[paperclip013]

Ran a virus scan, then had an update and had to restart pc and that is when the problems started.
1.couldn't restart pc until manually shut it;
2.when tried to log on, pc started the log on but switched to log off and this will repeat till I manually shut the pc;
3.if I did manage to log in, screen was blue and no icons so only manual turn off possible.
4. tried to repair XP with the original disk but it only allows me to "upgrade" internally and when it finishes the downloading and starts the set up, it goes on for hours -- prompt says "set up being restarted" then it logs off, starts again and so it went on for 5 hrs.
5. I'd prefer to repair the system instead of installing it over as I would lose whatever I had before besides am not sure how to get my DSL afterwards.

Please tell me what can be done! Thanks in advance!

[Advertisements]

It too bad that you did not try to get into safe mode and restore the computer to the last known good configuration. You can still try it but it may not work now. What procedure did you do when trying the repair?

Did you look at this?
http://www.geekstogo...air-windows-xp/

Try again following the above tutorial.

SRX660

[SRX660]

It too bad that you did not try to get into safe mode and restore the computer to the last known good configuration. You can still try it but it may not work now. What procedure did you do when trying the repair?

Did you look at this?
http://www.geekstogo...air-windows-xp/

Try again following the above tutorial.

SRX660

[paperclip013]

Hello!

Thanks for your reply! Sorry I forgot to mention that the pc will NOT allow me to use Safe Mode eversince the problem appeared.

While searching the net for solutions, I found the video and tried it. After the necessary files are dowonloaded, the pc displays: "setup is being restarted" and then goes blank/black, Dell logo appears and the same prompt comes up "setup is being restarted" and it keeps doing it for as long as I let it; turn off is only possible by hitting the button on the CPU.

I am not a pc geek but I am beginning to think that the pc is locked into "log off". Does that sound probable? What else could you suggest? I really appreciate your taking the time to assist me.

Thanks!

[paperclip013]

P.S. Forgot to mention that I never get a message containing error description so can't possibly post for an easier solution. Does it matter if I try again to repair/update as it turns out by my OS? How many times can I run it and does it affect the pc given that I have not been able to finish the setup?

Thanks!

[SRX660]

If you cannot get into windows at all, even thru safemode and a repair install does not work, It is time to do a clean install. Now, if you are going to have to do a clean install i would think about buying a used hard drive from a local trusted Geek, and use it in place of your original hard drive. You can then format the new drive and install windows on the drive. I say to do it this way because you may be able to plug in the old drive as a secondary drive and still be able to copy the files off the old drive into your new drive. If the computer can't even see the old drive or you get errors when you try accessing the drive, then the drive was corrupted or is dead and you would have had to get another drive anyway.

I do the above with lots of older computers. I buy them real cheap, $25-$100, and find our what parts are bad and put used parts from other computers in them so i can resell the computer for $50 to $200. I do about 5 to 10 a month this way. I give 90 day warranty's so people know they won't quit on them a month after i sell them. I still get a few back before the 90 days but i can usually fix them. I do this locally because i don't seem to make much money using Ebay to sell the computers.

Clean install of XP

http://pcsupport.abo...nstxpclean1.htm

SRX660

[paperclip013]

Hello!

Again, thanks! I really don't know what the root of the problem is. I still get stuck in the "setup is being restarted" after I try to upgrade/repair the Win. Am now running chkdsk /R to see what happens. I was told by a repair person that I should run the chkdsk /R /V which would diagnose the problems with the hard drive, in other words if it is alive or dead but such a command is not accepted so I don't know what I'm going to do in all honesty. I am not that computer savvy to experiment with formatting a hard drive and will probably end up finding a tech to do it.

I will run the chkdsk several times and see if I get any messages about the problem.

Your response is much appreciated!

Efrosina

[rshaffer61]

Backup your data and at least you won't lose that.

Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-520.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click BurnCDCC
• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
• Click Start
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
• Click OK

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
• Press F10 to save and exit
• Agree with "Y" to continue
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  

3. Recover Your Data

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.
  
  3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!





If you're doing this to recovery from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.

[paperclip013]

Hi!

Thanks for the suggestion. Excuse me for the question, but as I have said already, I'm not very knowledgeable about computers. How do I open the burn cd if I can't access WIN? No program opens on my pc and I'm stuck at the "setup is being restarted".

E.

[rshaffer61]

What about the system you are using to reply now?
Does it have a cd burner in it?
Download the program and burn the cd using it. Then go to your system and boot up with the newly created cd in the drive.

[paperclip013]

I'm using my daughter's laptop and it has only a cd player, not burner.

[rshaffer61]

OK another way is to use a USB flash drive if you have one.
Take a look HERE to see how to do it. You will then have to set your system to boot to a USB external drive if possible.