Windows will not start: bootup resets itself!

[fred]

Hello,
I have a bootup problem with my computer which is not Windows
related, but I do not know where to post it.
The computer simply will not bootup from the harddrive. There is not any
error message displayed, and booting restarts in endless loop. After passing
all the BIOS, when there is the time to start Windows bootup process just
resets and start the boot cycle from the beginning.
Now, when I insert bootable CD there is not a problem. Computer will boot to
that CD.
Please advise what can I try to resolve that problem,
Thanks,
Fred

 

[Jerry]

Since it's a hardware problem occuring before Windows starts you best bet is
to check tech support or a user forum of the computer manufacturer; i.e
Dell, HP, Gateway, etc.

If it is self built then check the motherboard manufacturer.

 

[Daave]

Hello,
I have a bootup problem with my computer which is not
Windows related, but I do not know where to post it.
The computer simply will not bootup from the harddrive. There is not
any error message displayed, and booting restarts in endless loop.
After passing all the BIOS, when there is the time to start Windows
bootup process just resets and start the boot cycle from the
beginning. Now, when I insert bootable CD there is not a problem.
Computer will
boot to that CD.
Please advise what can I try to resolve that problem,

I'm not convinced this isn't Windows-related because your PC seems to
get past the BIOS screen.

The next time you boot up, repeatedly tap the F8 key (you can even start
this when the BIOS screen is still up). Do you get the Safe Mode menu?

Also, please give us more info about your PC -- make and model, flavor
of XP, SP level, etc. Do you have an XP installation CD?

 

[fred]

You are and right and not, Daave.
It is interesting what is happenning.
Inserting the blank harddrive causes the "bootup faillure" message, which is
correct because the blank harddrive does not have OS installed.
Original hardrive was partitioned to 3 partitions and had Dual bootup.
C: WinXP
D: Vista
Z: Backup
..
It was working fine for the few months, before the problem started.
Interestingly, I have 2 images of my C:\drive preserved:
the recent (dual bootup) setup and the previous Windows XP only.
Both images was created when the system was still virgin.
Restoring that recent image back to c:\ does not cure that problem whch
points me toward hardware/BIOS failure of some kind.
But, and that what is interesting restoring the other image (no dual bootup)
get rid off of that problem,. Windows start OK. That points toward Windows
problem.
Confusing, isn't it?
And F8 button does not work at that stage (cycling bootup) which I do not
know how to interprete:
is that hardware or Windows problem?
Thanks,
Fred

 

[Gerry]

Fred

With some keyboards you have to press the F Lock key before other function
keys work.

How was the dual boot created?





Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[fred]

F Lock key?
What's the devil?
Fred

Fred

With some keyboards you have to press the F Lock key before other function
keys work.

How was the dual boot created?





Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

Fred

You said your F8 key was not functioning
http://jtsang.mvps.org/flock.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-Lock


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[fred]

F8 does not work because booting does not come to that point in time yet
when F8 menu shows up.
Booting resets itself before that point.
I think it is a quite important information to solve/explain that problem,
just I do not know how to use interprete that.
Fred

 

[Daave]

F8 does not work because booting does not come to that point in time
yet when F8 menu shows up.
Booting resets itself before that point.
I think it is a quite important information to solve/explain that
problem, just I do not know how to use interprete that.

Are you absolutely sure? Remember, the F8 menu doesn't appear until
*after* you press F8! Just humor us: repeatedly tap F8 -- even if the
BIOS splash screen is still showing -- and see what happens.

If you still can't get the F8 menu, try the procedure outlined here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

[Daave]

You are and right and not, Daave.
It is interesting what is happenning.
Inserting the blank harddrive causes the "bootup faillure" message,
which is correct because the blank harddrive does not have OS
installed.

"Inserting the blank harddrive"? What do you mean by that? Did you
literally replace your hard drive with a blank one?! If so, why? What
did you think would happen?

Original hardrive was partitioned to 3 partitions and had Dual bootup.
C: WinXP
D: Vista
Z: Backup
.
It was working fine for the few months, before the problem started.
Interestingly, I have 2 images of my C:\drive preserved:
the recent (dual bootup) setup and the previous Windows XP only.
Both images was created when the system was still virgin.
Restoring that recent image back to c:\ does not cure that problem
whch points me toward hardware/BIOS failure of some kind.
But, and that what is interesting restoring the other image (no dual
bootup) get rid off of that problem,. Windows start OK. That points
toward Windows problem.
Confusing, isn't it?
Yes!

And F8 button does not work at that stage (cycling bootup) which I do
not know how to interprete:
is that hardware or Windows problem?

I can't see how this is a hardware problem.

There is obviously something wrong with the image that contains the
dual-boot. What is in your boot.ini file?

What OS was installed first? Vista or XP?

Have a look at this post:

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...installation_setup/msg/e05b319fcc05c9d6?hl=en

If you still have questions, I'd post to *that* group. Good luck.