Win XP: System Suddenly Keeps Restarting Indefinitely ??

Anonymous

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 .... ”

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

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hi ALL;

The issue has been resolved by MS.

Please see my latest reply:

Win XP SP3 (Safe Mode): Windows Updates Server Checks for Updates but Wouldn’t Install Them ??

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

Regards.

Monir

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55 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-10-09T04:17:20+00:00

Hi Robear;

Thank you kindly for your thoughtful and comprehensive reply.

Below are my answers to your diagnostic questions, using your numbering list.

1.a I chose to install MSE few years ago. It had been working fine till last week’s Update (OP, Item 1)

The PC (Win XP Home, SP3, 32-bit) now works only in Safe Mode.

1.b MSE was created: October 25, 2010

1.c MSE version: 4.0.1526.0

1.d I don’t remember the Definitions version, since I can no longer Open MSE.

Open MSE produces the Error:

Microsoft Security Client

An error has occurred in the program during initialization.

If this problem continues, please contact your system administrator.

Error Code: 0x80070715

OK

2. I used Norton Antivirus, then Windows Live OneCare Antivirus on this computer years ago before switching to MSE.

3. Yes, I had Norton on this PC a while back.

4. I don’t remember whether a Norton trial version had been initially installed, but I remember paying the yearly subscription for its renewal for a number of years.

5. Add/Remove with Updates:

under Security Update for Windows XP

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

..... Couldn’t find any of the above

(b) KB2698365, KB2691442, KB2655992 & KB2719985

..... Couldn't locate any of the above

(c) KB2707511, KB2676562, KB2659262 & KB2686509

.............NO...................YES.................YES.....................YES.........

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

.............YES...................YES.................YES.....................YES...................YES......

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

.............YES....................................................................................................YES........

Q1: Are the above "missing" KBs critical ??

Q2: Could I search for each of the above missing KB at microsoft.com for Win XP and download them ??

Q3: C ould it be done with Windows running in safe mode ??

There is NO KB displayed as Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 under Security Update for Windows XP.

There’re however 21 KB updates under Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8

Q4: Is that what you meant ??

6.a “No working Java was detected on your system. Install Java by clicking the button below.”

I didn’t.

Q5: Should I ??

6.b “You have Adobe Flash Player version 8.0.22.0 installed.”

Q6: Should I upgrade to: Internet Explorer (Windows 8) .... Player version 11.3.375.10 ??

7. There might be Firefox, Chrome, MSN Explorer, etc., but I don’t recall using other than IE8 on this computer.

With the unfamiliar desktop layout in safe mode, it is not easy to remember or to navigate!

8. Not before Oct 2, 2012.

In the last couple of days, however, I used:

a. Microsoft Safety Scanner– 1.0.3001.0 (full system scan, twice)

b. PC-Doctor diagnostics (3 times)

c. IBM Enhanced diagnostics (3 times)

All tests passed with flying colours.

9. I don’t recall ever performing Windows XP Repair Install.

Regards.

Monir
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Anonymous

2012-10-10T00:08:38+00:00
Assuming the computer-in-question belongs to you...

1a. Had your OneCare subscription already expired by the time you replaced it with MSE? [YES/NO]

1b. Did you (a) uninstall OneCare AND THEN (b) download/run the OneCare Cleanup utility & reboot (c) BEFORE you installed MSE? [YES/NO]

2a. Had your Norton subscription (or free-trial period) already expired by the time you replaced it with OneCare? [YES/NO]

2b. Have you EVER run the Norton Removal Tool? [YES/NO]
1. What is the KB number of the most-recently installed Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 listed in Add/Remove Programs (e.g., KB2722913, KB2699988, KB2675157, KB2647516)?
2. Can you open Internet Explorer (only!) to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com & run a CUSTOM (or even an EXPRESS) scan? [YES/NO]
```
Your current Flash Player version is *unbelievably* outdated & subject to
*hundreds of thousands* of security vulnerabilities. Get Flash Player v11.4.402.287 installed ASAP!  See this related post of mine =&gt;
[http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=46312](http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&amp;t=46312)
```
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Anonymous

2012-10-10T01:48:11+00:00

Hi Robear;

Appreciating those events took place years and years ago, and everything was working fine till last week (Oct 02, 2012, morning), here are my best answers using your numbered list.

1a. MOST LIKELY

1b. Don’t remember, but MOST LIKELY

2a. YES

2b. PROBABLY, BUT NOT SURE!

3. Security update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 – Software Updates:

................... Most recent: KB2598845........ Installed on: 4/25/2012

.....................................and: KB2632503........ Installed on: 4/25/2012 (same date)

4. YES, I could open IE8 (Windows in Safe Mode): http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

I got the following Security Warning:

Do you want to install this software?

Name: Windows Update

Publisher: Microsoft Windows Component Publisher

.... Install..................Don’t Install

I selected Install, and got the two option buttons:

EXPRESS

CUSTOM

Pressing either button produced:

The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view.

I’ve just updated Adobe Flash Player to version: 11.4.402.287

I tried after that to boot in normal Windows (wishful thinking!), and the system started to automatically restart indefinitely!

Kind regards.

Monir
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