Win XP reboots constantly

**Fierce** · May 17th, 2004, 10:13 AM

I have a buddy that has a PC problem, he explained to me that he is running XP, and when he boots the PC up, he gets to the screen which gives him the option of booting "Normal", "Safe Mode", "Safe Mode with Prompts", etc....and no matter which selection he chooses the PC will reboot and go back to the selection screen.

Any suggestions on how to fix? I haven't seen the machines, this is on explaination.

Thanks in advance!

**TripleRLtd** · May 17th, 2004, 10:19 AM

At what point does it reboot? If while logging in you'll need to disable "Automatically Restart" in System Properties/Advanced/Startup and Recovery. If not then we need to know the error message or start troubleshooting the hardware. At this point we need more info though.
Try booting with the XP CD and trying repair console chkdsk as well.

**Fierce** · May 17th, 2004, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

At what point does it reboot? If while logging in you'll need to disable "Automatically Restart" in System Properties/Advanced/Startup and Recovery. If not then we need to know the error message or start troubleshooting the hardware. At this point we need more info though.
Try booting with the XP CD and trying repair console chkdsk as well.

He is saying that once he makes any selection, that the PC will instantly reboot and bring him back to the screen asking him to select "Normal", "Safe mode", etc....

**TripleRLtd** · May 17th, 2004, 01:20 PM

Well then: take out all cards but the vga (and hopes it's not that) and try booting. Test the ram with memtest. Boot from the xp cd and go to repair console and do a chkdsk One step at a time, so you will need to be there if he has no xperience.

**computron99** · May 17th, 2004, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Well then: take out all cards but the vga (and hopes it's not that) and try booting. Test the ram with memtest. Boot from the xp cd and go to repair console and do a chkdsk One step at a time, so you will need to be there if he has no xperience.

TripleRLtd is correct. Follow those instructions. If the hardware is fine, you may also want to try an "In-Place" installation of XP. That has fixed that problem more times than one for me here. Boot to the XP Cd, select "Install XP", agree to the licence, then after it finds your previous installation, press R to repair. It won't loose any data, but you will have to install ny WinXP updates.

Hope this helps.

**rgharper** · May 17th, 2004, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Well then: take out all cards but the vga (and hopes it's not that) and try booting. Test the ram with memtest. Boot from the xp cd and go to repair console and do a chkdsk One step at a time, so you will need to be there if he has no xperience.

One further piece of advice - if you remove hardware and the computer starts up normally or in Safe Mode, before going any further you should right-click My Computer and select Properties, select the Advanced tab, then click the Settings button under "Startup and Recovery". Un-check the option to automatically restart in case of an error. If the unexpected reboot is being caused by a hardware or driver error you will then be able to see the reason. Might save you having to reinstall, if you can narrow the problem down to one component or driver.

**DocPC** · May 17th, 2004, 07:30 PM

Boot to the repair console. Type fixboot and follow instructions. Type in fixmbr and do the same. Then type in disable mup. See if it boots then. If not, you will most likely be looking at at least an overlay install.

EDIT: HI DOUGIE! Been a long time and I just realized it was you!

**greebo** · May 18th, 2004, 01:02 PM

Are there any error messages?
Have you time enough before the reboot to check the systemor application logs?
Are you sure you haven't got the Sasser worm or one of its variants?
Have you kept up to date with the security updates and your anti'virus definitions?

**greebo** · May 18th, 2004, 01:04 PM

ps.... really sorry, I mean has your friend done these things...

**Icouldgo41** · May 18th, 2004, 07:58 PM

I had the EXACT problem with an XP Home install. Just before it re-booted I caught a glimpse of a BSOD but could'nt read it. I ran fixboot, fixmbr, etc. etc. to no avail. After doing an inplace re-install the same re-booting took place.

I had already pulled all the hair out I could afford to lose and was searching around for something to hit the silly thing with when I found my Power Max repair disk. I ran the short test and got a code for S.M.A.R.T. not working right. I don't remember the code but after doing the long test it gave me the option of fixing the drive. Which I did. On the following boot it went right into Windows like nothing had ever happened. After running all the updates the system has been perfect for over a week.

Download the diag. prog. from your drives manufacturer and run it.

Jeff

**Rascall** · May 18th, 2004, 08:05 PM

Most of the replies I have read are correct, However, I have found this to be an issue. XP has a hard time moving from one machine to another. The difference in hardware causes the problem. If you can get to it and turn off the automatic reboot on error then you should be able to remove all drivers currently installed. After re-installing the drivers your problem should go away. Doing this will not cause any loss of data. The only other option is to format and start from scratch.