XP Machine on Loop

[itman]

Hi,

I've got an admin machine which is on a loop.

It displays the XP Splat, and then flashes the BSOD and then restarts.

- I've run a diagnostic test on the drive that didn't come up with anything.
- I can't get into safe mode
- I can't get into the recovery console, just gives me the option to install windows
- I can't repair the installation
- I can't ghost, this is the only machine of this brand


Whats the next thing to try? Usually running chkdsk would fixit?

Any help would be great

[SYNACK]

Hold down F8 while it boots windows and it should bring up a menu that allows you to disable automatic reboots, you can now boot it and read off teh BSOD which will give you a much better idea of whats wrong.

[Jona]

What SYNACK said, but in my experience this kind of error is usually pretty fatal and is going to need a windows re-install.

If you arn't getting the option to try and repair windows when you boot from a CD it is worth running chkdsk, fixmbr, fixboot, etc and then trying again.

Jona

[Sirbendy]

reformat it.

Whip disk out and slave it to another machine for data recovery and then reformat it.

PEBuilder also works nicely for data recovery.

There's only a given amount of time it's worth spending on BSOD kit before it's quicker to just nuke the hell out of it and start again..

[Domino]

Its not a HP bit of kit which has done this after installing SP3 is it?

[elsiegee40]

I've had problems very similar to this on two occasions.

Both required a new HDD

[kmount]

Two of these this morning directly resulting from the mass power off of the room.

5 minutes reimage, far easier than messing around!

[localzuk]

I've had problems very similar to this on two occasions.

Both required a new HDD

Two of these this morning directly resulting from the mass power off of the room.

5 minutes reimage, far easier than messing around!

Ditto to both these comments. I just reimage any, and if it does it again I put in a warranty request for new hard disks.

[joe90bass]

If memory serves me right, we don't get the recovery console option when using our Evesham recovery disks, but do with the volume licence version

[kmount]

The Recovery Console is an 'optional' component of the CD.

Nlite allows you to choose whether its bundled or not.

Or, you could do this as recommended by MS.

[witch]

I had one recently and I couldnt get into anything
I would echo the others: try and reinstall and if not, it'll be a new HDD

[imiddleton25]

I have in past slaved up to another pc and run chkdsk and even defrag. then put drive back in try again. If you can get the recovery console ( you can do it straight from xp cd) try a fixboot and fixmbr. I usually do each one and try again in approx 15 I have done over the years this method had only failed 3 times so worth a go.

[Michael]

It isn't just the hard drive which could be the problem. Memory (RAM) can also cause BSODs. Depending on the error message, we'll be able to help you further

[MyDejaVu]

like stated , maybe you are using a customized XP Installation CD so you are not getting the recovery console, you should try an original XP Installation, just make sure what version of XP you had in that machine, because if it is the original OEM version you would not be able to repair from a Volume License Copy and viceversa

[itman]

Hi all, many thanks for all the comments.


I haven't got an image or identical machine, so imaging wont be an option.

I am going to try a different XP disk, to see if the recovery console appears in there.

If I have no luck with that, I guess the next option is a fresh install.