Windows XP Repair stuck in loop

[krs360]

Long time reader, first time poster!

My friend has a Dell Inspiron, WinXP SP2, which had a bizarre problem with IE7 not working. I uninstalled it, but Windows would not boot.

I then booted from my WinXP Home SP3 CD, and repaired the install.

The machine is now stuck in a loop of booting, saying setup is restarting system, getting passed the Windows logo and showing a cursor, then BSOD and restart.

Loading the recovery console, I have run chkdsk (overnight - took hours!), repaired all errors - same problem.

Any ideas how I can correct it?

Could it have been because I used an SP3 CD to repair an SP2 install?

[need Tos]

See this thread with a similar kind of problem : Stuck in update loop
Stuck in reboot loop after windows update
Windows Update stuck in an infinite loop...
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-update/969688.htm

Hope this help you a little

[krs360]

Thanks for those mate.

I have ended up using Knoppix to copy the hard drive onto a external one, and currently re-installing Windows.... f*ck it, some times it's just easier than messing about! It had loads of random problems, not just IE - windows installer wouldn't work (therefore couldn't install firefox), neither would windows update.