Windows XP won't start up

[Guest]

I tried starting up my computer this morning and it came up with an error
message saying that it didnt shut down properly and it showed a screen that
gave me the option of starting windows normally, in safe mode, or with the
last good config. I tried using all the options and when i picked each of
them, it goes to the next screen where it shows Windows XP Professional and
it has the little green bar thing moving. Then the computer reboots and the
process starts all over again. I don't know what is going on, and I just
can't figure it out. I have some important stuff on the computer that I
really don't want to lose, is there any way to fix the problem with out
losing my data?

 

[Guest]

Does it restart even when starting safe mode? If so then I would guess at one
of 3 things:

1) Damaged RAM, download http://www.memtest86.com
2) Corrupt Hard Drive, Start the recovery console as described in
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q314058 and then run
the command chkdsk /r
3) Corrupt Registry, follow the FAQ I wrote here
http://www.tek-tips.com/gfaqs.cfm/lev2/67/lev3/70/pid/779/fid/5362

If they do not work let me know and I will suggest something else