WinXP PRO Safemode Auto Reboot Loop

[wgardenhire]

As is my habit, I periodically run my scanners while in safemode to guard against any particularly nasty intruder. You know, the ones that try to hide below the radar, so to speak. The safemode reboot resulted in an auto reboot. I have attempted to force safemode through every avenue available including HAK. Even Advanced Users Control Panel and Recovery Console have been no help. Repair install, System File Checker, chkdsk /r, you name it. I have run every scanner known to man, I think. Scanners have been run from system and online. From HiJack This on down, nothing reveals nothing. All drivers are XP compatible. CPU temp is 62C. I have checked and rechecked, repaired and re-repaired. The only thing I can find is in Event Viewer System log. Source is Svr, ID is 2000; this shows as an error code. MS Knowleged Base has no info. The Web has nothing except references to a problem with Win2000/NT. That recommends a servpack. BTW, MS Baseline Security Analyzer also gives clean bill of health. Call me crazy, but I think that something is hooking the function call with a redirect to a psuedo safemode screen which is being used to cover a boot call. Does this make sense to anyone. Is it possible. I need some truly serious help. I'll dance at your wedding, sing at your funeral, AND, vote for you in the next election; if you could only help me out.

[Curio]

Are you saying you can't boot safe mode?

[wgardenhire]

That is what I'm saying. No matter which route I take, the end result is a non-anticipated, non user initiated system restart. What's happening? Oh, BTW, Curio, I would if I could, but I cannot because there are none.

[Reverend]

Have you installed any new software recently ??

[wgardenhire]

Only XP update KB898461. Surely that.......OMG. I wonder. I just looked back a little further. On the 15th, I have 5 Security Updates; 883939, 896428, 890046, 896358, & 896422. That's 6 total new updates to system just prior to safemode boot failure. I guess I have my work cut out for me now. Nothing but uninstall, re-install, rule out.

[Reverend]

Only XP update KB898461. Surely that.......OMG. I wonder.

I wouldn't think its that causing the problem. That is just an update that installs a permanent copy of the Package Installer.

Have you tried system restore ?? Select a point prior to the windows updates.

Alternatively uninstall the updates one by one via add/remove

[FastGame]

Thats real odd, seems as though you've tried pretty much everything other than you know what....Format.

Hopefully someone will have an answer.

[edit]=Mr someone showed up= Curio

[wgardenhire]

Yepper, that's awhat I'ma saying. Scary, ain't it?

[phishhead]

to start 62 c is extremely high...with that said I would try taking all cards out except video and disconnect all IDE devices except your primary hard drive and see if boots up. If it boots up start connecting one at a time till you find the culprit.

[wgardenhire]

Thanx Phishhead, I'll see what I can do about that temp problem immediately. I really wasn't aware that it was that high. I've always seen that kind of temp.

[wgardenhire]

Disabling Auto restart was one of the first things I tried. Have done that from msconfig, boot.ini, you name it. However, I just checked and I'll be damned. Didn't change it back after repair install. Gonna log off and try one of my forces. I'll be right back.

[wgardenhire]

I can do that in a boot process, without uninstalling the drivers, can't I? Or is it better to completely uninstall?

[Reverend]

I can do that in a boot process, without uninstalling the drivers, can't I? Or is it better to completely uninstall?

Try both. Although total uninstall would be more efficient than a selective boot.

[wgardenhire]

I tried a safemode boot resulting in a reboot. After the safemode screen in low resolution, XP start screen comes up low graphics, starts RCPSS, executes wlnotify, returns to safemode screen hi graphics, reboots. I also tried safemode command prompt, just to see, same sequence except that after safemode screen in hi graphics, command prompt screen (full screen) comes up in lo grahics only momentarily, then a reboot.

[rik]

Let me catch up...the system boots fine in normal mode but will not boot into Safe mode without rebooting itself?

I wouldn't suspect a driver of that. How about killing all startups and non-MS services? Or during a safe mode boot, what is the last driver that loads before the reboot?