computer will not boot just restarts

[sugarpeach3]

Hi, My question is...... My step daughters computer i removed it from her house to try and fix it for her.......WELL when i start the boot process it goes along fine, then it gets up to Windows XP screen and then goes dirtectly back to restarting the boot.... It will do this for hours........ i want to just reformat the hard drive or just buy another if it is worth it (since it isnt at my house) i didnt think you could format in dos on xp because it is not a dos based system..... so how do i do it? i have no disk drive.... and i placed my XP disk in the rom and it didnt help......
what do i do now ?

[joefido]

What brand of computer is it? Have you tried to boot into "Safe Mode"? If not, while it is booting repeatedly push the "F8" key. If you're able to get to the Advanced Start Up options, First try the "Last Good Configuration". If that doesn't work and you can get back to Advanced Start Up, try to start in "Safe Mode", then use the "System Restore" utility.

[drmsucks]

If the Last Good Configuration doesn't work but you can boot into Safe Mode, disable Automatic Restart on errors. Post the error message on the next failed boot.

Control Panel>System>Advanced Tab>Startup and Recovery>Settings> deselect Auto Restart.

[Sky Ninja]

If this is the case of a stop error, wouldn't that give him the BSOD? I'm not that experienced with this type of thing. I'm pretty experienced with stop errors, but I have no clue if this is one or something worse.

[drmsucks]

If this is the case of a stop error, wouldn't that give him the BSOD? I'm not that experienced with this type of thing. I'm pretty experienced with stop errors, but I have no clue if this is one or something worse.

With the system set to restart on errors, the system won't display a BSOD, or, any other error,  because it restarts before it can display. Hopefully, the OP can disable this feature and display an error message.

[sugarpeach3]

i have tried safe mode and Windows XP recover as it boots up and all the boot up choices that were givin including the last good configuration.... but when it starts to load windows ..... then it turns off and does a restart and never makes it in to windows ..... and by the way it is a compaq presario sr1215cl..... which my be my problem ...hahaha

[drmsucks]

If you just want to re-install Windows, download and run: http://www.dban.org/. This will completely wipe the hard drive *YOU WILL LOSE ALL DATA*. Then, boot to your Windows CD, partition, format and re-install Windows.

If you want to try to resolve the problem without clearing the hard drive, post back.

Best of luck.

[sugarpeach3]

I dont care about losing and information on this computer..... but how do i load a program in this computer when windows will not boot up...... it starts booting up and then goes down and reboots and goes down over and over and over for hours till i just turn it off....  what do i need to do to get in to the computer to do these things that everyone is telling me to do???

[drmsucks]

and i placed my XP disk in the rom and it didnt help......

When you tried to boot from the Windows CD, what happened? Did you have the CD set as the first boot device? Is this a Microsoft CD or a Recovery Disk from Compaq?

To enter the BIOS to change the boot order, turn on the computer and press F1 while computer is starting. (If this model is from 2001, try F10.) Look for a section in the BIOS called Boot Order or Boot Sequence or similar. Make the CD drive the first boot device. Exit and "save changes."

Please answer the questions and let us know if you were successful changing the boot order. The CD that you have will determine the next step.

[sugarpeach3]

i have already tryied that, and it starts up trying and the loading XP screen comes up then it goes off and restarts again over and over and over again..... i just want to get in the DOS and format the C: thats the point that i am at now.. like you could in the old days

[drmsucks]

Take your pick: http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

[sugarpeach3]

can i download that to a cd because this computer does not have a disk drive

[reddevilggg]

Do all the fans start  when you boot up, this could be a power problem??

[Chir6]

So you've decided to reinstall you operating system to get that freshie feeling of security that only a fresh installation can give you.  If you have determined that system to be FUBAR and are comfortable with the idea of losing data on those hard drives you'll be happy to learn that you will be able to format both those hard drives during the Operating System Installation process.  Just insert a boot from your Windows Installation disk, (have your key handy) and follow the on screen prompts.  You will need to delete the partitions that are there on each drive, then create a partition on each of the two drive, then format the first one to be the C drive (choosing full takes more time but more throughly formats the disks) and format the second disk at a later time with disk manager.  But you system will be completely fresh.  Install all available windows updates, then head over to [link removed - Zylstra] for a complete anti-malware defense suite for your pc and or entire home workgoup.  Good luck with the freshie OS!

Moderator note:
We dont mind links to OneCare, even though there are better free alternatives, however, we do not want affiliate programs running on CH. That would be considered SPAM.

[drmsucks]

can i download that to a cd because this computer does not have a disk drive

I don't know if there are any images there for CD's.

Try this: http://partitionlogic.org.uk/