Computer keeps restarting at the Windows XP Logo

[SageMason]

This morning my brother tried to log on to my computer but couldn't figure out the password so he shut it down by just pressing and holding the power on button. A few hours later, I went to log on but after I get the Dell screen i get options like run in safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt etc. however whenever I click any of these, my computer goes to the Windows XP logo, and then a quick flash of blue and it reboots all over again.

 

I had just used the computer late at night yesterday and everything was working perfectly fine!

 

Anyway, the flash of blue was much to quick so I recorded it in an attempt to read what it says:

 

A problem detected so windows shut down etc etc.

 

Disable or Unstall any anti-virus, disk defrag or back up utilities. Check hard drive config. and any updated drivers, run CHKD.

 

I'm a complete computer newbie and don't know what to do. I have a Dell Inspiron 530 with BIOS 1.0.10.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

So does it reboot even after choosing Safe mode?

 

When you select Safe Mode do you see lots of lines scrolling past, and what is the last one you see?

[SageMason]

Hi

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

So does it reboot even after choosing Safe mode?

 

When you select Safe Mode do you see lots of lines scrolling past, and what is the last one you see?

 

Thank you, I really appreciate your help!

 

Yes, even after Safe Mode it will reboot. There is a lot of lines that appear and it stops at:

 

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows\system32\drivers\Mup.sys

 

It stays there for a few seconds and then eventually reboots back to the Dell page again.

[maynardvdm]

Do you have the Windows XP Disk?

 

In the BIOS, set the first boot device to CD/DVD

Then Save and exit, make sure your Windows disk is in the drive.

It will say Press any key to boot from CD....., then press any key.

Now in the setup menu the first option is to go into the Recovery Console select that option.

Next type chkdsk /f (Note the space between k and /) and press Enter

Wait till its finished and then restart your pc.

 

Hope this helps.

[Tootech]

Just a quick addition....

 

If you don't have a Windows CD, you can download the Recovery Console ISO from the link below.

 

Its a direct download, burn it to CD, boot from it and then you can continue with Maynards instructions.

 

http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso

[SageMason]

Thank you so much to the both of your for your help!

 

Yes, I still do have my XP disk, but before I do anything, I was wondering whether I would lose all of my data?

[SageMason]

I went ahead an tried to do what was suggested above, but after I hit R for recovery console it got stuck on this:

 

Examining 476938 MB disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi...

 

:(

[Dalo Harkin]

It sounds to me like the OS has become corrupt, this can happen when the PC is shut down in the way you describe.

You have 2 options, 1 involves keeping your data and 1 does not.

 

You can format the drive and reinstall the OS (losing all your data)

 

You can buy another HDD and install the OS to that and then slave the old disk and drag off what you need.

[Tootech]

It sounds to me like the OS has become corrupt

I agree with Dalo - sounds like a corrupt file system.

 

Another option is to hook the drive up as a second drive on another machine.

 

When you fire up the machine, Windows will see a faulty file system and attempt a full check and repair. Let it do it.

 

Switch off the machine again, remove your drive and refit it to the orginal PC, fire it up and hopefully it will start.

 

It has worked for me when no other options are left.

[Dalo Harkin]

I agree with Dalo - sounds like a corrupt file system.

 

Another option is to hook the drive up as a second drive on another machine.

 

When you fire up the machine, Windows will see a faulty file system and attempt a full check and repair. Let it do it.

 

Switch off the machine again, remove your drive and refit it to the orginal PC, fire it up and hopefully it will start.

 

It has worked for me when no other options are left.

 

I agree - if you have someone who can hook your HDD into their PC - this should fix it :)

[SageMason]

I agree with Dalo - sounds like a corrupt file system.

 

Another option is to hook the drive up as a second drive on another machine.

 

When you fire up the machine, Windows will see a faulty file system and attempt a full check and repair. Let it do it.

 

Switch off the machine again, remove your drive and refit it to the orginal PC, fire it up and hopefully it will start.

 

It has worked for me when no other options are left.

 

Would this involve losing my data as well? It'd be nice to keep it but I'm not terribly worried about what is on there.

 

How would I do what you suggested? I'm sorry, I'm a real newbie whenever computer terms like OS and hooking drives up.

[Tootech]

Running a disk check, or Windows deciding to run a disk check will not delete your data. The only caveat to that is if you have a faulty disk - things may go wrong.

 

I don't think that is an issue in your case.

 

You need another computer or laptop available to you.

 

Perhaps the easiest way is to use an adapter to connect your drive up to USB port on the 'spare' computer.

 

Something like this Plexus USB to IDE & SATA Adapter With Power Adapter (Supports 2.5" / 3.5" IDE & Serial ATA Hard Disk) - Ebuyer

 

will do the job. It connects to your drive, supplies power and has a USB connector at the other end.

 

You can then plug your drive in to the spare computer using the USB connector, run a disk check and error repair, and also at that point you could copy your data over to the other PC as a backup.

 

Once all that is done, you can reconnect the drive back up to its rightful home and fire it up. Hopefully it will boot properly.

[SageMason]

Running a disk check, or Windows deciding to run a disk check will not delete your data. The only caveat to that is if you have a faulty disk - things may go wrong.

 

I don't think that is an issue in your case.

 

You need another computer or laptop available to you.

 

Perhaps the easiest way is to use an adapter to connect your drive up to USB port on the 'spare' computer.

 

Something like this Plexus USB to IDE & SATA Adapter With Power Adapter (Supports 2.5" / 3.5" IDE & Serial ATA Hard Disk) - Ebuyer

 

will do the job. It connects to your drive, supplies power and has a USB connector at the other end.

 

You can then plug your drive in to the spare computer using the USB connector, run a disk check and error repair, and also at that point you could copy your data over to the other PC as a backup.

 

Once all that is done, you can reconnect the drive back up to its rightful home and fire it up. Hopefully it will boot properly.

 

Thank you, I will try to go to the electronic store and buy the adapter and then try what you suggest over the break!

[SageMason]

Thank you, I will try to go to the electronic store and buy the adapter and then try what you suggest over the break!

 

Well, i went to the electronic store, and the person working there showed me something called an HD enclosure saying it was all they had. Is that what I need? Or is it more than what I need?

[Plastic Nev]

So long as that enclosure has a USB connector it will do the job OK but will cost more than an adapter cable on its own.

You could go to the link given by Tootech and buy the adapter on line, but if the only other way forward is the enclosure, then go for it.

Nev.

[Tootech]

Just to add to Nev's comments....

 

Make sure it's the right type for your drive - there are IDE and SATA hard drive connectors.

 

The link to the adapter I gave you will do both, caddies tend to do one or the other.

[pugilist]

boot from windows disk it may help

[jamhun]

If you have a motherboard with onboard graphics and anadditional card installed there could be a conflict and you will hace to remove the additional graphics card

 

James