Stuck in Startup Cycle

[Guest]

My computer is now stuck in the start up cycle. Something is apparently
corrrupted, but I can't figure out what. It will start and then ask if I
want to use the safe mode, last good start or start normally. If I choose
any of them, it will cycle through and ask me the same thing again, and
again, and again. Windows will not start. I have the feeling that it is
something to do with the registry, but I have no way to repair or correct it.
(And no, I didn't make an XP boot, or recovery disk before this happened.)
Any suggestions on how I might fix this, without reloading Windows, would be
greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

You can try a non-destructive rebuild, which won't affect any currently
installed software or data:

http://informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

The article also has links to some other options, including using the
recovery console, along with the limitations of the options, particularly if
the version on your install CD is older than what's currently on your
computer (i.e. SP! instead of SP2). If that's the case, follow the link in
the article explaining how to slipstream an install CD (provided, of course,
you have access to a working computer). Hope this helps.

Steve