Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: grady.hughes006 on August 21, 2013, 11:52:27 AM

Title: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: grady.hughes006 on August 21, 2013, 11:52:27 AM: Hi everyone! My parent's PC seems to be having some trouble. Usually I am able to troubleshoot it for them and get it up and running, but this one seems to be giving me some problems. Apparently, at some point over the last few days, the computer froze completely. My mother was forced to do a hard reset on it. Now, when we try to restart the computer, it shows the motherboard screen, then gives you the boot option since Windows was not shut down properly, then starts to load Windows XP, but for a split second, it looks like the "blue screen of death" pops up, then it loops back to the very start of the boot up sequence.

I have tried booting into safe mode, but the same thing happens. At this point, I am kind of stuck. Here are the PC specs -

Windows XP
Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHZ
512MB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT video card

Thank you very much for any help.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: Allan on August 21, 2013, 12:09:18 PM: Reboot and tap the F8 (function) key continuously until it takes you to the advanced boot option screen. Select "disable restart on error" and reboot. Then post the entire contents of the blue screen error in your next post.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: grady.hughes006 on August 21, 2013, 12:14:54 PM: Thanks - here is what popped up

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove and newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select startup options, and select Safe Mode.

Technical information:

STOP: 0x000000ED (0x86F2F920, 0xC0000006, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: Allan on August 21, 2013, 12:20:09 PM: Boot to the recovery console and run chkdsk /r

Let it run to completion.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: grady.hughes006 on August 21, 2013, 01:54:49 PM: For whatever reason, they seem to have lost their windows CD. I am trying to find my own, and will let you know how it goes when I do. Thank you very much for the help so far!
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: grady.hughes006 on September 03, 2013, 01:47:37 PM: Sorry for the long delay, finally got a hold of a CD. I ran the recovery console, and ran chkdsk /r, then a line comes up and says "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: patio on September 03, 2013, 02:02:49 PM: The HDD seems to have gone South if chkdsk won't fix it...sorry 'bout your/their loss.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: Allan on September 03, 2013, 02:04:09 PM: I agree with patio - you should replace the hard drive.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: grady.hughes006 on September 03, 2013, 02:05:47 PM: That's kind of what I figured too...thanks for the help guys. Any way of getting some of the files off the hard drive at all? I know there were pics and stuff on there that they probably want...
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: Joe on March 12, 2017, 11:15:37 AM: 3/11/17

I installed a new motherboard and processor and had this problem. Got a new motherboard, after checking power supply and finding it good. The computer would not start up. After much checking, and double-checking, I concluded the arc fault circuit breaker in my electrical panel was the culprit. Have had no problems since changing the circuit breaker to a regular one. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Computer won't start...keeps looping during startup
Post by: patio on March 12, 2017, 12:02:21 PM: He hasn't been back for 4 years now...