We had a power outage as I was using the computer. Windows XP operating system. It's stuck in a rebooting loop -- I get a screen offering several reboot options, none of which works. I can get to advanced options, none of which works. I can get to a "Please select boot device" screen, but when I try any of those options, I get kicked back to the rebooting loop. I have an external hard drive and have tried rebooting with and without that hard drive engaged. I do not have a boot disc. Can you help me?

Hello and welcome to PCHelpForum.

Ok lets firstly enter BIOS/Setup and set BIOS to default settings.

See if that helps?

Or try power off,remove from power outlet and open her up,remove BIOS battery for 2 minutes replace reboot.

Does that help?

I have marked your thread as "Open" to receive further help from the guy,s n girl,s on the forum.

Jelly Bean.

I can't seem to get to the BIOS menu. I'm OK with opening the tower, but where is the battery?

It is on the mainboard,it looks like a large digital watch battery.,

OK, did that, got the BIOS menu, then went back to reboot and ended up back in the loop. Does it revert to BIOS default settings, or is there something I need to do while in the BIOS menu? I will remove the battery again and await your reply before rebooting.

It sets BIOS back to default settings.

Ok have you restarted the computer and tried repeatedly tapping F8 and choose safe mode or last known good config?

Can you enter BIOS at all now you have reset it?

As you had a power outage and I asume no surge protection socket attached to your computer.

Then remove all external hardware not required for booting.

On your post screen do you see such items listed such as your hard drive and CD/DVD rom drives?

If none of the above are working.

Power off and disconnect internal hard drive,now are you able to boot and enter BIOS?

Yes or no?

If you can now enter BIOS possibly hard drive damage.

Although you may wish to power off and disconnect the internal CD/DVD rom drives reboot and see if that stops the loop.

OK, here's where I am...

I can get to BIOS menu if I'm quick enough for the brief instant that the Gateway screen is up (OK, I've copped to having a Gateway).

I have tried repeatedly to reboot in safe mode, as well as in last configuration.

I have disconnected the internal hard drive, and I get a boot agent diagnostic, followed by instruction to reboot and insert proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device. When I reconnect the hard drive, I'm back to the endless reboot loop.

I also disconnected the floppy and CD/DVD devices, as well as the external hard drive, and got the same message as above.

BTW, I DO have a surge protector, although I realize they are not foolproof.

Any other ideas? Is my hard drive fried? If so, is it possible to boot from the external hard drive?