Windows XP Continually Restarts

[andreasr2d2]

I have a computer running Windows XP Home Media Center Edition 2005. The problem with it is that it continually reboots itself. If it is turned on, it says "Sorry but Windows did not start correctly." It then provides me the option of booting into Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, or Start Windows Normally. If I do not touch it, t reboots after 30 seconds. If I try to boot into Safe Mode it starts going but then once it reaches MDFSYS.sys it stops and reboots once again. When I try "Last Known Good Configuration" it shows the Windows XP loading screen then reboots once again. My machine is an OEM, so I don't have a boot disc to repair the installation. Is there any way that I can fix this or perform an upgrade to Windows 7 through the CD menu that comes up when you try to boot from a CD? If this is not possible to fix could I potentially take the hard drive out, use a hard drive dock to get the data on it and then just wipe in order to start a clean install? I don't know but could the ccause of this possibly be the installation of a program? I tried downloading Zone Alarm on my computer. It installed and then it told me to restart my computer so it could start working. After restarting, this started happening. This is a relatively new PC (3 years old) and if possible I would not like to buy a new one. I would appreciate any help and would be very grateful.

[MANEMAN]

I have a computer running Windows XP Home Media Center Edition 2005. The problem with it is that it continually reboots itself. If it is turned on, it says "Sorry but Windows did not start correctly." It then provides me the option of booting into Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, or Start Windows Normally. If I do not touch it, t reboots after 30 seconds. If I try to boot into Safe Mode it starts going but then once it reaches MDFSYS.sys it stops and reboots once again. When I try "Last Known Good Configuration" it shows the Windows XP loading screen then reboots once again. My machine is an OEM, so I don't have a boot disc to repair the installation. Is there any way that I can fix this or perform an upgrade to Windows 7 through the CD menu that comes up when you try to boot from a CD? If this is not possible to fix could I potentially take the hard drive out, use a hard drive dock to get the data on it and then just wipe in order to start a clean install? I don't know but could the ccause of this possibly be the installation of a program? I tried downloading Zone Alarm on my computer. It installed and then it told me to restart my computer so it could start working. After restarting, this started happening. This is a relatively new PC (3 years old) and if possible I would not like to buy a new one. I would appreciate any help and would be very grateful.

Hi there, and Welcome.

In my opinion this sounds like a MBR (Master Boot Record) Fault/Corruption

There are many ways to go about fixing MBR issues. Firstly I will recommend some freeware to you called "MBR Fix".

You can download it ***Here***

MBR problems can be a complete pain, and folks often have their own favourite way of going about it, and to be quite honest a lot give up part-way through and do a clean install.

I personally have never tried "MBR Fix" so cannot comment on what sort of job it does. in your current position I would think it well worth a try seeing as it is free.

You will need a bit of computer savvy, calmness, patience, and a logical way of looking at MBR problems usually.

Keep looking here on this thread of the forum. Somebody else may have another bright idea.

[andreasr2d2]

I have a computer running Windows XP Home Media Center Edition 2005. The problem with it is that it continually reboots itself. If it is turned on, it says "Sorry but Windows did not start correctly." It then provides me the option of booting into Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, or Start Windows Normally. If I do not touch it, t reboots after 30 seconds. If I try to boot into Safe Mode it starts going but then once it reaches MDFSYS.sys it stops and reboots once again. When I try "Last Known Good Configuration" it shows the Windows XP loading screen then reboots once again. My machine is an OEM, so I don't have a boot disc to repair the installation. Is there any way that I can fix this or perform an upgrade to Windows 7 through the CD menu that comes up when you try to boot from a CD? If this is not possible to fix could I potentially take the hard drive out, use a hard drive dock to get the data on it and then just wipe in order to start a clean install? I don't know but could the ccause of this possibly be the installation of a program? I tried downloading Zone Alarm on my computer. It installed and then it told me to restart my computer so it could start working. After restarting, this started happening. This is a relatively new PC (3 years old) and if possible I would not like to buy a new one. I would appreciate any help and would be very grateful.

Hi there, and Welcome.

In my opinion this sounds like a MBR (Master Boot Record) Fault/Corruption

There are many ways to go about fixing MBR issues. Firstly I will recommend some freeware to you called "MBR Fix".

You can download it ***Here***

MBR problems can be a complete pain, and folks often have their own favourite way of going about it, and to be quite honest a lot give up part-way through and do a clean install.

I personally have never tried "MBR Fix" so cannot comment on what sort of job it does. in your current position I would think it well worth a try seeing as it is free.

You will need a bit of computer savvy, calmness, patience, and a logical way of looking at MBR problems usually.

Keep looking here on this thread of the forum. Somebody else may have another bright idea.

