Windows XP Pro reverts to basic installed state

[sarahandus]

This is a random issue. When booting up the Windows configuration reverts
back to the initial install state, including asking to verify the in
installation. I can use system restore to restore the system back to what
the current configuration should be alright. But I would like to find out
why the thing reverts to basic install. It happens without anything new
being downloaded or settings changed.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Do you think your computer could be infected with malware?

 

[db]

the registry is a determinate
to the state of windows.

people that log in as "users"
can be denied permissions
to modify/update the registry
like during the installation of
a program.

however administrators have
full permissions.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
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~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[sarahandus]

No it isn't malware. I have run both the anti-virus and Microsoft's malware
removal tool.

Also, it isn't a matter of logging in, it just starts up that way.

 

[VanguardLH]

This is a random issue. When booting up the Windows configuration reverts
back to the initial install state, including asking to verify the in
installation. I can use system restore to restore the system back to what
the current configuration should be alright. But I would like to find out
why the thing reverts to basic install. It happens without anything new
being downloaded or settings changed.

Any disk save-state recovery utilities running, like Microsoft's
SteadyState, Returnil, Shadow(Surfer|Protect), BufferZone, or other
partition virtualization product?

Run a disk diag on your hard disk to ensure files, like for the
registry, aren't getting corrupted by a failing hard disk?