XP stuck in setup restart sequence

[jp222]

My daughter added a separate user account onto our computer's Windows XP
for her mom. After this, it would boot to the welcome screen, but neither my
account or mom's would respond. Tried several fixes from using F5, F8 and DEL
from the opening screen, without any luck. F5 gives me a myriad of safe mode
choices, F8 gives me a choice of booting from the hard drive or a CDROM, and
DEL gives me a setup with CMOS, BIOS, etc. After deleting mom's user account
from the safe mode, the results remained the same. I did a system recover
back to a week ago, which did work - but no effect on the welcome screen.
Tried to reinstall Windows XP Home, got to the key code. I must have missed
by a number, because it said the code was invalid. Using the F5 command, the
safe modes show up, but when engaged, don't give me an access - just a black
screen telling me I'm in safe mode. Using F8, I get "Setup is restarting",
and the system reboots itself. It will continue the cycle (opening screens,
Windows XP (black) screen, then the blue "Startup is restarting" screen, then
reboot continuously.

I followed the directions for a repair XP install. After rebooting, the same
sequence ending in the "Setup is restarting........." screen (blue) repeated
itself. It did say that it had tried before to repair the installation
unsuccessfully, but would try again.

Could you give me any ideas, or direct me to a site?

Thanks much,

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Setup may restart during the hardware detection phase of Windows XP
installation: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=891892&SD=tech
You have many symptoms of a failing hard drive. The maker of the drive may
have diagnostic software on their site you can download to test the drive.
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Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[db.·.. >]

well, firstly your daughter
should not have incurred
any errors because setting
up user accounts is a
provided feature.

what comes to mind is
that there were pre existing
file and disk issues. .

running defrag and chkdsk
is always a good idea to
provide some assurance
of file and disk integrity.

also, if i'm not mistaken
symentec antivirus can also
pose a problem if it is installed

------------------------

in addition to what mark
suggested, i would suggest
the following:

boot up with your windows
cd and log into the recovery
console.

in doing so you will gain
access to the disk and a disk
prompt will be provided.

at the prompt run these
commands:
chkdsk
fixboot

then type exit, reboot
without the cd and try
to access your windows
again.

if you can, then we are on
the right track and there
are some additional tips
we can provide.

however, if you cannot
boot up windows then
retry your repair installation
again. perhaps it will
run better because of the
checkdisk.

unfortunately, if the
repair still stalls, then
it is likely due to a
faulty component,
like a video board
or something.

it is a good idea to
remove / disconnect
any specialty items
temporarily while
repairing or reinstalling
windows.

keep in mind that if
a repair is unsuccessful,
then it would also be
unlikely that a full reinstallation
would help.

though there is also a
chance that a full reinstall
might resolve the dysfunctional
computer i would avoid this as it
would result in loss of data
and it is likely there are no
backups of your personal files.

 

[Daave]

I followed the directions for a repair XP install. After rebooting,
the same sequence ending in the "Setup is restarting........." screen
(blue) repeated itself. It did say that it had tried before to repair
the installation unsuccessfully, but would try again.

At which *exact* step does your problem occur? Use this page as a guide:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm