Computer Keeps Rebooting

[Norm McGarry]

Okay, this is where I'm at:

The computer tries to boot and gets to the Windows XP Logo Loading
screen and then reboots immediately. This computer is running Windows
XP Pro, Pentium 4, 2X256 Ram.

I've narrowed it down to be a software issue. It's not hardware. I've
swapped out the ram and I've taken all PCI cards and everything out and
that didn't help.

I've ran CHKDSK. I tried running a repair installation and only made
it to the point where it finishes loading the Setup Files, upon reboot
where it should enter the repair process it keeps rebooting.

Prior to running the repair, I was able to get into Safe Mode. Now, it
tells me that it cannot run setup in safe mode.

Any advice will REALLY help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Steve N.]

Okay, this is where I'm at:

The computer tries to boot and gets to the Windows XP Logo Loading
screen and then reboots immediately. This computer is running Windows
XP Pro, Pentium 4, 2X256 Ram.

I've narrowed it down to be a software issue. It's not hardware. I've
swapped out the ram and I've taken all PCI cards and everything out and
that didn't help.

I've ran CHKDSK. I tried running a repair installation and only made
it to the point where it finishes loading the Setup Files, upon reboot
where it should enter the repair process it keeps rebooting.

Prior to running the repair, I was able to get into Safe Mode. Now, it
tells me that it cannot run setup in safe mode.

Any advice will REALLY help. Thanks in advance!

I'm afraid it's too late for anything but a clean install at this point,
but make every effort to backup your data files from the drive first.
Slave the drive in another working PC and copy the files to that PC's
hard drive. You may need to take ownership of folders if you get an
access denied error.

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=tech

For future reference, if you ever encounter this sort of problem again
do not attempt to perform a repair install before trying other methods
of resolving what you suspect to be a software problem, such as booting
to Safe Mode and uninstalling suspect software or drivers. A repair
install will do nothing for software or many device driver problems as
it keeps all software intact except for the operating system files.

Steve

 

[Guest]

Hi Norm,

I had the same problem with Windows XP Pro. Unable to go any forward at
the logo, unable to get in to Safemode and etc.

I ended up plug the hard drive into another computer to save the data.
Then reformat the hard drive....

Annie

 

[Guest]

Try running a scan in Safe Mode and Open the Command Prompt
At the blinking cursor, type SFC /SCANNOW and press OK
Note: SFC = System File Checker
It may ask you to insert your XP install CD to replace corrupt or missing
files.

 

[Steve N.]

Try running a scan in Safe Mode and Open the Command Prompt
At the blinking cursor, type SFC /SCANNOW and press OK
Note: SFC = System File Checker
It may ask you to insert your XP install CD to replace corrupt or missing
files.

Please re-read the OP.

Steve

 

[BNR]

Not a software issue. What did you due to rule out Hardware?

Your system is unstable. Please tell me if you already looked at the DDRAM
timings(aka latency)? About the time your system is rebooting, its loading
the kernal and many dlls(redundant code), if the memory is not firing on all
cylinders with the FSB at this point, it will shutdown and reboot.
Redundant code is very sensitive to mistimings in DDRAM. Slower processes
do not permit faster ones to pass.

Also in your response provide me with the make and model of your
motherboard. My guess is those two 256 sticks are not on your QVL(qualified
vendor list) for the board. Or they are trying to operate with the
motherboard's duel channel controller and flipflopping wrong, because they
are not the same exact model. Try to boot up with only stick?

However before going out and purchasing new gear, the MB BIOS may allow you
to enter DDRAM timings manually. I'm crossing my fingers for you. Do you
have PAT enabled? Try both ways, see which is more stable. Have you tried
disabling HT? Just for diagnostic purposes.

Thank you for allowing me to help. Good day.

 

[Norm McGarry]

Thanks for the reply Steve. Are you SURE there is nothing I can do?

 

[Steve N.]

Thanks for the reply Steve. Are you SURE there is nothing I can do?

Maybe someone else has a magic trick I don't know about but after a
botched repair install of the OS like you've had I've never found any
other way out other than a clean install and I've had quite a few of
them in my work. Additionally when doing one under these circumstances I
go the extra mile by deleting the existing partition and doing a full
format, not just a quick format, just to make sure there is no trace of
the previous file system and operating system left behind.

Steve

 

[Norm McGarry]

Yeah, I was worried that it was going to come to this.

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

 

[Steve N.]

Yeah, I was worried that it was going to come to this.

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

Well, if you want to, wait and see if someone else has a magic silver
bullet. I'm certainly open for other possible solutions. Back up your
files in the meantime, if you haven't already.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[Leif Nordmand Andersen]

Hi Norm

Okay, this is where I'm at:

The computer tries to boot and gets to the Windows XP Logo Loading
screen and then reboots immediately. This computer is running Windows
XP Pro, Pentium 4, 2X256 Ram.

Since noone has come up with a solution ... I've once experienced this
too - Continously rebooting.

In my case the HD was filled up and windows couldn't create a
swapfile, and then it just keept rebooting.

In my case I had to connect the drive to another xp computer and
delete some stuff on it, then it booted.

Regards Leif.

 

[Rock]

Okay, this is where I'm at:

The computer tries to boot and gets to the Windows XP Logo Loading
screen and then reboots immediately. This computer is running Windows
XP Pro, Pentium 4, 2X256 Ram.

I've narrowed it down to be a software issue. It's not hardware. I've
swapped out the ram and I've taken all PCI cards and everything out and
that didn't help.

I've ran CHKDSK. I tried running a repair installation and only made
it to the point where it finishes loading the Setup Files, upon reboot
where it should enter the repair process it keeps rebooting.

Prior to running the repair, I was able to get into Safe Mode. Now, it
tells me that it cannot run setup in safe mode.

Any advice will REALLY help. Thanks in advance!

Don't know if this will help but I don't think in your case it can hurt
to try it:

Windows XP logon screen does not appear and the computer continuously
restarts
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310396

 

[Rock]

Okay, this is where I'm at:

The computer tries to boot and gets to the Windows XP Logo Loading
screen and then reboots immediately. This computer is running Windows
XP Pro, Pentium 4, 2X256 Ram.

I've narrowed it down to be a software issue. It's not hardware. I've
swapped out the ram and I've taken all PCI cards and everything out and
that didn't help.

I've ran CHKDSK. I tried running a repair installation and only made
it to the point where it finishes loading the Setup Files, upon reboot
where it should enter the repair process it keeps rebooting.

Prior to running the repair, I was able to get into Safe Mode. Now, it
tells me that it cannot run setup in safe mode.

Any advice will REALLY help. Thanks in advance!

One other thing to check:
Unable to Log On To Windows XP After Removing wsaupdater.exe
http://www.lavasofthelp.com/articles/v6/04/06/0901.html

Normally the impact of this problem is the login screen appears but
after the user enters a name and password the system loops back to the
login screen. However I have seen one post in here where the OP said it
rebooted prior to the login screen but this fixed it.