh
condition.


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Barb" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:077f01c37b8f$8b022820$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have windows XP on a new laptop computer. I was
> downloading windows updates the other night and the
> battery gave out on me before it finished. Now I can't get
> my computer to boot. It acts like it is going to reboot
> but then signs itself off and starts again, over and over
> in a continuous loop. I have tried to start it in safe
> mode, in last configuration and normal to no avail. Any
> idea what I need to do.