Thanks for the suggestion. How do I install this - can I boot it from a CD or something similar. Also could I just buy a copy of Windows 7, boot from it, and install it without losing any data?

[andsome]

I have a computer running Windows XP Home Media Center Edition 2005. The problem with it is that it continually reboots itself. If it is turned on, it says "Sorry but Windows did not start correctly." It then provides me the option of booting into Safe Mode, Last Known Good Configuration, or Start Windows Normally. If I do not touch it, t reboots after 30 seconds. If I try to boot into Safe Mode it starts going but then once it reaches MDFSYS.sys it stops and reboots once again. When I try "Last Known Good Configuration" it shows the Windows XP loading screen then reboots once again. My machine is an OEM, so I don't have a boot disc to repair the installation. Is there any way that I can fix this or perform an upgrade to Windows 7 through the CD menu that comes up when you try to boot from a CD? If this is not possible to fix could I potentially take the hard drive out, use a hard drive dock to get the data on it and then just wipe in order to start a clean install? I don't know but could the ccause of this possibly be the installation of a program? I tried downloading Zone Alarm on my computer. It installed and then it told me to restart my computer so it could start working. After restarting, this started happening. This is a relatively new PC (3 years old) and if possible I would not like to buy a new one. I would appreciate any help and would be very grateful.

Hi there, and Welcome.

In my opinion this sounds like a MBR (Master Boot Record) Fault/Corruption

There are many ways to go about fixing MBR issues. Firstly I will recommend some freeware to you called "MBR Fix".

You can download it ***Here***

MBR problems can be a complete pain, and folks often have their own favourite way of going about it, and to be quite honest a lot give up part-way through and do a clean install.

I personally have never tried "MBR Fix" so cannot comment on what sort of job it does. in your current position I would think it well worth a try seeing as it is free.

You will need a bit of computer savvy, calmness, patience, and a logical way of looking at MBR problems usually.

Keep looking here on this thread of the forum. Somebody else may have another bright idea.

Thanks for the suggestion. How do I install this - can I boot it from a CD or something similar. Also could I just buy a copy of Windows 7, boot from it, and install it without losing any data?

If the computer is three years old there is every chance that it will not run Windows 7. There is a downloadable compatibility tool that can be run and it will report as to compatibility of the computer with Windows 7. However, it is likely that if you are having this trouble, then the tool may not run properly.

Here it is.

[MANEMAN]

That is some very good advice andsome has given you there, It will probably save you wasting time and money.

As for your previous question: (Re - MBR Fix)

Thanks for the suggestion. "How do I install this - can I boot it from a CD or something similar"

I dont think you could have read the bit where I said:

personally I have never tried "MBR Fix" so cannot comment on what sort of job it does.

If you have been unable to follow the story that far, or cannot work out how to use "MBR Fix", I wouldn't even bother trying to fix the MBR yourself.

Perhaps you have a friend with Computer savvy, or a tech guy who lives in the neighbourhood ?

[andreasr2d2]

That is some very good advice andsome has given you there, It will probably save you wasting time and money.

As for your previous question: (Re - MBR Fix)

Thanks for the suggestion. "How do I install this - can I boot it from a CD or something similar"

I dont think you could have read the bit where I said:

personally I have never tried "MBR Fix" so cannot comment on what sort of job it does.

If you have been unable to follow the story that far, or cannot work out how to use "MBR Fix", I wouldn't even bother trying to fix the MBR yourself.

Perhaps you have a friend with Computer savvy, or a tech guy who lives in the neighbourhood ?

i was able to get into the Recovery Console by borrowing of my friend's CDs. Do you have any suggestions on what commands I could try? I already rebuilt the boot configuration and fixed the MBR. Thanks in advance!

[MANEMAN]

Hi again.

Try this link: http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[andsome]

This won't solve your current problem of course, but is a good advert for having a back up program like Acronis, and simply installing your system from there.

[MANEMAN]

andsome Said: This won't solve your current problem of course.

Optimism and confidence required at all times please. :lol: :lol:

Off Topic - and apologies to andreasR2D2 for drifting off topic.

I installed, ERUNT, RevoUninstaller, and Acronis on my mates computer this morning andsome. Showed him how to use Acronis, did a backup for him, and cleaned his computer up a bit.

No big deal, except he lives 320 miles away from me in Hertfordshire. Done it all by remote with the amazing ***TeamViewer*** FREE !!!

All together now !!! ............... "Who's a clever boy then." B) :lol:

Take no notice of him Andreas. Do your Windows XP Repair........ And then when it's all up and running again invest a few shekels in ***ACRONIS*** You will soon think of it as money well spent, and it is going to save you a lot of pain in the future.

John.