XP restarts everytime I log in - help!

[NerdyGrl]

Everytime I log-in to to Windows XP (Home) after about 10 seconds the entire
computer restarts. There is no error message. The screen just goes black and
reboots back to the log in screen. This happens every time and there is not
variation in time amount before restart.

I'm not sure what is wrong or what to do, but here are things that I have
tried:

I CAN log in to safe mode and access my files.

I tried to start up windows from last known working configuration but that
just repeated the original problem. It restarted after logging in. Same deal.

I also read somewhere to change my settings to not automatically restart
after a system failure. I saw that option on the safe mode boot screen and
selected it. Hoping to get the blue screen of death with the error message,
but it did not work. It just restarted windows again.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[neil]

Hi,
In safemode you could try system restore. If you know when this started is
there a restore point before that time.?
Otherwise you may need to do a repair install, do you have a XP disk.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Neil

 

[Nepatsfan]

Everytime I log-in to to Windows XP (Home) after about 10 seconds the entire
computer restarts. There is no error message. The screen just goes black and
reboots back to the log in screen. This happens every time and there is not
variation in time amount before restart.

I'm not sure what is wrong or what to do, but here are things that I have
tried:

I CAN log in to safe mode and access my files.

I tried to start up windows from last known working configuration but that
just repeated the original problem. It restarted after logging in. Same deal.

I also read somewhere to change my settings to not automatically restart
after a system failure. I saw that option on the safe mode boot screen and
selected it. Hoping to get the blue screen of death with the error message,
but it did not work. It just restarted windows again.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Since you can boot into Safe mode OK, you need to determine what program,
process, or driver is being loaded that prevents the computer from booting into
normal mode. In Safe mode, you might want to check the Application and System
branches of Event Viewer for clues. Event Viewer can be accessed through Control
Panel -> Administrative tools.

Take a look at these articles for more help on this issue.

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Unknown]

In control panel, system, advanced, remove x from 'restart on failure' so
you can view the error.

 

[NerdyGrl]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your quick reply and help!
This actually started in January, one day out of the blue. We have Trend
Micro virus protection and it had been doing some very wacky things in the
days before and then this just suddenly happened. It made me so mad (usually
I can bring things back to life with my limited skills) I just left it alone
until yesterday.

I don't have a restore point. I don't really bother because I only use this
computer (which is my oldest and probably takes the most abuse) for downloads
and such. But I do have my XP disks and was considering doing a repair
install after I got whatever files I wanted from safe mode. I wasn't sure how
to do this but it looks like your link will help.

Much Appreciation,
Megan (Nerdygrl)

 

[NerdyGrl]

Nepatsfan,

First, thank you for your quick reply and help.
I did look at the event viewer but did not really know what I was looking
at. Should I be looking for something specific and writing it down?

Thanks,

Megan (Nerdygrl)

 

[NerdyGrl]

Hi! Thanks for the help!
I did try this and it did not work. I just keeps restarting...

Thanks,

Megan (nerdygrl)

 

[Unknown]

Can you get to a point where you can click start---run--and type in
msconfig. click OK. Select startup tab and configure
your start up?

 

[NerdyGrl]

Only in safemode, it restarts too quickly to do that otherwise.

 

[Unknown]

Try removing all X's in your startup folder in msconfig startup tab. Then
restart.

 

[Norman Funk]

Check your desktop shortcuts for damage, I have had another customer who had
some shortcuts that did not have targets have the same problem you are
seeing. Does your PC give an error message "Unable to find 'null'" this is
another symptom of the problem.