XP SP3 - endless reboots

[love2fish]

OK I went to windows updates and downloaded SP-3. When it said to reboot my computer went into an endless re-boot cycle. I cannot even get into safe mode. I can boot from a windows CD and get to C:\windows. Is there a way to run system restore from the C: prompt?

I tried using the repair function on the XP cd, but my original windows install was an OEM. I purchased another legal XP cd, but the product key doesn't match the original install so I get an invalid key error and I'm stuck.

Any ideas?

[Boris]

If you can navigate down to C:\Windows\System32\restore\

You could try ............. rstrui ??

[Irene]

Hello love2fish :)

I just came across this THIS, which may be worth reading through.

Please post back to let us know if it is useful, so that others with similar problems may consult it.

[Alan2273]

If you have purchased a legal XP CD then it should have come with a C.O.A and it own unique key.

so use the new number you should have.

You could also try a Windows repair, (this is not done from the Console.)

Powerless has written a good guide to follow.

http://www.windowsforum.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10455

[love2fish]

If you have purchased a legal XP CD then it should have come with a C.O.A and it own unique key.

so use the new number you should have.

You could also try a Windows repair, (this is not done from the Console.)

Powerless has written a good guide to follow.

http://www.windowsforum.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10455

Actually windows repair is something I have already tried. However then it asks me to enter a product key, and when I enter it, it says it's invalid. I thought it was because an OEM version is currently installed that has it's own product key. The reason I bought a new XP cd is because I didn't get an OEM CD and don't have the repair functionality.

[Alan2273]

Has your new XP CD come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a Key (which is on a sticker), if so do a complete install and wipe the previous Xp by formatting the drive.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I am sure you made a backup before installing SP3, as recommended here and practically everywhere on the Internet

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

If not, try booting into Last Known Good Configuration.

[love2fish]

Has your new XP CD come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a Key (which is on a sticker), if so do a complete install and wipe the previous Xp by formatting the drive.

Yes I have a COA and key, but formatting and starting over would probably be my last choice. For some reason it won't accept the product key, even though (once I got up and running) I ran a keyfinder program and verified that the keys match.

I am sure you made a backup before installing SP3, as recommended here and practically everywhere on the Internet

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

If not, try booting into Last Known Good Configuration.

Yes I made a backup. There was no booting to any configuration period!

I was able to do a manual recovery using this rather cumbersome procedure. Anyway it worked and I'm up and running again. Also I got brave and installed SP-3 with no problems.

Thanks for all your help.

[Alan2273]

Glad it is sorted, and thanks for posting your solution.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

So your registry was corrupted. Why didn't you just restore your backup - that seems the easiest to me.

Another method to restore your registry only is described here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545