Stuck in an infinite boot loop

Question

Hi,  A few days ago my laptop would not show any open programs or documents in the Windows Task Bar (at the bottom of the screen) This was so inconveniencing and frustrating since the only way I could know which applications were open, or swap between them, was to use the Windows Task Manager. So I tried to Repair Windows using the Windows XP Home Edition CD that came with my computer. I have repaired Windows twice before, and I've also done 4 clean Restores before (after I had carelessly installed dangerous programs). But now I’m stuck in an infinite Start-up boot loop, and can’t get out.   Here is what I did.  I first uninstalled SP2 which was preventing the Windows XP CD from installing (the Windows XP CD has SP1a, and I had installed SP2 on my computer).  I then booted from the Windows XP CD and selected Repair Present Software Installation from the console.  After about 45 minutes the process was complete and computer said it was restarting. This is when the looping started. Instead of going to Windows logon screen, the computer kept looping back to –   'We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this'  Here is what I’ve tried so far:  1.       I’ve tried Starting the computer in all the given options on that screen – 'Windows did not start successfully…...'  ·          Safe Mode ·          Safe Mode with Networking ·          Safe Mode with Command Prompt ·          Last known good configuration ·          Start Windows Normally  All I see is a blue screen that flashes swiftly for a split second, too fast for me to read what’s written on it. Then the Dell logo appears, with the white bar loading at the bottom of the screen. Then instead of going to the Windows logon screen, the computer loops back to the 'Windows did not start successfully……', to restart the infinite boot loop. At one time I left the computer on for 1.5 hours and found it still looping.  2.     I’ve tried F8 at boot-up to go to Windows Advanced Options Menu screen. I tried starting the computer in all the given options on that screen. They all did not work. Whatever I choose, I'm taken back to that screen again - 'Windows did not start successfully….'.   3.      I’ve tried F12 (Boot menu) and selected to boot from the CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive where I insert the Window XP CD. After the computer has prompts me to press any key to boot from CD, this message appears for about one second –  'Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration……' – then the screen goes blank (or black rather). This black screen lasts forever. No key stroke can get me out of the black screen. I have to switch off the computer every time I want to stop.   4.    I’ve tried changing the device boot priority order in the BIOS. I put the CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive at the top and inserted the Windows XP CD in the drive, but this didn’t work either. After the computer has prompted me to press any key to boot from CD, this message appears for about one second – 'Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration……' – then the screen goes blank (or black rather). This black screen lasts forever. No key stroke can get me out of the black screen. I have to switch off the computer every time I want to stop.  There is no new hardware recently installed on my computer. There are no new programs/updates recently installed/downloaded on my computer.  I have concluded that the computer cannot boot from the Internal HDD, or from the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Which actually means I cannot make a clean install. Or can I?  I’m down, but not out (yet).  Anyone to my rescue?   KC

osprey4 · Answer

KC: Well, you've certainly given it your best shot. Do you only have the one optical drive in your laptop? By the way, what is the model?

KC1109 · Answer

I only have one optical drive yes. Model - Dell Inspiron 1150, 2.4GHz, 512MB, 40GB. What did you have in mind?

By the way, from what I have managed to read on the Blue Screen Of Death as it flashes by, there is an error message which goes something like -

"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again follow these steps:

Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x0000007B (........????) "

Since I cannot access the system in any way, how do I check for viruses (if it's the case) or run CHKDSK/F?

KC.

osprey4 · Answer

See if this article helps you boot from the Windows XP disc:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?DN=1089762

If you have a virus, your anti-virus software should have an emergency utility you can run on bootup. It may be on the CD or a floppy disk. You should check with their website.

Windows General

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