Gateway machine won't boot after SP2 update...

Customer has a Gateway model 'Profile 4' machine, running WinXP-Home.
Immediately after upgrade SP2, the machine is now in a 're-boot loop'. It
will not bootup, either
in normal-mode nor in 'safe-mode', and thus the last phase of the SP2
upgrade cannot be completed. (I suspect it is 'crashing' early in the boot
attempt...the
last thing we see is the WinXP Home splash-screen for just a few seconds,
and
then it resets back thru the BIOS screens etc, in what I'm calling a 'reboot
loop'.)

Gateway support is suggesting that we use all the Gateway-supplied
'recovery CDs' and completely re-install WindowsXP. (Which sounds
to me like they mean that customer's data will then be gone as well as
all his installed applications, right?)

Isn't it possible to use a WinXP-Home installation CD, in some
recovery-mode option, and while running from that CD, cause the
system to just un-install the SP2 update, thus preserving
all the apps and data and leaving us back with an SP1-patched
system like existed just before the SP2 update attempt?

If so, please provide a link to a writeup to do that, instead of
us re-installing WinXP back to a bare-bones WinXP OS.

TIA...

Dave

Dave;
1. How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875355

2. Reboot tapping F8 each second.
Select "Last known good configuration" at the menu.

3. Otherwise perform a Repair Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm
If the Gateway provided CD will not perform a Repair Installation, you may
have to restore the computer since other CDs may not work with your Product
Key.

4. When you are ready for SP-2, follow the Service Pack Installation
Checklist:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol
http://www.dts-l.org


"David Cook" <> wrote in message
news:E82dnehUtIMTU83fRVn-...
> Customer has a Gateway model 'Profile 4' machine, running WinXP-Home.
> Immediately after upgrade SP2, the machine is now in a 're-boot loop'. It
> will not bootup, either
> in normal-mode nor in 'safe-mode', and thus the last phase of the SP2
> upgrade cannot be completed. (I suspect it is 'crashing' early in the
> boot attempt...the
> last thing we see is the WinXP Home splash-screen for just a few seconds,
> and
> then it resets back thru the BIOS screens etc, in what I'm calling a
> 'reboot loop'.)
>
> Gateway support is suggesting that we use all the Gateway-supplied
> 'recovery CDs' and completely re-install WindowsXP. (Which sounds
> to me like they mean that customer's data will then be gone as well as
> all his installed applications, right?)
>
> Isn't it possible to use a WinXP-Home installation CD, in some
> recovery-mode option, and while running from that CD, cause the
> system to just un-install the SP2 update, thus preserving
> all the apps and data and leaving us back with an SP1-patched
> system like existed just before the SP2 update attempt?
>
> If so, please provide a link to a writeup to do that, instead of
> us re-installing WinXP back to a bare-bones WinXP OS.
>
> TIA...
>
> Dave

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=xp+reboot+loop

"David Cook" <> wrote in message
news:E82dnehUtIMTU83fRVn-...
> Customer has a Gateway model 'Profile 4' machine, running WinXP-Home.
> Immediately after upgrade SP2, the machine is now in a 're-boot loop'. It
> will not bootup, either
> in normal-mode nor in 'safe-mode', and thus the last phase of the SP2
> upgrade cannot be completed. (I suspect it is 'crashing' early in the
boot
> attempt...the
> last thing we see is the WinXP Home splash-screen for just a few seconds,
> and
> then it resets back thru the BIOS screens etc, in what I'm calling a
'reboot
> loop'.)

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=xp+reboot+loop