Windows 2000 in re-boot loop

[Guest]

Hi there,
I'm new to this and I'm not sure I'm in the right forum so please excuse me
if I'm in the wrong place. This is a bit long-winded but I don't which bits
of this information are relevant and which are irrelevant.
I have Windows 2000 ("Built on NT Technology") installed on a Compaq Deskpro
which has a 6GB hardrive (C drive). It has been running horrendously slowly.
TaskManager shows no programmes running but the CPU is running a steady
platform of 100% with occasional spikes to 0%.
I've run various anti-virus checks, Spyware checks, etc. and a number of
Trojans were found and deleted or quarantined.
Because of the performance, I researched this on the Net and everything I've
read suggests that there is some hidden virus/programme running. The only
thing I could think of to rid the system was to re-format the C drive and
reinstall everything.
When I tried to reformat, I got a message saying that it couldn't be
completed until all programmes using windows were closed. I used Task Manager
to try to close all processes. Most of these I couldn't close as access was
denied or it was considered a critical feature. 2 programmes reappeared no
matter how often I ended them: wuauclt.exe (which may be associated with the
Trojan CultB) and rundll.exe.
I tried to restart the PC and now it is in a continual re-boot loop; the
windows 2000 window keeps trying to fully run, the Compaq window appears and
then the screen goes black and tries to reboot and the process repeats all
over again.
Luckily I've got a back up laptop to ask this question.
Can anyone help? I'm pretty much a technical ignoramus so please use
idiot-proof language.
Thanks for any help you all can offer.
Kahli

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi there,
I'm new to this and I'm not sure I'm in the right forum so please excuse me
if I'm in the wrong place. This is a bit long-winded but I don't which bits
of this information are relevant and which are irrelevant.
I have Windows 2000 ("Built on NT Technology") installed on a Compaq Deskpro
which has a 6GB hardrive (C drive). It has been running horrendously slowly.
TaskManager shows no programmes running but the CPU is running a steady
platform of 100% with occasional spikes to 0%.
I've run various anti-virus checks, Spyware checks, etc. and a number of
Trojans were found and deleted or quarantined.
Because of the performance, I researched this on the Net and everything I've
read suggests that there is some hidden virus/programme running. The only
thing I could think of to rid the system was to re-format the C drive and
reinstall everything.
When I tried to reformat, I got a message saying that it couldn't be
completed until all programmes using windows were closed. I used Task Manager
to try to close all processes. Most of these I couldn't close as access was
denied or it was considered a critical feature. 2 programmes reappeared no
matter how often I ended them: wuauclt.exe (which may be associated with the
Trojan CultB) and rundll.exe.
I tried to restart the PC and now it is in a continual re-boot loop; the
windows 2000 window keeps trying to fully run, the Compaq window appears and
then the screen goes black and tries to reboot and the process repeats all
over again.
Luckily I've got a back up laptop to ask this question.
Can anyone help? I'm pretty much a technical ignoramus so please use
idiot-proof language.
Thanks for any help you all can offer.
Kahli

Attempting to format your hard disk while Windows is up
and running is equivalent to sawing off the branch you're
sitting on. Not very healthy . . .

The standard method of installing Windows (with or without
formatting the disk) involves booting the machine off the Win2000
CD, then following the prompts.

To boot off your Win2000 CD, modify the BIOS boot sequence
so that the CD drive is the first boot device.

 

[Guest]

Hi Pegasus,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I wasn't joking when I said I
was a technical ignoramus.
Thank you for the branch & saw analogy; I'll stop sawing now!
Would you mind giving me the baby steps on how to "modify the BIOS boot
sequence so that the CD drive is the first boot device"?
Thanks again for your help.
Kahli

technically illiterate .... In need of an "Idiot''''s Guide" .....

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I can only give you a general guide, because different
BIOSs require different steps. Consult your PC handbook
if things look different.

1. Keep tapping the BIOS setup key during the early
boot phase. It is often the Delete key but it can be
F2, F12 or some other key.
2. Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Boot menu.
3. Using the keys show in the legend on the screen,
promote the CD drive to the first boot item.
4. Save & Exit.

This is very much a question of RTFM . . .

Hi Pegasus,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I wasn't joking when I said I
was a technical ignoramus.
Thank you for the branch & saw analogy; I'll stop sawing now!
Would you mind giving me the baby steps on how to "modify the BIOS boot
sequence so that the CD drive is the first boot device"?
Thanks again for your help.
Kahli

technically illiterate .... In need of an "Idiot''''s Guide" .....