xp keeps rebooting, cant get into the OS or Safemode

[JCROCCO]

I am helping a friend whos computer stopped working. it just recycles throu the boot up process, and the XP splash screen comes on for about 5 seconds, then reboots again. No matter what I try, safemode, last known, etc, it does the same thing. I ran memtester and the memory checked out fine. I removed and reinstalled all the cables and cards and memory, in case a short or something. Didnt help. I thought it may be overheating, which happens witht he XP machines when the fan clips break, so I turned it off for a few hours, and the first boot up it did the same thing. i tried to repair windows, but when I got past the agreement section, it went straight to the partitioning of the drive, didnt give me the repair option. it seems like it is reading the HDD's in the posting process. I cant get into safemode, as it starts to then just reboots. Any ideas? It is a desktop computer, a few years old, not sure what service pack. Kind of doubt its a virus though, but it could be.

 

[discerning]

To rule out a virus, run a rescue disc, such as BitDefender or Kaspersky.

 

[JCROCCO]

I cant get into windows.

 

[RU482]

is the SATA mode set to ACHI?
for XP, it most likely should be set to IDE

 

[JCROCCO]

Not sure actually, nor where to set that, in the bios? its been a working computer for 3 years with no changes, so not sure if this would cause the current issue.

 

[Ketchup]

I don't see enough information for us to help you. What happened when the computer stopped working? Did it freeze in the middle of something? Was it working fine/slow the last time it worked? Did he install anything right before this happened? You can try http://chrisburgess.com.au/reinstalling-or-repairing-the-windows-xp-bootloader/ but at this point it is mostly just a guess as to solving your problem.

 

[discerning]

I cant get into windows.

Rescue disks boot from the CD, it doesn't boot into Windows.

 

[JCROCCO]

well, the computer was running Kaspersky, but I dont think there was a rescue disk made. If there was, it was really old. Could that still be a help?

 

[discerning]

http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208282173

http://www.bitdefender.com/support/How-to-create-a-BitDefender-Rescue-CD-627.html

 

[D.SKiLL]

firstly preform a power drain. Then use an XP install disc to get into recovery mode. from there you can rebuild the MBR, amongst other things, here is a list & some instructions on how to use the console,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058