Pending: Can't boot , stuck in loop.

gee · 10-12-2008

Hi all. Wanted to run antivirus in safe mode (XP SP2). Pressed F8 during start-up and got to mode choice screen. Chose safe mode. It looped back to same screen, saying "Windows could not start up properly, possibly because of hardware or software changes," or along those lines. Chose "Start Windows normally" and all was fine. Really wanted to work in safe mode so I went to msconfig, boot.ini and chose safe mode. Restarted and got same problem, so no safe mode possible. Only now, I couldn't start in any mode. I have been through all the choices on that screen several times, but they all do the same thing: Start to begin booting with a black screen, sometimes files start speeding by in the lower part of the screen, then the BIOS check, and it's back to the mode choice screen with the same message at the top. I don't have the XP boot CDs. Any way I can reformat without those CDs? I don't mind the data loss. Thanks!

Gee

Pgh · 10-13-2008

Hi gee, welcome to PCHF!

did you update your BIOS before this or anything?

let me mark your thread open so a member of our tech team can see it needs dealing with.

Regards,
PGH

elpmek · 10-13-2008

What is the make and model of the PC?

Can you borrow an XP Cd from a friend?

gee · 10-13-2008

It is a home-build, I'm afraid. I bought it online. It's got AMD Athlon at 2000gh, with plenty of RAM and HD memory. I also have a 300gb external HD. It has given me very few problems over the years (about 4), but the version of XP it came with is apparently not an official one. Yes, I may be able to borrow CDs. Was even considering borrowing a Vista CD and just starting from scratch. But is there no way to reformat otherwise? I can't believe all this came as a result of ticking a single box! Though there must be more to it, since it won't start in "Last good configuration" either. And no, Pgh, I hadn't touched BIOS before this. The only change was ticking safe mode in boot.ini. Any other thoughts? Thanks.

Gee

elpmek · 10-13-2008

Sorry - from your description you need an external boot capability.

Do you have your XP CD key?

gee · 10-13-2008

Thanks for getting back. No, actually, I don't have a key, because my PC came with XP on it, with no CDs. Obviously this guy was selling home-builds and using one CD to boot XP onto several different machines. So I have never had a Cd or a key.

Jelly Bean · 10-13-2008

Hello,Gee.

Do you get any beep codes on startup?

Could you disconnect all hardware wich is not needed for booting your computer.

Have you powered her off and used the BIOS rest jumper?

Have you checked all fans are spinning on power on?

You cannot just borrow a Vista disk from a friend and install it on your computer.

To borrow a XP CD it would have to be OEM not retail.

Try downloading a boot disk from here:Bootdisk.Com

If you are using a USB keyboard to try and enter F8 safe mode please swop it for a PS2 keyboard and mouse.Try again to enter safe mode via repeatedly tapping F8 on startup.

Let me know how that goes.

JB.

10-12-2008	#1
gee Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5 PC Experience: Experienced	Can't boot , stuck in loop. Hi all. Wanted to run antivirus in safe mode (XP SP2). Pressed F8 during start-up and got to mode choice screen. Chose safe mode. It looped back to same screen, saying "Windows could not start up properly, possibly because of hardware or software changes," or along those lines. Chose "Start Windows normally" and all was fine. Really wanted to work in safe mode so I went to msconfig, boot.ini and chose safe mode. Restarted and got same problem, so no safe mode possible. Only now, I couldn't start in any mode. I have been through all the choices on that screen several times, but they all do the same thing: Start to begin booting with a black screen, sometimes files start speeding by in the lower part of the screen, then the BIOS check, and it's back to the mode choice screen with the same message at the top. I don't have the XP boot CDs. Any way I can reformat without those CDs? I don't mind the data loss. Thanks! Gee Last edited by vger; 07-06-2009 at 04:51 PM.

10-13-2008	#2
Pgh Protector of the Cookies Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Watford, England Posts: 1,244 PC Experience: Keen to Learn	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. Hi gee, welcome to PCHF! did you update your BIOS before this or anything? let me mark your thread open so a member of our tech team can see it needs dealing with. Regards, PGH Comments on this post gee agrees: friendly and welcoming __________________ Doctor: I'm afraid you have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Patient: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

10-13-2008	#3
elpmek Tech Support Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 2,723 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. What is the make and model of the PC? Can you borrow an XP Cd from a friend? Comments on this post gee agrees: great to get help from more knowledgeable folk

10-13-2008	#4
gee Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. It is a home-build, I'm afraid. I bought it online. It's got AMD Athlon at 2000gh, with plenty of RAM and HD memory. I also have a 300gb external HD. It has given me very few problems over the years (about 4), but the version of XP it came with is apparently not an official one. Yes, I may be able to borrow CDs. Was even considering borrowing a Vista CD and just starting from scratch. But is there no way to reformat otherwise? I can't believe all this came as a result of ticking a single box! Though there must be more to it, since it won't start in "Last good configuration" either. And no, Pgh, I hadn't touched BIOS before this. The only change was ticking safe mode in boot.ini. Any other thoughts? Thanks. Gee Last edited by gee; 10-13-2008 at 02:34 PM. Reason: didn't address one of the questions

10-13-2008	#5
elpmek Tech Support Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 2,723 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. Sorry - from your description you need an external boot capability. Do you have your XP CD key? Comments on this post gee agrees: short and to the point

10-13-2008	#6
gee Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5 PC Experience: Experienced	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. Thanks for getting back. No, actually, I don't have a key, because my PC came with XP on it, with no CDs. Obviously this guy was selling home-builds and using one CD to boot XP onto several different machines. So I have never had a Cd or a key.

10-13-2008	#7
Jelly Bean Stoooooopid Girl. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Swansea Posts: 12,727 PC Experience: None.	Re: Can't boot , stuck in loop. Hello,Gee. Do you get any beep codes on startup? Could you disconnect all hardware wich is not needed for booting your computer. Have you powered her off and used the BIOS rest jumper? Have you checked all fans are spinning on power on? You cannot just borrow a Vista disk from a friend and install it on your computer. To borrow a XP CD it would have to be OEM not retail. Try downloading a boot disk from here:Bootdisk.Com If you are using a USB keyboard to try and enter F8 safe mode please swop it for a PS2 keyboard and mouse.Try again to enter safe mode via repeatedly tapping F8 on startup. Let me know how that goes. JB. __________________ Rwy'n ceisio fy ngorau.

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