Startup Error

[touchstone57]

Hello there.

I have been having a few problems getting Windows XP to start up.

When ever I start up, it goes past the usual BIOS startup etc. then after the Windows logo a blue screen flashes past, though too fast to read, and then the system restarts again. Given the option to start up in safe mode I do, but with the same problems, (as well as other modes) with continous restarts.

Worse still, I went to get the Windows XP disc to do a repair/reformat and there was a big crack in it!

What can I do?

Thanks

[squall_01]

Does it keep restarting.  Like once you enter windows?  You could try asking windows to replace it but if its too old you will have to get a new copy.

[touchstone57]

Just after the Windows loading screen (on the black background). The blue screen flash then restart.

[patio]

In safemode go to Control Panel/System/Advanced/Startup and Recovery and uncheck "restart on errors".
You will now get bsod's instead of restarts...post the complete error messages here.

[touchstone57]

Safe mode does not work as I mentioned, the computer just restarts even when you select it....

[patio]

Then we'll have to start over...post as much info on the system, OS any new hardware/software installed and what happened prior to this and we'll get going.

[Flip81]

how old is your system?  I see this kind of thing alot.  There's a good chance that your hard drive is going bad.  You would need a bootable diagnostic CD to find out.

[squall_01]

One of two things, the HD is going bad or you get what we call the monkey virus.  REstarts the pc constinuely. 

[touchstone57]

Well my HDD is about two years old and my overall system is about 1 year old. I dont know about a virus, wouldnt it need for me to at least get in Windows to start working? not just after the bios? Also, whats this diagnostic CD mentioned? Where can I get it?

[touchstone57]

Wait. I just remember yesterday I used a File Recovery program, which scans for previosly uninstalled and deleted files, could this be affecting my HD? If so, what do I do?

In a day or too I may be able to test the HD in another machine.

[squall_01]

hmmm...  Its not if it fails it when or something.  You could have a new one and it could be bad.  No, the monkey virus restarts the pc as soon as you get into windows and loops it to restart.  It test fdor problems  on the hd.  Good,  you mite have backed it up to a bad point,see if you cant go back any futher.  If the problem is on it, it will only say that it is the drive. 

[touchstone57]

Well I dont know how to do a recovery without going into Windows....where do I get this diagnostic from? I can burn it on a disc and boot up from there....

[Shynnie]

One thing you can do, is get the xp disc reinstall or repair your system. If the problem persist you will have to format if you are not scared to loose all your data. But one good pont is you can get all your things back by collecting them again..

You will have to replace your hard drive if it crashes...

[dahlarbear]

If the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) flashes by too fast to read, try to stop the reboot process.

Power up the computer, tapping the F8 key about once per second.  You should see the Windows Advanced Options menu.  Select the "Disable automatic restart on system failure" item to stop the reboot cycle.  Hopefully instead of rebooting, it will now stop on a BSOD.  If you get BSOD, copy the "exact" error message text and numbers and post here.  This information can be used to search Microsoft Knowledge Base and/or Internet for possible causes and resolution.

You could also try booting with the "Last known good configuration" item from the Windows Advanced Options menu.

[squall_01]

You mentioned that a blue screen shows up I think it mite be a blue screen of death.  Try and stop and put it on here.  I have to get back to you later but I don't think its a virus know.