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
    2012-10-20T13:52:59+00:00

    Hi Robear;

    Below are my answers to your questions, using your numbering list:

    1a. MSE Created April 25, 2012

    .............. Modified October 17, 2012 (date of MS remote session)

    1b. MSE Antimalware Client Version 4.1.522.0

    ...... (As I reported earlier, it was 4.0.1526.0 after installing KB2754926 on Oct 2nd, and before MS remote session)

    2. ALL the KBs are listed. Some of them were installed on Oct 17, 2012 (date of MS remote session)

    (I did confirm your earlier and slightly different list of KBs few days ago!)

    (a) I have KB2661254-v2 instead of KB2661254

    Despite having IE8 installed, there’s NO Security Update for Windows Internet 8 KB listed under Security Update for Windows XP

    3. Regarding Java, I got the same answer as I’d reported earlier:

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

    I didn’t.

    If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Right?

    The PC has been working fine since MS solved the problem couple of days ago.

    Q1: Should I install Java??

    Q2: Would installing Java mitigate or prevent “System Indefinite Restart” problem from possibly reoccurring in the future??

    Regards.

    Monir

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-20T17:38:56+00:00

    Despite having IE8 installed, there’s NO Security Update for Windows Internet 8 KB listed under Security Update for Windows XP

    1. Enable Show Hidden Files and Folders per this tutorial => http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-see-hidden-files-in-windows/#winxp

    2a. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on...

        • **C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32**MSHTML.DLL <=this file

    ...and select PROPERTIES | VERSION (tab)

    2b. What file version is displayed on the VERSION tab (e.g., v8.0.6000.98765)?

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-20T22:37:31+00:00

    Hi Robear;

    1. Hidden Files and Folders is already Enabled.

    Despite having IE8 installed, there’s NO Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 KB listed under Security Update for Windows XP

    2b. *C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32* MSHTML.DLL (~ 5.8 MB, Aug 28, 2012)

    ..... Version 8.0.6001.19328

    You asked earlier (twice):

    3. Is Java Version 7 Update 9 (or higher) installed?

    and I answered (twice):

    3. Regarding Java, I got the same answer as I’d reported earlier:

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

    I didn’t.

    If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Right?

    The PC has been working fine since MS solved the problem couple of days ago.

    Q1: Should I install Java??

    Q2: Would installing Java mitigate or prevent “System Indefinite Restart” problem from possibly reoccurring in the future??

    Any comments on Q1 and Q2 above??

    Thank you

    Monir

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