Windows XP Boot Loop

[mjkovis]

This is the 3rd maybe 4th time this has happened on my older desktop... This problem happens about 5-6 months of easy use, internet, word processing and a few small programs running. When booting up I get to the Windows splash screen and then once it fades out to go to the log in screen it boots right back into a loop and starts over again.

I have tried new RAM 3 times!! All have been compatible and it always seems I have to reinstall. It has a new hard drive as well from the last time it did this. Any other suggestions? I am actually thinking about buying a newer motherboard for a spare socket 939 I have laying around, a new copy of XP or Vista (of course!) and whatever else I need and going that route. My motherboard is probably 5 years old, ASUS A7N8X Deluxe w/ and AMD XP 3200+ that is brand new (maybe a year old). The RAM is Corsair XMS PC3200 (I think, may have to look). Sound cards is a SB Audigy and the video is a MSI Ti4200.

[glc]

If it's XP SP2, hit F8 to get the boot menu and use disable restart on error - this will bluescreen it instead of rebooting. If it will start in safe mode you can disable restart on error permanently in control panel, system, advanced, startup and recovery. Bluescreens are the only real clues that you will have to the source of this problem.

Admin note - please read this thread:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=170266

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by glc If it's XP SP2, hit F8 to get the boot menu and use disable restart on error - this will bluescreen it instead of rebooting. If it will start in safe mode you can disable restart on error permanently in control panel, system, advanced, startup and recovery. Bluescreens are the only real clues that you will have to the source of this problem.

I totally forgot to remember to try Safe Mode again. Usually when I have it still doesnt work (With this problem).

My Note: Sorry, did not know anything about the signatures. Have not been here in a while! I hardly frequent the forums anymore since I have been so busy. Ill disable my sig. Thanks for the note GLC.

[mjkovis]

Ok, I used Safe Mode to try and boot XP up to no avail. I first tried to disable the reboot first to see what error code I got which was a complete System Fail 0xc000026c. It gave no other device or driver error just the code and System Fail.

I tried booting with Last Know Good and Safe Mode a few times and still no boot. What's next? Try to stick the XP cd back in to do a repair?

[chuck4456]

Exactly how new is your hard drive? Did you just install it? Based on the age that you have stated, I'm guessing that it is IDE. How do you have it jumpered? Is your CDROM enabled as your FIRST BOOT DEVICE? Get back to us.

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 Exactly how new is your hard drive? Did you just install it? Based on the age that you have stated, I'm guessing that it is IDE. How do you have it jumpered? Is your CDROM enabled as your FIRST BOOT DEVICE? Get back to us.

Hard drive was replaced last time I reinstalled, which about 6-9 months ago. IDE cables ok and its all jumpered correctly. This is not a new build by any means. CDROM doesnt need to be enabled as first boot device. I adjust that accordingly when I need to reinstall or repair.

[Great_One]

See if this helps.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315241

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by Great_One See if this helps. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315241

Yeah, already looked at that. It doesnt.

I have tried doing repairs on the XP install and when I repair it will get past installing devices and reboots again.

[kev7555]

I had a laptop in the shop that kept doing this periodically. It would work fine for a month or two and then suddenly come with the same error and no boot. I'd end up having to re-install Windows every time. Turned out to be an intermittent connection on the power supply adapter cord (probably spiking), which finally failed completely. After replacing it, the problem went away.

Based on that, my first suspicion would be to look towards the power supply as the culprit, especially on an older desktop.

-Kev

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by kev7555 I had a laptop in the shop that kept doing this periodically. It would work fine for a month or two and then suddenly come with the same error and no boot. I'd end up having to re-install Windows every time. Turned out to be an intermittent connection on the power supply adapter cord (probably spiking), which finally failed completely. After replacing it, the problem went away. Based on that, my first suspicion would be to look towards the power supply as the culprit, especially on an older desktop. -Kev

Kev, I believe I have come to the same conclusion to try that first. Im also thinking about replacing the AGP video card as well as taking out the sound card and using the onboard sound. I dont really need a good sound card since this desktop is not used for gaming.