XP restart "loop"

[wartes37]

Hello All - I am new here and came here from Google because I am having the same problem described in another post but it was not really resolved. I also had a virus - I noticed it when I went to open Task Manager and noticed it only opened for 2-3 seconds then closed. I ran anti-virus programs and deleted some viruses but the Task manager problem still exists.

I downloaded a utility to start Task manager so that is solved but now, when I Restart the PC, it goes into this "loop". (I am able to boot by selecting "last good restart" option - but still have problems with the "normal" restart and Task manager problems.

I am trying to avoid having to re-install XP. Is there anything I can check? or should I just give up?

Thank you for any help.

[salim hussain]

The fact you can boot with last good restrart , show that something has entered your registry starting something that blocks you ! look up for something that can reinstal your previous registry, if you dont find it come back to me !.

[wartes37]

Thank you for the help - btw - I also tried to system restore to january 2, but the restore failed. I think you are right.

I do not know of anything that could restore/re-install my previous registry - would you know of a free tool? I am also afraid to do more damage - I am not comfortable messing with the registry.

I was thinking maybe using msconfig and deleting all start tasks?

Thank you again for your help.

[wartes37]

No one?

Thank you for the help - btw - I also tried to system restore to january 2, but the restore failed. I think you are right.

I do not know of anything that could restore/re-install my previous registry - would you know of a free tool? I am also afraid to do more damage - I am not comfortable messing with the registry.

I was thinking maybe using msconfig and deleting all start tasks?

Thank you again for your help.

[maui_mallard]

Just to clarify things...

Does your computer turn on, get to the desktop then all of a sudden restarts?

I had this exact same issue before and it is easy to fix...

let us know

[wartes37]

It never gets to the desktop.

Seqence is:

1. Dell (startup) screen
2. Windows XP Pr Screen
3. black scree
4. Small box saying "Windows XP is starting up" - or something like this

Goes back to #1

Thanks for any help - no one has been able to solve this.

[maui_mallard]

Can you get to the desktop through Safemode?

[caperjack]

hitting f8 key on bootup to get to safe mode

[maui_mallard]

Just keep pounding f8 until you get a startup menu...you will pound f8 continually right after the Dell startup screen, before the XP Loading Screen