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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2012-10-05T17:48:52+00:00

    Hi Elizabeth;

    1) I can assure you that there's NO CD in the drive.

    2) It is IBM desktop. Sorry I forgot to mention that earlier!

    3) Will try Safe Mode with Networking and try to connect to the internet and FixIt.

    Never tried this Windows Advanced Menu Option before, since I mistakenly thought it deals with multiple computers on a network!

    4) I hope it’s not a hardware issue!

    5) I honestly don’t have the heart to open the case!

    Years ago, I opened a laptop, and haven’t been able since to put it back together!!

    I’m under the impression that once the computer components are exposed to light, they mysteriously expand!!!!!!!

    Regards.

    Monir

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T17:00:04+00:00

    C. I saw reports on the net saying a blank CD in the drive can cause that CMOS error. Since you don't have a CD in the drive, it sounds like the CMOS chip which stores BIOS settings has failed. None of the things you're planning will fix a hardware issue.

    You never mentioned if this is a desktop or laptop. If it's a desktop, you could unplug the system from the wall. Press/hold the power button for ~15 sec. Then open the case and remove the battery from the motherboard. Press/hold the power button again for ~30 sec and reinstall the battery - right side up! If that doesn't fix it then the only solution is to replace the motherboard.

    Above from Rohe at the Dell forum.

    A. There is besides Safe Mode, Safe Mode with networking, this will allow you to connect to internet.

    C. http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/832916-solved-cmos-test-pattern-failed.html

    this thread says to check your manufacture for a Bios update. Please read.

    E. clear event viewer so that you are looking at the latest errors from the most recent restart.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T15:46:24+00:00

    Hi;

    a) Couldn’t run FixIt, because I couldn’t connect to the internet (Windows XP 32-bit running in a Safe Mode!!). Another frustration!

    b) Will try to create a portable version of FixIt using another computer (Win 7 64-bit).

    c) In the meantime, I ran PC-Doctor for Windows: “Diagnostics –> Extended Self Test”.

    It performed 30 tests: System Memory, CMOS, HDD, CPU, etc.

    It took ~ 2 hours to go through 2 Passes out of 9999.

    I aborted PC-Doctor at the start of Pass 3, and opened the Test Log.

    All tests PASSED, except: “CMOS Test, Patterns Test”. It **FAILED**

    ...... CMOS failed patterns test:

    ...... _EVENT: 335_2

    ...................Write/Read failed at address 10H: wrote FFH, read 00H

    ...................Write/Read failed at address 11H: wrote FFH, read 00H

    ....................................................................................................................

    ...................Write/Read failed at address 19H: wrote FFH, read 00H

    Is this critical since the CMOS Data Integrity Test PASSED ??

    d) Next, I thought I might be able to use PC-Doctor Tools to remove MSE.

    I was wrong, besides some of the Doctor’s options are not available when running in safe mode.

    e) Next, I accessed the Event Viewer – System and looked at the contents.

    There’re a lot of Errors created in the last few days (since the automatic restarting) with the listed Source: Microsoft Antimalware, DCOM, and Service Control Manager.

    Are any of these Errors related to MSE?? Perhaps the Antimalware!

    f) My next task is to try b) above and hope for the best!

    Regards.

    Monir

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