Computer goes through infinite reboots

jefftech · 04-16-2005, 05:47 PM

My computer goes through continuous reboots. I have already reformatted and reinstalled Windows 2000 Pro. The screen will get to the "windows starting up.." screen, but will then reboot and start the whole process over again.

Ive tried running a fixboot through recovery console, as well as booting from safe mode. No luck with those at all. Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for yalls help in advance.

**jgvernonco** · 04-16-2005, 06:35 PM

Can you successfully boot from your disc? If so, I would try a repair install.

Let us know.

fgonzalez0 · 04-17-2005, 05:49 AM

I've seen this on some older machines. Go into the BIOS and check the ACPI settings or the power settings and turn it on. That fixed it on a bunch of older Dells that I had installed W2KPRO on...

hope that helps you.

jefftech · 04-17-2005, 09:43 AM

Yes, I have tried a repair by booting from the CD, but there was no fix at all.

I will check the BIOS settings and look at the ACPI settings.

Thanks for the ideas everyone.

jefftech · 04-20-2005, 01:13 PM

This is some other information that may be helpful.

The machine is an IBM NetVista 2254. Sometimes when I boot it up, it will tell me that the bootsector has changed. It says that the change can be caused by a virus or recent hardware change. Then it goes through it's usual infinite reboots (never making it to the actual OS). A couple of times it will get to the Windows 2000 pro startup screen, but then it just freezes.

I have run a diagnostics test and everything tested fine.

Any ideas?

jefftech · 04-21-2005, 09:28 AM

OK. I think the I have a boot sector virus. Ive tried reformatting and reinstalling the OS. But no luck at all.

Anyone know how I can get rid of a boot sector virus. My operating system is Windows 2000 Pro. Thanks.

peontech · 04-22-2005, 10:48 AM

I have had success in the past eliminating some boot sector viruses by rewriting the Master Boot Record using FDISK. In case you haven't resolved your issue yet, here is a link to some information about FDisk and it's associated hidden switches. Check the hyperlinks for the additonal info, especially /MBR and /CMBR <DISK> which allows you to recreate your mbr on a different drive. Here's the hyperlink, make sure you understand the switches completely so you can judge if and which is appropriate for your situation.
http://www.computerhope.com/fdiskhlp.htm#04
You might also see if you can access c:\boot.ini and make sure the computer is looking in the correct partition for the system drive you are trying to launch. If you do have to reinstall, you may consider doing a search for OSL2000, pretty easy product for running multiple OS's.

Good judgement comes from experience, which comes from bad judgement.

MAQ_FR · 04-22-2005, 01:58 PM

Jefftec

Before you try messing about with fdisk/mbr etc, it could be a USB issue;

I've seen it several times on Dell, Compaq & NEC servers & pc's, its caused by bios conflicts from loading drivers during the post sequence & change over to O/S boot.

In bios (if you have the option) try disabling USB controller, if not try rebooting WITHOUT any USB device connnected - including any modem etc, even a usb mouse/keyboard - change em for a ps2 to try.

It could be worth trying - but if you have no USB then sorry if it doesn't help.

regardz

Maq

jefftech · 04-22-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peontech

I have had success in the past eliminating some boot sector viruses by rewriting the Master Boot Record using FDISK. In case you haven't resolved your issue yet, here is a link to some information about FDisk and it's associated hidden switches. Check the hyperlinks for the additonal info, especially /MBR and /CMBR <DISK> which allows you to recreate your mbr on a different drive. Here's the hyperlink, make sure you understand the switches completely so you can judge if and which is appropriate for your situation.
http://www.computerhope.com/fdiskhlp.htm#04
You might also see if you can access c:\boot.ini and make sure the computer is looking in the correct partition for the system drive you are trying to launch. If you do have to reinstall, you may consider doing a search for OSL2000, pretty easy product for running multiple OS's.

Good judgement comes from experience, which comes from bad judgement.

Isn't the fdisk command only for 95/98/ME? For 2000 Pro, the recovery console is used to repair the MBR. Correct me if I am wrong.

jefftech · 04-22-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAQ_FR

Jefftec

Before you try messing about with fdisk/mbr etc, it could be a USB issue;

I've seen it several times on Dell, Compaq & NEC servers & pc's, its caused by bios conflicts from loading drivers during the post sequence & change over to O/S boot.

