Windows XP repair setup continual reboot 1

[weogarth]

Was having a minor issue this afternoon that has gotten out of hand in a huge fashion. Now I don't have a functioning computer at all and need a hand.

I had tried to do a SP reinstall and then a Repair Installation to fix the issue. That's when my fun started. The repair aborted partially through the process, looking for certain files. After that, no matter what I have tried, I have been unable to get setup to not run. Safe Mode (all varieties) just tells me that 'Setup cannot run in Safe Mode, restarting now'.

Starting a new setup to try to get to a place to edit the various 'RUN' entries in the registry also brings up a setup error. I'm afraid that these errors are accumulating as the reboots continue. It should be noted that this install CD worked just fine on a different system a few hours before, and there are no visible scratches, so I have high confidence in the CD's integrity. I just have run out of ideas on how to fix this and would appreciate anyone's help.

Regards

 

[bcastner]

You could try a registry repair. This would at least give you clean RUN keys.

I am little concerned that because of missing files you will need to do a repair reinstallation anyway.

1. Not sure how much this would help:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

The same steps in clear english:

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

2. The in-place repair of XP should ignore whatever is in the run keys:

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp&NoWebContent=1

You will not lose programs or data, but, and in your case an advantage, it will remove all Service Packs and Hotfixes so they will need to be re-applied.

I would just do #2.

 

[weogarth]

Well, unfortunately part of the 'no matter what I have tried, I have been unable to get setup to not run' includes doing a new setup and I get random missing files when I do so.

I don't believe that there is a different way to get to a recovery console which eliminates one option and I can't reinstall over the existing install which is something I was considering but can't do anymore.

Sorry for not going chronologically but at one point early in this nightmare, I WAS able to get to the recovery console and do more than I could now, which is why I think my situation is deteriorating.

I'm really trying to avoid putting in a new drive with a new OS and copy all my data over but it is seeming more and more likely that this course of action will be necessary.

Are any more tips coming to mind on this?

 

[bcastner]

Are you saying when you boot from the XP CD and elect to (R)epair to run recovery console that setup runs? This does not ring true to me. The recovery console should care less about what is in the RUN keys.

If you need an alternative approach, use the floppy disk method discussed in my earlier link concerning the recovery console.

 

[linney]

Remove any USB devices until after installation. Turn off any Bios Virus Scanning. Reset your Bios back to Default Settings.

Boot from your XP CD. You have about a second to "Press Any Key" when this message is displayed as the CD starts to load.

This will take you to the Repair Installations options.

If necessary use the Recovery Console to replace the Boot.ini file with Boot.bak or get a Boot.ini file that doesn't have XP Setup as the Default Operating System.

This will the stop the Boot-Setup loop.

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

316417 - "Setup Cannot Upgrade Some Settings" Error Message When You Reinstall Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316417&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt...(Q320252)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q320/2/52.asp

See if any of these help.

XP Pro Installation, Major errors
thread779-650446

xp setup
thread779-576242

 

[weogarth]

Sorry, to clarify my second message:

When I said 'I get random missing files' when running a fresh setup, this aborts the setup. Thus, I never actually GET to the recovery console anymore so I can't actually DO any of the neat tricks you folks have suggested. This is also why I was commenting specifically saying that it wasn't always that way, that I had made it as far as the recovery console.

It looks like I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and reinstall. Thanks folks for your time and effort.

 

[bcastner]

Try the floppy disk method of access to the recovery console, as all the files needed are on the floppy images.

 

[bcastner]

Have you thought about using a PE environment bootable completely from CD?

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/