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
    2012-10-10T20:04:21+00:00

    a) As I reported earlier, I’ve scanned the problem computer (compA) multiple times (full scan) using Microsoft Safety Scanner 1.0.3001.0, since the problem started (Oct 2, 2012, following the MSE automatic update).

    NO viruse, spyware, or other potentially unwanted software was detected.

    That is insufficient to fix an infection that already snuck through.

    What you describe is a classic example of a malware infection. You basically have two choices:

    1. Flatten and rebuild (which is drastic and very time-consuming)

    or

    1. Scan aggressively for malware.

    If you decide to do the latter, I recommend (for starters) scanning with the FREE version (not the full version, not the trial offer of the full version) of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware:

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

    It is only an on-demand scanner and it plays well with all antivirus programs, including MSE (that is, there will not be any conflicts).

    Download, install, update the progam and then scan your C: drive. Then post the results in your next post in this thread.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-10T23:44:52+00:00

    What Daavee just said (his #1 only). Here's my version:

    See...

       • Cleaning a Compromised System

          http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

    Follow the instructions in this post of mine in another forum (to-the-letter &in order! ) to return your computer to a secure & functional state: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=44636

    Note: The computer-in-question should NOT be connected to the internetor any local networks (i.e., other computers) in its current state. All of your personal data (e.g., online banking & credit-card passwords) should be considered at-risk, if not already compromised.

    Good luck!  Over & outta here...

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-11T01:14:01+00:00

    Hi Daavee;

    1) I followed your 2nd suggestion: “Scan aggressively for malware.”

    and accessed the link you kindly provided:

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

    I downloaded the Malware Bytes Anti-Malware, installed, and updated it to V2012.10.10.10.

    2) I ran a full system scan (C:) on the local problem PC compA (Win XP, in Safe Mode).

    (Surprisingly, the Scanner window displayed at the top: “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Trial)”, although I’m sure I selected the FREE on-demand Scanner!

    It might be just a generic name for the anti-malware application, and there’s nothing to worry about.

    3) The scan was completed, and I got the message:

    The scan completed successfully.

    No malicious items were detected.

    OK.

    4) The scan results log file was then displayed: mbam-log-2012-10-10 (19-50-16).txt :

    Objects Detected: 0

    Memory Processes Detected: 0

    Registry Modules Detected: 0

    Registry Keys Detected: 0

    Registry Values Detected: 0

    Registry Data Detected: 0

    Folders Detected: 0

    Files Detected: 0

    (end)

    Regards.

    Monir

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