Windows xp home advanced boot menu loop

4

4on4off

Well-known member
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Jul 10, 2012
Posts
141
Hello,

Have a laptop with windows xp home that is stuck in an advanced boot menu loop no matter what options chosen from within that menu. Occasionally a blue screen with a few sentences flashes too quickly to read.

I tried replacing the HDD with another one from a laptop that has been sitting around but it does the same loop, this other HDD has been sitting in a laptop that had power cord issues so it has not been turned on in months. Not sure if that matters.

Also, replacement charger adapter is not recongnized, I don't know if that would cause this issue. I have read that an internal identification wire must be damaged to cause this error message.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

4
 
Once of the choices in the Advanced Boot Menu is to "Disable automatic restart on system failure" - please select that and see if you can read what the BSOD says (here's a jpeg that has the needed info in RED)
bsod.jpg


Then -
Start with bootable diagnostics: http://www.carrona.org/initdiag.html

Then move on to Recovery Console and these commands ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058 ) if the hard drive passes the diagnostics:

fixboot
fixmbr
bootcfg /rebuild

Post back with your results and we'll move on from there.
 
usasma,

Forgive me in the delayed response. I apologize.

I started this topic thinking my worries were over with anothe project I have going cloning a failing HDD for my nephew while it appears that the clone may have worked I am still having a boot issue I am trying to work out. When I finish that, whether it be fixed or a clean install, I will follow your instructions you provided.

I will get back to this when I can.

Again, I aplogize and thank you for your assistance.

4
 
Not a problem, I get notified by email when you reply - so I'll be back after you post again.
 
Finally got as chance to work on this. I haven't compiled all the information yet as I am using the bootable HDD diag. from the links you provided.

Just wanted to know if it usually takes awhile for the Hitachi DFT?

Also, the BSOD gives Unmountable_boot_ volume for a symbolic name. I will have the rest of that information after I run the HDDdiag. I just wanted to ask about the Hitachi DFT incase the time to load was an indication of a problem.

Thank you

4
 
Sometimes an extended load time can be indicative of a problem with the hard drive (the program is trying to locate the hard drive and it can't).
If the Hitachi DFT doesn't work, then try the Seagate Seatools.

Just FYI - with most OS's (and especially with XP) you can't take a hard drive from one system and use it on another system without a lot of prep work.
In this case BSOD's and boot loops are normal behavior. The new hard drive must have a repair install of Windows run on it to have any hope of making it work without errors.
 
usasma said:
Sometimes an extended load time can be indicative of a problem with the hard drive (the program is trying to locate the hard drive and it can't).
If the Hitachi DFT doesn't work, then try the Seagate Seatools.

Just FYI - with most OS's (and especially with XP) you can't take a hard drive from one system and use it on another system without a lot of prep work.
In this case BSOD's and boot loops are normal behavior. The new hard drive must have a repair install of Windows run on it to have any hope of making it work without errors.
Click to expand...

Got it:thumbsup2:


Just starting a 6 day run at work, I will try the seagate seatools when I get a chance and return with the results and the complete BSOD information requested durning my 24 hr break in a few days.

Thank you.

4
 
Okay, ran the seagate seatools,,,, failed both the long and short test.

Here is the info from the BSOD:

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

***STOP: 0x000000ED (0x83B5F900, 0xC000009C, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

There was nothing for a specific file that the error occured in.

4
 
It sounds like the hard disk has failed. It could just be that the hard disk is not connected to the system properly.
Check whether the hard disk is physically connected to the motherboard properly. To do so:
  • Shut down and turn off the computer
  • Remove the AC Adapter
  • Remove the battery
  • Hold down the power button for 15-30 seconds to close the circuit and drain any residual power
  • Remove the panel on the underside of the laptop where the hard disk is housed
  • Remove and re-insert the hard disk by sliding it away from the connector and then gently but firmly pressing it back into the connector (no screws should need to be removed to do this step on most systems, but consult your system manual for the steps to replace your hard disk)
  • Replace the panel on the underside of the laptop to cover the hard disk
  • Replace the battery
  • Replace the AC Adapter
  • Turn on the computer and see how it responds

Post back once these steps have been implemented whether the system is stable. Sometimes these crashes can occur due to a loose connection.​
 
Steps have been implemented but, unless I am looking at this wrong, there are two screws to remove and the hdd slides out so I am unable to remove the cover and get a visual on the connection.

