XP Pro keeps restarting...

[Guest]

Here is what happen:

I went to do a restore point from 2 days ago, during the restore process the
computer got powered off and restarted.. Upon restart the computer will not
boot to windows... I checked MS site for help and it shows a command line to
do a sys restore but I cannot get to safe mode to apply..

I took an xp pro upgrade cd w/sp2 and started a repair, now the setup asks
for a keycode for an upgrade but am not doing an upgrade, just a repair...
Cannot use original keycode, and have activated the keycode from the cd on a
different machine...

Questions:

1) Should data still be there and intact for use? being that we did a repair
and not a restore or reinstall
2) can I back out of the upgrade and did it actually repair XP?
3) if I go forward with a used keycode, what could my options be with MS?

Please advise, if any one can help I will be forever in favor...

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[Guest]

Start your Computer and keep pressing F8 key, untill you see a new screen,
giving you options to
Start computer in Safe mode
Last known good Status
etc.

First of all, try the Last known good status option. In some cases it may be
helpful other wise try to start your computer in safe mode and then restore
your computer to an earlier restore point.

 

[peter]

here are the instructions for a "repair"installation
XP REPAIR
.............................................................................

Boot from the CD or you can insert the CD while at the windows desktop but
when the setup screen appears, exit setup and reboot. If your system is set
to be able to boot from the CD, it should detect the disk and give a brief
message, during the boot up, if you wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

My guess is you did not press "R" and therefore it started a fresh installation.
I would use the keycode from the CD just to get it instaled and working again.
Then use the original XP that came with that machine and do a repair changing
the key code to what it is supposed to be.
OR
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#18
peter