Restarts before I can even log in

[DangerousRaccoon]

After I turn it on I'm given the windows error recovery screen. With the "Launch Startup Repair" and "Start Normally" options.
While in Startup Repair I receive a notification that it can't be repaired automatically. So I enter system recovery options.
I've tried system restore but no checkpoints have been recorded. I have no backup to restore my computer and I've run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool with no memory hardware errors found. There is an option to run command prompt but I'm not sure what I can enter to fix this.
When I "Start Normally" it's fine for a while but blue screens before the log in screen. I can see there's an error code on the blue screen but it's only there for a fraction of a second and I can't read it. I've tried recording it and pausing but it's too blurry.

I've also started it in safe mode with the same results.

[patio]

One of those options at the boot screen should be "auto restart on errors"....disable it.
You will now be able to see your BSOD's.

Post the entire message including the gibberish.

[DangerousRaccoon]

I found the option you mentioned and disabled it. This is the error message:

STOP: c000021a {Fatal System Error}
The initial session process or system process terminated unexpectedly with a
status of 0x00000000 (0xc0000034 0x0010040c).
The system has been shut down.

Doesn't sound too good...

[Allan]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317189

[DangerousRaccoon]

The link couldn't help in my case, unfortunately.
The first thing it asks is to make a back-up of the registry and I wasn't able to do that because apparently 'rstui.exe' doesn't exist. Also, I wasn't given the Windows Vista installation CD with my laptop, it was already installed and I was given XP just in case I wanted to downgrade. So I can't make the parallel version of Windows as it asks.

I've heard an option is to format the hard drive, but I'd rather not. Is there another solution?

[Allan]

It's really  not a common error and I don't know of an alternative to what MS suggest. But perhaps someone else can think of something - stay tuned.