Win XP: System Suddenly Keeps Restarting Indefinitely ??

Anonymous
2012-10-03T00:48:00+00:00

Original Title: Win XP: System Suddenly Keeps Restarting Indefinitely ??

Hello;

I’ve browsed through relevant posts with similar titles, but couldn’t find a direct answer to the problem.

Most likely I missed the answer somewhere, and I hope you don’t mind.

Here’s a summary including my unsuccessful attempts.

1) Following 2 automatic updates earlier today:

... a. Microsoft Security Essentials Update (sounds different than the regular Definition Update!)

... b. Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

the computer keeps restarting indefinitely!

I can’t even delete those latest updates, assuming I can specifically identify them and assuming they’re the culprit!

2) Pressing the power button, Windows starts, and I log on with my user name.

The system continues with the desktop icons and the status bar is partially displayed.

Then the error message:

“Microsoft Security Client

An error has occurred in the program during initialization .... ”

OK

After few seconds whether I press OK or not, the system automatically restarts, and restarts, and restarts, ....

3) I shut down the computer and pressed the power button.

Then F8:: Windows Advanced Options Menu

and I selected Last Known Good Configuration

Didn’t solve the continuing automatic restart problem.

4) I tried F8 and selected Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure

I got the a blue screen with lot of stuff, including:

“A problem has been detected and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer”

“Restart your computer. If this screen appears again, run a system diagnostic utility. In particular, run a memory check and check for faulty or mismatched memory.”

“Contact technical support group for further assistance.”

"Technical information:

*** STOP: 0X0000007F (0X00000000, 0X00000000, 0X00000000, 0X00000000)

Tried my best. No solution.

5) I tried F8, and selected Safe Mode.

First: I selected YES to proceed to work in Safe Mode.

........ No automatic re-starting, but Windows is running in Safe Mode.

........ I turned off the computer.

6) I repeated 5 above in a Safe Mode, but selected NO to use System Restore to restore to a previous date.

I selected Sep 30, 2012 as the Restore Point.

The system progressed, shut down, restarted, I logged on, etc., then the automatic restarting started!

7) I tried F8, and selected the option Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)

(I was encouraged by the word Restore in the option!)

I got the message:

... Windows XP Home Edition

... The Volume is Clean.

... Windows is running in Safe Mode.

I selected YES, and there was NO automatic restarting, but Windows is running in Safe Mode.

I selected NO, and specified the Restore Point Set 30, 2012. The automatic restarting began within few seconds!

Your advice and help would be greatly appreciated.

Monir

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2012-10-21T16:19:19+00:00

Hi;

Thank you Robear for your help and suggestions.

I’m fully satisfied with MS solution to the problem (my post 10/19/2012 9:20 am):

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-system/win-xp-sp3-safe-mode-windows-updates-server-checks/99b2d552-4c72-40a5-a889-6cdac25cc462?page=2#LastReply

As I reported earlier, I don’t know precisely what MS did or didn’t do upon their remote access to the PC, whether the problem/conflict was apparent to them, how much the MSE latest update package KB2754926 contributed to the problem or it was the problem, whether re-establishing access to Windows Updates corrected the problem, whether there was a malicious and hidden malware only MS in-house special tools could detect and remove while my 3 advanced scanners and MSE couldn’t, or perhaps there was an out-of-sequence or missing KB, ...

I’m hopeful MS will provide some details at some point.

In conclusion, thank you ALL for your generous time and thoughtful replies.

Regards.

Monir

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-08T18:26:24+00:00

    Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

    1a. Was Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) originally offered & installed via Windows Update or did you intentionally choose to install it?

    1b. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on

        • **C:\Program Files**Microsoft Security Client <=this folder

    Select Properties: What is the Created date displayed on the resulting General tab?

    1c. What SECURITY ESSENTIALS [or ANTIMALWARE CLIENT] version is currently installed?  To find out, open MSE & click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right of HELP then select ABOUT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

    1d. What DEFINITIONS version?

    1. What anti-virus application was installed before you originally installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?
    2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?
    3. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)
    4. Open Add/Remove Programs & make sure the Show Updates box at the top is checked (and leave it checked); then select the Name option in the Sort by box on the right. Now scroll down & tell me if ALL of the following updates are listed?

        (a) KB2744842, KB2723135, KB2705219, KB2712808, KB2731847 and possibly KB2736233;

        (b) KB2698365, KB2691442, KB2655992 & KB2719985;

        (c) KB2707511, KB2676562, KB2659262 & KB2686509;

        (d) KB2653956; KB2661637, KB2598479, KB2631813 & KB2585542

        (e) KB2393802 and especially Update for Windows XP (KB971029).

    Most will be displayed as Security Update for Windows XP followed by the KB number in parentheses.

    If IE8 is installed, one (1) will be displayed as Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 followed by the KB number in parentheses.

    6a. Is Java Version 7 Update 7 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

    6b. Is Adobe Flash Player v11.4.402.265 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

    1. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?
    2. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner)?
    3. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of WinXP for any reason?
    
Related references may include:

Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentials  

[http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/89.aspx](http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/89.aspx)

Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [*or any other anti-virus/anti-spyware application*] to clean up my already-infected computer?  

[http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275](http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275)

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-07T18:04:04+00:00

    Hi Elizabeth;

    Assuming I interpreted your latest reply correctly, I’d tried earlier to reinstall MSE (~ 36 hrs ago or so.  Sorry I’ve completely lost track of time since Oct 2nd!).

    I vividly remember getting the error message:

    “Can not install MSE while Windows is running in Safe Mode.”

    I thing I should go ahead and try Stephen Boots’ advanced procedure mseremoval.bat.

    This time I'll set a prayer before I try!

    Thanks again for your generous time and tremendous help.

    Monir

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-07T17:15:12+00:00

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect

    went through the steps for a support case and you end up being directed to the MSE Forum, the link above.

    Before I would pay anyone I would just reinstall, in all the time we have spent trying to pin this down, you could have already reinstalled. :)

    but at least you are learning.

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