stuck in setup loop

[Guest]

My XP Pro installation had some problems, like certain services such as the
installer service failing to start with windows and not being able to run
windows upadate. Event viewer had a message that the services could not run
in safe mode, event though I was not in safe mode. After ascertaining that
the system was virus free and attempting an assortment of fixes, I decided to
do an upgrade install. The installation proceeded until the reboot where no
matter what I do I get "Windows XP setup Cannot run under safe mode. Setup
will restart now".

I have access to the partition via Bart PE or by placing the drive in
another system.
How can I get out of this loop? Why does my installation think it is in safe
mode when I am not? Is this a registry setting? What services need to
successfully load for windows to conclude that it is not in safe mode? Is
there a way to back track to the previous installation?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

My XP Pro installation had some problems, like certain services such as the
installer service failing to start with windows and not being able to run
windows upadate. Event viewer had a message that the services could not run
in safe mode, event though I was not in safe mode. After ascertaining that
the system was virus free and attempting an assortment of fixes, I decided to
do an upgrade install. The installation proceeded until the reboot where no
matter what I do I get "Windows XP setup Cannot run under safe mode. Setup
will restart now".

I have access to the partition via Bart PE or by placing the drive in
another system.
How can I get out of this loop? Why does my installation think it is in safe
mode when I am not? Is this a registry setting? What services need to
successfully load for windows to conclude that it is not in safe mode? Is
there a way to back track to the previous installation?

Boot the machine with your WinXP CD, then install WinXP over
the top of the existing installation.