Caught in an endless reboot

[Ruger]

My computer had a virus yesterday, and I deleted the infected files. Today, I had it pop up again without warning, so I figured I needed to turn off system restore and run a virus scan in safe mode.

But it wouldn't boot into safe mode, and is caught in an endless reboot loop. Normal mode, safe mode, nothing will boot. If I hit F8 and tell it not to reset instantly when it gets an error, the error it always gets before resetting is "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL"

Last time my old computer was caught in an endless reboot, someone here recommended using a Knoppix Linux live CD. I've tried to use it this time, to access my files and back them up before reformatting, but for some reason, it doesn't read my hard drive, and it also can't access the internet. I'm typing this from my sister's apartment.

So, does anyone know how to make the Knoppix thing read my hard drive, or how to stop that endless reboot loop?

[Tedski]

There's some info here about what it may be...
http://groups.msn.com/WindowsSupport/win...519550591612045 (http://groups.msn.com/WindowsSupport/winxpsupport.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=2942&LastModified=4675519550591612045)
Favourite would be virus related software at a guess. How to fix it is another matter, but you may be able to isolate what is causing it and see if there's a fix for it. Good luck.

[Bludd]

I remember this happening when the boot partition on the main OS drive got corrupted. Also, I used to get this problem when I had a faulty RAM stick, but it changed between the IRQL BSOD and a PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA one.

[thefly]

Bludd said:
I remember this happening when the boot partition on the main OS drive got corrupted.



I've been having this problem on my computer lately (running Windows XP). The computer would lock up while on, then after rebooting, it would start to load windows, then reboot everytime. I was able to get to a dos prompt through Windows Recovery (had to insert the Windows XP CD and boot from that) and use the command "fixboot c:" Don't know how my boot sector keeps on becoming corrupt. Haven't found a virus to date. I've even formatted my hard drive, and the problem still occurs. I'm supposing it is the hard-drive.

[Ruger]

I tried using the XP recovery cd. Unfortunately, it just automatically reformatted my hard drive. Maybe there was some key I was supposed to press quickly to stop it, I don't know.

So I've got a clean slate. Maybe some day I'll learn to actually do backups... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif

[NutWrench]

Ruger said:
I tried using the XP recovery cd. Unfortunately, it just automatically reformatted my hard drive. Maybe there was some key I was supposed to press quickly to stop it, I don't know.

So I've got a clean slate. Maybe some day I'll learn to actually do backups... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif



THIS (http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=software&Number=637898&Searchpage=1&Main=637456&Words=ultimate+boot+&topic=&Search=true#Post637898) will save your butt at least once.
Grab a copy! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif