1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Resolved Computer stuck in reboot

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Vicki, 2011/02/28.

  1. 2011/02/28
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    Not sure how to explain the problem I'm having except just as the title states--the computer is stuck in reboot.

    When I powered on the computer, it went through the normal starting process up to the display of the Windows XP screen, but then the screen turns black and the whole start up process repeats.

    I have tried starting in safe mode, but after selecting that option, it lists many files (?) from the windows/system32....I believe all are drivers that are listed there. Then it restarts the whole reboot thing again.

    I'm hoping that there's a "computer illerate" fix for this and that my hard drive isn't toast!

    (I'm posting this from a borrowed laptop as I cannot access the internet via my rebooting computer!)

    Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

    Regards,
    Vicki
     
  2. 2011/02/28
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,899
    Likes Received:
    510
    Hi Vicki. When you boot up the computer, press F8 on startup and select Last Known Good Configuration. Does the computer boot up normally?

    Do you have a Windows XP CD that you can boot the computer from?
     

  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2011/03/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    Use the F8 boot option and when at the boot menu select to disable automatically reboot and see if get any error screen.

    If no joy then most likely your computer is infected with malware and you'll need to use a antivirus cdrom to boot the computer.
     
  5. 2011/03/01
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    Thank you both for taking the time to reply and to try and assist me!

    Evan--I did try the last configuration thing....no change, still goes into the reboot loop. I don't have a WinXP CD for this messed up computer, but do have the one from my son's. My computer is WinXP Pro, his is WinXP Home. Will that make a difference if I should need to use it?

    Tony--whew, took awhile for me to try and get to the "disable automatic reboot ", but finally managed to get it done! I did receive a blue screened message "A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer......"

    "Unmountable Boot Volume "

    It also went on to explain about having installed new hardware, software etc. (which I have not done).

    At the very bottom of that message was a message about "Technical information" Stop 0x00000ED (0x8675F900, 0xC000006, 0X000000, 0x000000)

    I'll have to admit, this certainly has me worried! :(
     
  6. 2011/03/01
    Xchekker94

    Xchekker94 Inactive

    Joined:
    2009/12/08
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    1
    There should be some information at the top of the Stop Screen as well. Could you post that information if it is there?

    If you can locate either a Windows XP or Windows Vista installation CD there are recovery options that you could try to salvage the hard drive. The Vista CD is self explanatory.

    Let it boot up with the CD/DVD and then choose SYSTEM RECOVERY OPTIONS.

    First try the Startup Repair option and reboot normally, if that doesn't work, reboot using the CD/DVD, and select SYSTEM RECOVERY OPTIONS again.

    This time choose System Restore. When System Restore loads, it will ask you to choose a date. Go back to a date prior to the date that the PC started having problems. Sometimes a Windows Update or a driver update can install incorrectly and cause this problem.

    If this doesn't fix the problem, reboot on the CD/DVD again choose SYSTEM RESTORE OPTIONS and this time choose Command Prompt. the command prompt will be a black screen with white letters. At the command prompt, type the following command:

    chkdsk C: /r

    This command will check the disk for errors and repair them. Then reboot.

    If none of these otions work, then then next option you have is a re-installation of the operating system.

    Good luck
     
  7. 2011/03/01
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/05/01
    Messages:
    4,012
    Likes Received:
    16
    Unmountable Boot Volume

    If this procedure does not work, repeat it and use the fixboot command instead of the chkdsk /r command. FIXBOOT writes a new partition boot sector to the system partition. The fixboot command is only available when you are using the Recovery Console.
     
    Last edited: 2011/03/01
  8. 2011/03/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    Do NOT NOT use System Restore.
    Follow markp62's instructions above.
     
  9. 2011/03/02
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    Questions before I begin

    First of all, thank you all for steering me in the right direction in order to try and resolve this issue. But before I begin, I do have a couple of questions.

    When do I insert the cd? If I turn on the computer, it goes into the reboot process continually. Should I open the cd drawer manually (with a paper clip) to insert the cd and then start up the computer?

    In the last part of the instructions from the link that Markp62 provided, it states "At the command prompt, type exit , and then press ENTER to restart your computer ". Should I remove the cd before I press the enter to restart the computer?

    As you have probably guessed, I'm not very computer literate and appreciate your help in guiding me through this!

    Regards,
    Vicki
     
  10. 2011/03/02
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,899
    Likes Received:
    510
    You need to boot the computer using a Windows XP CD. Turn the computer on and insert the cd into the cd drive. If the computer doesn't boot from the cd then you will have to enter the computers BIOS and change the boot order so that the cd drive is the first boot device.

    When you first power on the computer and you see the manufacturers logo there will be a button that says to press a certain key to enter setup. The key on most computers is F1, F2, or Delete. Once you enter the BIOS you will need to change the boot order to the cd drive.

    After you are done in the BIOS save the changes. When the computer boots you will get a prompt that says press a key to boot from CD. When you press a key at that time the computer will boot from the Windows XP CD.

    No you don't have to remove the cd before you press enter. Just remove the disk after the computer reboots.
     
    Last edited: 2011/03/02
  11. 2011/03/02
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    Turn on the computer and open the cdrom, stick in the cd. The comp will porobably reboot automatically because of the existiong error. Just be patient.

    After typing exit & pressing enter, yes, remove the cd.
     
  12. 2011/03/02
    Xchekker94

    Xchekker94 Inactive

    Joined:
    2009/12/08
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    1
    Just curious as to why you recommend not to use System Restore.

    I've had great success using it to repair computers that have had a corrupted installation of Windows Updates or a new driver. Even if it doesn't work there is no loss of data.
     
  13. 2011/03/02
    Xchekker94

    Xchekker94 Inactive

    Joined:
    2009/12/08
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    1
    Insert the CDROM and reboot. At some point your computer should give you the command to 'press any key to boot from CD" . If that command doesn't pop up, reboot and look carefully before the Windows splash screen for F-key commands.

    It may say press F1 for BIOS and F10 for boot menu. This is just an example. If you post the equipment make and model we could get you accurate access to the boot menu.

    Hopefully you'll just get the "press any key..." command, and go from there.
     
    Last edited: 2011/03/02
  14. 2011/03/03
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    System Restore will not correct the Master Boot Record of the hard drive nor will it correct a corrupted file system. The eror is "Unmountable Boot Volume ".

    Some malware corrupts the Master Boot Record or renders the disk unmountable, meaning Windows cannot mount the volume, i.e. make the volume readable/writable; usable.

    A restore point is made every 24 hours and if the computer has malware the restore points will be infected.

    Thus, do not use System Restore for this particulat issue.
     
  15. 2011/03/03
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    Good news and bad news

    I was able to use the CD to run the chkdsk /r command (boy did that take awhile to complete!) Thought all was well as everything had returned to my desktop, etc. However, I wasn't able to connect to the internet. (Showed the "little or no connectivity" in my system tray).

    As it was late when all this had finished, I decided to shut the computer down and try again in the morning. Only when it was shutting down, I received an error message about "this program is not responding...." referring to a rundll32.exe. I chose end now and the computer shut down.

    This morning I went to start up the computer (hoping that all would be well) only to find it won't completely boot. It gets as far as the WindowsXP screen and then goes black. But it doesn't go into the rebooting process.

    My next question is, if I am instructed to use the "fixboot" command as the next step, will this wipe out any of my saved things on the computer? (i.e pictures, documents, etc.)

    I only have one hard drive and it is not "partitionened ".

    I certainly do appreciate the help I've been receiving!! Not sure if I will have time to work on this for a few days as we have to be out of town. So I apologize in advance if I don't reply right away.

    Regards,
    Vicki
     
  16. 2011/03/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,899
    Likes Received:
    510
    No. Running the fixboot command will not effect any of your data. When you boot from the Windows XP CD and you start the recovery console run the fixboot command and the fixmbr command. When you run the fixmbr command you will be prompted if you wish to write a new master boot record, press the Y key which is Yes. After those two commands finish reboot the computer and see if it will boot up.
     
  17. 2011/03/03
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    More questions

    Thank you Evan Omo for reassuring me about not losing any of my saved/personal data!

    I have to apologize but I am a little confused about the commands I am to use (i.e fixboot and fixmbr) :eek:

    I know that it needs to be done at the prompt, but are they done separately? together?

    Thanks again for your assistance (and patience!)

    ~Vicki
     
  18. 2011/03/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,899
    Likes Received:
    510
    Run the fixboot command first. Press enter and wait until it finishes. Then run the fixmbr command. When that command finishes exit the recovery console and reboot the machine.

    So enter each command one at a time and press enter after entering each command.
     
  19. 2011/03/04
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    Vicki,

    Just so you understand, the fixboot command writes a new boot sector on the hard drive. This is a small section of the hard drive that contains code that enables the operating system to boot.

    The fixmbr command writes a new master boot record. This is located at the first sector of the hard drive. This usually contains code that is used to locate the active partition and its boot record.

    It sounds to me like you have some type of malware infection whiich alters these sections of the drive in an attempt to render your computer unbootable.

    I suggest that you do this:

    1. boot from the cd
    2. run the commands stated above
    3. immediately boot the computer into Safe Mode with Networking.
    (use the F8 key and select that in the boot menu)
    4. if Internet is working, download Malwarebytes antimalware, install it, update it and do a full scan.
    5. report results.

    If repair the boot sections using the commands given, if you have an infection, it will re-infect if you boot into normal mode. rundll32.exe is a Windows program which is used for executing other programs, it should not be running at shutdown. It's probably used for running some type of virus in your case.
     
  20. 2011/03/12
    Vicki

    Vicki Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    7
    First of all I wish apologize for taking so long to respond (was out of town longer than I had anticipated) and also to thank everyone for coming to my aid.

    I thought I was on the way to resolving the issue (boot problem), but it seemed sometimes it would work and then other times it wouldn't. I already had Malwarebytes installed (quite some time ago) and had initially suspected something had sneaked in, but all the scans came up negative.

    Fearing the worst (harddrive failure), I finally broke down and took the road trip to my brother-in-law (who originally built my computer) to have him check it out. He confirmed that was what was happening, so he's in the process of obtaining a new hard drive for me.

    Again, thanks to all for trying to help!
    ~Vicki
     
  21. 2011/03/12
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

    Joined:
    2006/09/10
    Messages:
    7,899
    Likes Received:
    510
    Your Welcome. Hopefully by getting the harddrive replaced the computer will be able to boot normally and not reboot itself. Good Luck. ;)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.