Windows won't boot

[Driv5r]

Hello, I have a problem with my WinXP and I'd appreciate any help. Few seconds after the booting process begins, the computer just stops and restarts. I try to boot it again, but again it stops half-way while it's booting and suddenly restarts.

 

I can't use Safe mode either, the same thing happens. That 'start windows with last known working configuration' doesn't help either. I'm really lost here.

 

I use a dual-boot system, WIndows XP and Vista. Only XP shows the problem but I have all my data in there and really need to make it work. Vista works fine but I can't access most of my Hard disk from Vista as it is installed in a different disk partition.

 

 

I think problem is caused by a virus. Last time it worked, I downloaded some flash game from a torrent website (how stupid!), and my anti-virus (kaspersky) started to freak out displaying all sort of notifications like 'applications is trying to install suspicious driver' etc. Next time, the problem started to occur. So, I think it's a virus.

 

I don't want to reformat and lose all data. Any other idea wolud be deeply appreciated. thanks for reading.

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome.

 

Are you able to get into BIOS and load defaults?

 

Are you able to boot from the XP install disk?

 

When you say dual boot are you using two seprate partitions or two seprate hard drives?

[Driv5r]

Yes, I can get into the BIOS screen.

I can't boot from the installation disk.

I use two different partitions, same hard drive.

[PCandLaptopRepair]

Hi, my latest client had the same problem. Open the PC, clear the CMOS by moving the 2-pin jumper next to the CMOS battery from positions 1-2 to 2-3. Do this while the PC is running, this will short out the PSU and computer power will switch off. Leave for 10 seconds, put back to 1-2 and use power button to restart computer. On reboot, BIOS will say 'CMOS checksum error', F1 to continue, DEL to enter BIOS. Hit DEL, then once in BIOS, F10 to save and exit. PC will then restart normally. Sounds like the problem is the ACPI controller on IRQ 9 conflicting with either the USB 1.1 host controller, or a general ACPI freeze caused by recent bootstrap change or hardware install.

 

Hope this helps.

[Tootech]

clear the CMOS by moving the 2-pin jumper next to the CMOS battery from positions 1-2 to 2-3

 

I would caution you NOT to do this whilst the PC is running.

 

There is no harm doing a BIOS reset, but do it whilst the PC is switched off and power is off at the wall.

[Plastic Nev]

First I agree with Tootech, it is never a good idea to work on any computer with the power on. Too much chance of damage being done by a short to something else.

However try to clear the bios with the power off as suggested and see what happens.

If however the problem with the XP partition is still there, and considering it won't boot at all, I would suggest removing the hard drive from the machine, it will mean buying an adapter to connect it to a USB port on another working computer and the type of adapter depends on what type the hard drive is, either IDE or SATA.

Before connecting to the working machine, you need to be sure it has some decent anti malware installed, we can suggest good ones, and I recommend you let us know which is on it already before going further.

Once we have got that far, it is a simple matter of connecting the hard drive via the adapter, the working machine will see it as a mass storage device and you should be able to find the XP partition. Do not open it yet, right click on the partition, and then select "Scan with -- " using the anti malware installed. Hopefully it will find and remove enough for the drive to then work back in its original machine. Re fit it, then come back here again so we can put you in touch with our security expert who can then assist in removing any further infections.

Nev.