In bios (if you have the option) try disabling USB controller, if not try rebooting WITHOUT any USB device connnected - including any modem etc, even a usb mouse/keyboard - change em for a ps2 to try.

It could be worth trying - but if you have no USB then sorry if it doesn't help.

regardz

Maq

It could quite possibly be that. Although, I do not have nay USB devices plugged in during startup. I will try to disable the USB controller if possible. Thanks.

jefftech · 04-27-2005, 11:48 AM

A friend of mine insists that it is probably the processor causing the computer to reboot over and over again.

I don't believe that to be the issue. I ran diagnostic tests from IBM and the processor checked out OK. Anyone else have any ideas, besides my friend's advice of tossing the computer and getting a new one?

04-16-2005, 05:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
jefftech Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 OS: Windows XP	Computer goes through infinite reboots My computer goes through continuous reboots. I have already reformatted and reinstalled Windows 2000 Pro. The screen will get to the "windows starting up.." screen, but will then reboot and start the whole process over again. Ive tried running a fixboot through recovery console, as well as booting from safe mode. No luck with those at all. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks for yalls help in advance.

04-16-2005, 06:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,958 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	Can you successfully boot from your disc? If so, I would try a repair install. Let us know. __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

04-17-2005, 05:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
fgonzalez0 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5 OS: WinXP	acpi I've seen this on some older machines. Go into the BIOS and check the ACPI settings or the power settings and turn it on. That fixed it on a bunch of older Dells that I had installed W2KPRO on... hope that helps you.

04-22-2005, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
peontech Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1 OS: XP	Recreating the Master Boot Record I have had success in the past eliminating some boot sector viruses by rewriting the Master Boot Record using FDISK. In case you haven't resolved your issue yet, here is a link to some information about FDisk and it's associated hidden switches. Check the hyperlinks for the additonal info, especially /MBR and /CMBR <DISK> which allows you to recreate your mbr on a different drive. Here's the hyperlink, make sure you understand the switches completely so you can judge if and which is appropriate for your situation. http://www.computerhope.com/fdiskhlp.htm#04 You might also see if you can access c:\boot.ini and make sure the computer is looking in the correct partition for the system drive you are trying to launch. If you do have to reinstall, you may consider doing a search for OSL2000, pretty easy product for running multiple OS's. Good judgement comes from experience, which comes from bad judgement. Last edited by peontech; 04-22-2005 at 11:06 AM.

04-17-2005, 09:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
jefftech Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 OS: Windows XP	Yes, I have tried a repair by booting from the CD, but there was no fix at all. I will check the BIOS settings and look at the ACPI settings. Thanks for the ideas everyone.

04-20-2005, 01:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
jefftech Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 OS: Windows XP	This is some other information that may be helpful. The machine is an IBM NetVista 2254. Sometimes when I boot it up, it will tell me that the bootsector has changed. It says that the change can be caused by a virus or recent hardware change. Then it goes through it's usual infinite reboots (never making it to the actual OS). A couple of times it will get to the Windows 2000 pro startup screen, but then it just freezes. I have run a diagnostics test and everything tested fine. Any ideas?

04-21-2005, 09:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
jefftech Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 OS: Windows XP	OK. I think the I have a boot sector virus. Ive tried reformatting and reinstalling the OS. But no luck at all. Anyone know how I can get rid of a boot sector virus. My operating system is Windows 2000 Pro. Thanks.

04-22-2005, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
MAQ_FR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Switzerland (origin: Scotland) Posts: 134 OS: WinXP pro: 2003 Server: 2008 Server: RHES 4	Jefftec Before you try messing about with fdisk/mbr etc, it could be a USB issue; I've seen it several times on Dell, Compaq & NEC servers & pc's, its caused by bios conflicts from loading drivers during the post sequence & change over to O/S boot. In bios (if you have the option) try disabling USB controller, if not try rebooting WITHOUT any USB device connnected - including any modem etc, even a usb mouse/keyboard - change em for a ps2 to try. It could be worth trying - but if you have no USB then sorry if it doesn't help. regardz Maq

04-27-2005, 11:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
jefftech Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 OS: Windows XP	A friend of mine insists that it is probably the processor causing the computer to reboot over and over again. I don't believe that to be the issue. I ran diagnostic tests from IBM and the processor checked out OK. Anyone else have any ideas, besides my friend's advice of tossing the computer and getting a new one?