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XP constantly rebooting

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by clitwin13, 2011/08/20.

  1. 2011/08/20
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    A friend computer (Dell Optiplex 745C Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300, 6300@ 1.86 GHz, 0.97GB RAM running Windows XP Home Edition version:2002 SP3) recently started going into a reboot loop. When starting up in Normal Mode the system will allow you to select the user and once the background is up and the icons and taskbar begin to populate it stops. A blank light blue screen appears (not the BSOD) and then it shuts down and begins to reboot. I am able to successfully run SAFE MODE and even access the Internet via SAFE MODE with NETWORKING but that is it. I searched the related previous posts and don't think it would be a memory problem if all of the data and documents are accessible and functioning in SAFE MODE (unless I am wrong). I see on the Windows site that some systems without Intel chips have the problem when SP3 is installed but the unit sticker indicates an Intel vPro chip. Has anyone ever seen these symptoms before?
     
    clitwin13,
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  2. 2011/08/20
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi clitwin13. The fact that the computer runs in Safe Mode with no problems indicates that a background program or a service is causing the computer to reboot. Malware could be a possibility but I'm not sure.

    Did this problem just happen recently? Was there any hardware or software change made to the system prior to this problem occurring? Have you tried running System Restore on the computer and restoring the system to a date before the problem started happening?

    In Safe Mode try following the instructions here, How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state.

    After following the instructions, reboot the computer into normal mode and see if it reboots.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  4. 2011/08/21
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Terminator....Thank you for the response. The reality of the problem is that the owner of the PC let someone else "clean it up" and neither they nor I know what actions were taken. I only know that Chrome was installed by the person (which has been subsequently removed) but what other actions or programs will remain a question mark. Yes, it is a recent occurrance totally associated (at least time wise) with this persons' involvement. I will follow the "clean boot" instructions later today and report back (as I am not in possession of the affected unit). Thanks again... ckl
     
    clitwin13,
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  5. 2011/08/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Ok great. Keep me posted on how the process goes.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  6. 2011/08/21
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Attempted the "clean boot" (multiple times)as per instructions to no avail. Also removed all unnecessary programs and attempted to do a restore to a date prior to the other individuals access to the system. Also no luck. The system restore message stated that it couldn't be done as no system reconfiguration was effected in the interim. Back where I started though eliminating possible fixes along the way...ckl
     
    clitwin13,
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  7. 2011/08/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    At this point I would rule out the possibility of a malware infection.

    The computer could have been infected with something nasty so before we rule out a hardware problem I want to make sure the computer is clean.

    Please read this and post a new thread in the Malware and Virus Removal Forum.

    Once the computer has been declared clean then post back in this thread and we will go from there.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  8. 2011/08/21
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Read one blog fix that attributed the rebooting to a memory slot issue... So for lack of anything better I tried swapping the cards and using other slots. I am still back where I began. I need to shut down for now, will research more fixes and wait for any additional feedback. Next attempt will commence tomorrow. ....ckl
     
    clitwin13,
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  9. 2011/08/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Ok cool.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  10. 2011/08/21
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    You got it ... will post and assume for the moment that we are dealing with malware...Thanks for working me through this...ckl
     
    clitwin13,
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  11. 2011/08/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    No Problem.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  12. 2011/08/22
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Please note the heading for the Malware Post is "XP Rebooting in normal startup" and will be posted shortly with reference back to this forum.
     
    clitwin13,
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  13. 2011/08/22
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Great. I'll be monitoring that thread to see if your computer is indeed infected or not.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  14. 2011/08/23
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Have a look in your Event Log to find more information.

    To open Event Viewer, go to Start > Run and type eventvwr.msc, click OK.

    Check your System logs for errors.

    You can double click on any error for more details, and there is also a button to copy the error to your clipboard for easy copying & pasting.
     
    Arie,
    #13

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