[TexasPete]

I want to avoid reformatting/doing a repair installation if at all possible. My girlfriend does not have a Windows XP disc. If anyone has ANY other ideas or things to try please let me know!

[DHugh]

Folks, I received something via IM today that has created the identical issue that is being described on this thread. Nothing has worked. I'm booting to a legal XP Pro disk in recovery mode and can look at some of the directories, but oddly I cannot open the Documents and Settings directory. I can move to any other directory but that one - anybody know why?
The Boot file was corrupt. An error box labelled 'lsass.exe' showed that SHLWAPI.DLL and OLEAUT32.DLL were corrupt so I copied new ones from another clean system. But that hasn't fixed anything.
At this point, my best solution would be to pick up a USB HD and do a fresh XP install onto that drive, copy my data, and reformat the infected drive.
But I'd appreciate a more elegant approach if anyone has one. Thanks.

[jasaiyajin]

Download <Reference to illegal download removed>it has multiple testing utilities, ie for RAM. Hope it helps.

If all else fails, use a linux live CD to copy all the important files (time consuming?) to another medium like USB stick.

Reinstall everything from scratch.

I'm a little unclear however about how far exactly the laptop loads. Can you visit your bios and remove the logos from displaying? Usually, all you do is change an option to view the stuff that loads during post. How far does it load everything exactly until it restarts?

[TexasPete]

DHugh,
Just out of curiosity, where are those two files located on your computer. I might try copying them from my laptop and adding them to my girlfriends computer to see if that will fix the problem. I doubt it will but at this point I'm desperate.

jasaiyajin,
The problem that is occurring is on my girlfriend's Sony desktop (the system information I have listed is for my own personal laptop). This is exactly what happens: I press the power button on the tower, the light turns orange and stays orange. Just as the fans begin to run it beeps once, displays the SONY logo, then displays the Pentium 4 logo, the screen flashes and about 1-2 seconds later it repeats that process.

I will also try that Hiren's Boot CD you mentioned.

Thanks!

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by jasaiyajin

Download Hiren's Boot Cd (its free), it has multiple testing utilities, ie for RAM. Hope it helps.

I suggest you read the TSG Rules, especially the part about illegal activities, before continuing to post here. That CD is loaded with pirate software, and it NOT a legal download. Please don't suggest illegal activities here at TSG.

[jasaiyajin]

JohnWill
OOps, sorry, didn't realize that particular CD was loaded with pirate software, I'll avoid suggesting it to anyone.

TexasPete
Can you enter BIOS and see all your peripherals? Does it display the hard drive correctly as well as the proper speed for your CPU?

I've seen an improperly set CPU FSB or Multiplier simply reboot a PC just like you aforementioned.

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by jasaiyajin

JohnWill
OOps, sorry, didn't realize that particular CD was loaded with pirate software, I'll avoid suggesting it to anyone.

TexasPete
Can you enter BIOS and see all your peripherals? Does it display the hard drive correctly as well as the proper speed for your CPU?

I've seen an improperly set CPU FSB or Multiplier simply reboot a PC just like you aforementioned.

Many people don't realize that this CD is illegal. It contains a lot of third-party software that is licensed to unknown individuals who may not even be aware that their licenses are in use. and it also has programs that are not free (either in the GPU sense or the money sense).

[TexasPete]

Thanks for the heads up about that CD, I definately won't go that route.

jasaiyajin,
Yes I can enter BIOS and it doesn correctly display my hard drive(s) and peripherals.

[jasaiyajin]

Now, open up the PC case and disconnect the hard drive and any extra peripherals. Keep the Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor plugged in and check how it starts up. Do you get the same reboots?

If you still have that reboot problem, it may be faulty/problematic ram, cpu, but more like motherboard. You would have to get a hold of some different components and test them out. Plug that affected PC's hard drive into another computer and boot it up, see what happens. Report your findings here.

[GG33325]

I am having a problem with my computer not booting also, it was my old computer, and I haven't started it in like 2 years. Do you think it could be the CMOS battery?