How to Stop Your Computer From Continous Rebooting After Installing Windows XP SP3

Windows XP Service Pack III

If you installed Service Pack 3 of Windows XP, your computer may continue to boot. Rather than pull your hair out of frustration, you can eliminate the continuous booting by following a few steps.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP Operating System CD

Instructions

1. Turn off your computer by depressing the power button for 10 seconds. Then power on your computer. Enter the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key. Depending on your computer model, it may be the "Del" key, "F1," "F2," "F11" or the "F12" key.

2. Navigate to the Advanced BIOS features dialog and select “First Boot Device.” If your hard drive is listed as the first boot device, change the entry to “CD ROM.” The next time that you boot, your computer will access the CD drive.

3. Insert your Windows XP disc into the CD drive. Save your settings and boot from the disc by pressing the “F10” key. Press the "Y" key and then "Enter."

4. Use the appropriate keys to scroll to the Boot option, then select the first boot device listed. Change it to "CD ROM."

5. When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD. The Welcome to Setup screen eventually appears.

6. When prompted with the message "Repair Windows XP Now using Recovery Console, press R," press "Enter."

7. Read the Windows End-User Licensing Agreement and press the “F8” key. Setup will then search for previous versions of Microsoft Windows.

8. When prompted to press the "R" key to repair Windows, press the “R” key. Setup will repair your installation. During the repair, if you see words at the bottom like "Deleting Files" don't be alarmed. The files being deleted are system files that were corrupted upon installation of SP3. Setup is simply replacing them with the same files from your Windows CD. After Setup completes the repair, your computer will reboot.

9. Leave the CD in the tray while your computer reboots. Your computer will get cranky with you and demand it back if you remove it. You'll need it for the next part of the repair process.

10. After the Regional & Language Options screen appears, enter the desired languages or click “Next” to keep the default settings.

11. After the Date & Time Properties screen appears, set the appropriate time zone. Then click "Next."

12. If you are prompted for network settings, just keep everything at its default setting and click ”Next.” Setup will then complete the repair. Make a cup of coffee at this point because it might take a while.

13. After the repair, Windows will reboot and you will notice the splash screen. Click the green "Next" button to continue.

14. When the "Register With Microsoft?" screen appears, enter the requested information.

15. When prompted who will use the computer, click the “Skip” button since this is a repair.

16. If you’re prompted to signup for an ISP Signup, skip the step as you already have access to the Internet.

References

• Microsoft Support: Error Message After You Upgrade a Computer That Uses a Processor Other Than an Intel Processor to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or to Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Stop: 0x0000007e"