Rebooting windows XP

[Alan2273]

It will not boot into XP, as soon as the XP loading page starts (where the blue dashes go across the box) it just reboots, into the safe mode page, I have tried all the options and get the same result.

I went into the BIOS and set the DVD as first boot, put and XP CD in and it would not boot from it, it tried to then went onto the safe mode page.

I tried my own XP Cd which I know works and the same happened.

I then put a Linux Puppy Cd in and it booted of that, I was able to access the hard drive and look at the files, so it is not the hard drive.

I then disconnected the DVD drive and set the CD drive as first boot and exactly the same thing happened.

I also tried a graphics card as this computer has integrated graphics.

I also disconnected the hard drive and still the same thing happened.

So I have run out of options, any opinions welcome.

[-pops-]

Possibly a corrupt XP installation already on the drive.

Can you try a different hard drive - preferably one without any O/S already there?

[Hb_Kai]

Could be the disc drive not reading it properly...

[Alan2273]

it has two optical drives and i have tried both, both will boot Linux Live CD's.

[Boris]

Alan - try the Recovery Console ?

http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/recover...y_console.shtml

[Alan2273]

I cannot boot into the recovery console, as it will not get that far.

Here is what I have done.

1/ Tried a graphics card---as it has integrated graphics.

2/ Tested the PSU and it passed---also tried another PSU.

3/ Run Memtest 1.65 and it passed with flying colours.

4/ Booted using a Linux live CD--- used GParted to format the disk then tried to install 3 different distros--- non of them completed the install.

5/ Checked the motherboard and no fat caps.

6/ Reset the CMOS.

7/ Tried another IDE cable.

I built this computer for Kim about 18 months ago, she is not very well of, so I am a bit wary of buying a new hard drive if it is the motherboard that is the problem.