If that makes sense.

The laptop continues to loop to the options for safe mode, last know good config and start normally.

4
 
Please let us know the make and model of the laptop (so someone with some experience with it or similar models can be more detailed)

Laptop hard drives usually have:
- a cover on the bottom of the laptop that's secured with 1 or 2 screws (#1 Phillips head - #0 Phillips head on Sony's)
- 0 to 3 screws that hold the hard drive to the system (#1 Phillips head - #0 Phillips head on Sony's) Some Dells are worse.
Then you slide the hard drive away from the connector (on a few HP laptops you have to lift the assembly out)
- 4 screws that hold the actual hard drive in a "caddy" - which can either be a flimsy piece of plastic or a metal case (#1 Phillips head)

After a lot of practice I can replace one in a minute or two - it's that easy with practice.
Give us the make and model and we'll look it up (you can usually also find YouTube videos showing exactly how to do it)>
Click to expand...

Just recalled a couple of Dell's and Gateways that are even easier.
2 screws then it slides out of the laptop case
1 or 2 screws to remove the "caddy"
All are #1 Phillips head (cross-tip)
 
It is a Dell Vostro 1000

Sorry I did not mention that at the onset.

I remove the two screws and the hdd slides out the side.
 
Then there's between 1 and 4 screws holding the caddy and plastic thingie to the hard drive (more screws usually = an earlier system)
Just take them out and the hard driver should fall out into your hand.
Insert a new hard drive the same way and screw it back together.

You'll have to buy an new hard drive. Take the old one with you to the store so that you can see what kind it is (pictures here:
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&h...w=168&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:88

You'll also need your Dell recovery disks to reinstall Windows. If you don't have them, post back and we'll have some suggestions.
 
As far as the new hdd, I have another laptop with one that is slightly bigger. Could I use that one?

It is the one that I slapped in there for the heck of it to see what would happen. I believe it has vista on it instead of xp. It is also a SATA hdd.
 
No, it did the same loop thing.

So I was not sure it was the old hdd or if there was in issue with the vista hdd since it has been sitting.

Shoot, now I am not 100% certain, maybe I will pop it in again to make sure.
 
With XP you couldn't swap hard drives - they would do the loop thing
With Win7 it's becoming fairly common to swap hard drives (although I haven't done it).

So, I'd suspect that there would be some that could and some that couldn't be swapped.
You can do a repair install - but you have to get into Vista to do it.
So, if it doesn't get into Vista, then you're going to have to install XP on the hard drive (and wipe the Vista out).
 
Ok, I will see if I can get into vista for the repair.

If not...I do not have an xp home cd that i can locate as of yet

I popped in the vista hdd and I am going to run the seatools.

It passed the short test and I am running the long test now. Atleast we will know if it is ok before trying to repair or isntall xp.

I do have a recovery cd that was made for a desktop i Have that has vista on it.
 
say the vista hdd passes the both tests....

If I am able to get in to vista for a repair install or if it is home premium, use the recovery cd I have for the desktop, will I need the product key? Just asking cuz it is worn off the laptop but if so I should be able to locate it on the hdd if i can get in, I believe.
 
okay it passed the long test as well. It does the same loop and the BSOD is as follows:

***STOP: 0x0000007B (0x080399BB0, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Looking closer the recovery disc I have for the vista machine is the media center additions and the vista hdd in question is not but I believe I have located a xp home edition disc.

Given the stop message above is it okay to proceed with the xp disc?
 
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