Windows doesn't boot

[underworld288]

I bought a copy of Windows XP Professional awhile back, it was an OEM copy, I installed it on a HDD but now every time I go to boot up my computer restarts after the boot screen comes up. What do I doto fix it?

 

[SirKenin]

Which boot screen? The one with the Windows logo and the moving "lights" underneath it?

 

[underworld288]

yea that one

 

[Iluvpenguins]

You get a blue screen right before it restarts right?It flashes for like 2 miliseconds?

 

[SirKenin]

That is usually either a driver problem or rogue software. The computer tries to load it, can't, and reboots the computer.

Try booting into safe mode to get rid of the problem. If you can't go into safe mode either then it is a problem with your Registry.

 

[underworld288]

ok I tried to boot to safe mode it tried to go but then stoped when load this file....

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows\System32\giveio.sys

any suggestions? thanks

 

[SirKenin]

Do you have a program called SpeedFan on your computer?

 

[underworld288]

yes, why?

 

[SirKenin]

Because SpeedFan is what installed that file. Somehow you should try and get rid of it and see what happens.

 

[underworld288]

how would I dow that? boot up a DOS floppy and manually delete the speedfan folder?

 

[SirKenin]

I'm not exactly sure. I've been thinking about it and haven't come up with a solution yet. Does booting with "Last known good configuration" do anything for you?

 

[underworld288]

ok I tried what you said and that didn't work so then I tried to do a repair install and that didn't work either, but now after the boot screen I see a blue screen flash up for a split second then the computer restartes.

any ideas?
thanks

 

[SirKenin]

Yeah. A big open field, an M1A1 Abrams tank and good aim.

I would just reformat. The blue screen is a driver problem. If you can't get into safe mode or normal mode to fix it you're kind of up the creek without a paddle. The only thing I can suggest as a last ditch effort is to recover an old copy of the registry hive. I will provide you with a link that has detailed instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

 

[underworld288]

well actually that is the problem I tried to reformat, it worked, but I cant activate the copy of windows because I already activated that copy. I don't know what to do.

 

[SirKenin]

Call up Microsoft. They will give you a new ID so that you can reactivate it. That's the one thing I really hate about this activation nonsense.

 

[underworld288]

ok ill try that and see what happens

thanks

 

[dannaswolcott]

i would say run a repair on windows. if that dont help, format and reinstall everything. if that dont help, then its a driver issue or a driver conflict.