[Dave5000]

Hi,

My computer is stuck in an endless restart loop. It gets as far as the 'configuring updates' screen then decides it needs to restart again.

After a bit of looking around it seems It is a problem with vista's service pack 1. The only problem is that all the solutions I have found require booting vista from the cd to get back into windows, but when I try to boot from the cd it hangs at the loading screen.

Any advice/tips would be most welcome.

[lisa6447]

have ou tried a system restore while it is restarting hit F8 go to safemode and type system restore into search box it takes its time to load when loaded choose a date when you did not have problems click next and wait for it to finish

[Dave5000]

Unfortunately I can't get in to windows, safemode or otherwise.

[GTechWiz]

Windows is restarting because you didn't UNCHECK the restart on error box which is located under Startup & Recovery. (something other's should take note of!) (Press Windows Key + Pause Break ~> system settings.

Your computer is restarting because:

A) you have a major virus
B) you have faulty hardware (usually not likely)
C) A fault is causing your computer to crash (software related)

First try to remove the viruses, use this...
http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/a...ue_system.html

Which ever it may be, the best thing to do if the virus removal doesn't work, is at this point is to back up your data (you should have done this already!), and then reinstall windows! (AFTER you reformat the hard drive!)

If this won't solve your problems then it is definitely hardware issues, which in that case, reinstalling windows will not help. You will need to fix the hardware issue first. (when does the computer restart?)

[joeten]

Hi can you get to your bios if you can, change the boot order to cd\dvd as first boot and use your install or recovery disc to either restore or repair, F2 is often the key to tap on boot to get to your bios

[lisa6447]

i would have said the same thing as joeten anyway i will leave you with these very clever guys to sort out your problem regards Lisa

[Dave5000]

Im fairy sure I dont have a virus (I just formatted the hard drive and was updating vista) and I'm hoping it's not hardware related...

The computer gets as far as the windows logo, then I get a please wait while updates are being configured, then it tells me windows is shutting down (it actually restarts but nvm).

From what I've found on the issue it seems like an issue a few people came across when SP1 for vista came out, and was easily solved by either running the repair facility from the install cd or deleting a couple of registry files. With the added problem that the computer freezes at the loading screen when I try to boot from the cd (which also prevents me from just formatting the disk), I'm not sure what the next step is.

[joeten]

Hi lisa6447 please do not bow out, your input is has much worth as anyone here's, we all have something we can offer and we all learn from each other, so get those little grey cells working and keep joining in regards joeten

[Dave5000]

Also - yes i can get into the BIOS and have tried a few different boot sequences but no luck.

[joeten]

Ok then it looks more like our friend Gtechwiz was correct and you could be looking at either a reinstall either from disc or recovery partition

[Dave5000]

Im happy to format the drive but unfortunately I don't have a recovery partition. The aforementioned cd issue also prevents me from reformatting that way.

Looks like I'll have to gut the computer and try to format the drive on another machine or something.

Thanks for all your input.
- Dave

[lisa6447]

do you have a recovery disk if not download one from neosmart.com go into bios and boot from cd/rom you have to make number one in the boot menu

[GTechWiz]

If your seeing the windows LOGO, then I'm positive it's either a virus, OR a problem with windows. Try the virus scan, if this doesn't help, then reformat the hard drive, and reinstall windows, SIMPLE ENOUGH!

Hope this was helpful...

[lisa6447]

has anybody else noticed a increase in this kind of problem on the forum after installing updates in the last few days

[Dave5000]

Thanks, I actually hadn't come across recovery disks before.

Hopefully that should do the trick.

Also - I should apologise - I assumed that antivirus would be windows based and hence useless to me at the moment. I will give that a go also.

Thanks again.
- Dave