Windows XP boot/unboot

[Guest]

I recently was working with my wife's school laptop where there had been no
internet for routine upgrades. I was clearing a virus infection with
W32/Rungbu.A, and XP updates were loading concurrently. When the antivirus
asked me to reboot, the program was at 81% in the XP updates.l

After rebooting, the computer comes to the user sign-in screen, then says it
is installing the user's parameters; then it shifts to saving them as with
the sign-off screen.

I have tried using Safe Mode; no difference. I have tried going back to the
last known successful configuaration--several times--and no difference. It
does not let me get into the program long enough to have a command prompt.

 

[Guest]

Since you get the loading pahse, you can get the "Safe Mode with Command
Prompt" boot option.

HOW TO Start System Restore Tool from Command Prompt (Q304449):
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q304/4/49.asp

 

[Oliver]

Yes, doing that from the command line is the only option how you can
do that.

I once had the same problem, and I do not use system recovery, so I
had to use reg.exe to manually change my registry. If you also do not
have a system recovery entry point, you should get an export of
another computer the damaged section of your registry and then import
it there.

I only fixed it like that, because I think it is uncool to reinstall
the system, but this maybe would be the fastest way for you?