Vista Basic justs reboots?

Hi all,

I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my password.
I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog" the
cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet or a
corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a running
process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe mode
with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
virus scans. Any other suggestions?

thanks,
charles....

Hi Charles--

There are commands to do those things but the particular command you want
when you boot to command with safe mode is the one to run system restore.
That'd be this:

Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Here's what I'd do in this order:

***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***

How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by the
Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
***can boot to Vista):

http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for more
than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they named
it not understanding its full functionality):

Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm

It will automatically take you to this on your screen:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png

That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.

The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
like this:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif

Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore, (one
from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
others won't.


You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
same way as in XP:

***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx


***Using the F8 Environment***

***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:

The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
to both).

Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx

System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the same
link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from other
locations.

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449

Good luck,

CH



"***** charles" <> wrote in message
news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my password.
> I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> the
> cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet or
> a
> corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a running
> process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe mode
> with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> virus scans. Any other suggestions?
>
> thanks,
> charles....
>
>
>

Have you checked the Event Viewer for clues as to why the system reboots?
How about a System Restore to a point before the problem started?

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"***** charles" <> wrote in message
news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my password.
> I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> the
> cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet or
> a
> corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a running
> process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe mode
> with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> virus scans. Any other suggestions?
>
> thanks,
> charles....
>
>
>

Since that is the point where generally your video driver takes over from
the VGA driver, that would be my first check. Can you also boot into low
resolution mode?


"***** charles" <> wrote in message
news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my password.
> I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> the
> cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet or
> a
> corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a running
> process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe mode
> with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> virus scans. Any other suggestions?
>
> thanks,
> charles....
>
>
>

"Chad Harris" <vistaneedsmuchowork.net> wrote in message
news:%...
> Hi Charles--
>
> There are commands to do those things but the particular command you want
> when you boot to command with safe mode is the one to run system restore.
> That'd be this:
>
> Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

No restore points set.

> Here's what I'd do in this order:
>
> ***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***

The laptop is a new one from HP. They want you to make your own
recovery cd/dvd's which I didn't do. So I guess I am stuck.

thanks,
charles....

> How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by
the
> Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
> ***can boot to Vista):
>
>
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
> components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for
more
> than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they
named
> it not understanding its full functionality):
>
> Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
>
>
http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>
> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
> also sometimes effective):
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>
> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
>
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
>
>
http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
>
> That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
> thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
> and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
>
> The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
> like this:
>
>
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
>
> Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
> let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
> doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
> don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
> Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
> have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore,
(one
> from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
> others won't.
>
>
> You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
> same way as in XP:
>
> ***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>
>
> ***Using the F8 Environment***
>
> ***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
> by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware
screen
> with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
>
> The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode
Boot
> options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
> updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that
apply
> to both).
>
> Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is
a
> generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
>
> You could also:
>
> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in
order.
> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
> Configuration
>
>
> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you
a
> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
> Prompt.
>
> These methods are outlined in
>
> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>
> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>
> System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the
same
> link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
> location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from
other
> locations.
>
> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
>
> "***** charles" <> wrote in message
> news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my
password.
> > I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> > the
> > cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet
or
> > a
> > corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> > cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> > problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> > command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a
running
> > process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe
mode
> > with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> > virus scans. Any other suggestions?
> >
> > thanks,
> > charles....
> >
> >
> >
>

"Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Have you checked the Event Viewer for clues as to why the system reboots?
> How about a System Restore to a point before the problem started?

The even viewer doesn't give a clue.
There were no restore points set. The default is OFF, I have found.

thanks,
charles.....

> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "***** charles" <> wrote in message
> news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my
password.
> > I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> > the
> > cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet
or
> > a
> > corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> > cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> > problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> > command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a
running
> > process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe
mode
> > with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> > virus scans. Any other suggestions?
> >
> > thanks,
> > charles....
> >
> >
> >
>

"John Barnes" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Since that is the point where generally your video driver takes over from
> the VGA driver, that would be my first check. Can you also boot into low
> resolution mode?

When I try vga mode I get "an unauthorized change was made to windows"
screen, and the only thing I can do it reboot. The license is legal and
straight
from HP, it is an HP laptop. I guess my only recourse is to copy my emails
off and rebuild the computer from a recovery routine that I hope works. If
that doesn't work I will probably put Linux on it since I did not make the
restore cd's from the hard drive. The cheapskates don't even give you
recovery cd's any more. You have to make your own which I didn't do.
The only choice that works is to boot to safe mode with command prompt.
I think it was an invasion from the Internet since I have done some research
it seems that a lot of people are having similar problems. When I go into
safe mode with the gui I get a continually restarting "windows explorer is
not working and will be restarted" scenario.

later,
charles.....

> "***** charles" <> wrote in message
> news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my
password.
> > I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to "hog"
> > the
> > cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet
or
> > a
> > corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
> > cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
> > problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
> > command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a
running
> > process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe
mode
> > with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those free
> > virus scans. Any other suggestions?
> >
> > thanks,
> > charles....
> >
> >
> >
>

"***** charles" <> wrote in message
news:9nVCi.7880$ t...
> "Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Have you checked the Event Viewer for clues as to why the system reboots?
>> How about a System Restore to a point before the problem started?
>
> The even viewer doesn't give a clue.
> There were no restore points set. The default is OFF, I have found.
>

That is odd. In my Vista Ultimate installations, the default for System
Restore is on - which has saved my butt on more than one occasion.

Methinks that HP may want you to use your restore disks so that they can
re-install any of their malware and adware that you may have removed.

The lesson is to never buy a laptop without a full Windows disk.
Unfortunately, which may make this impossible for some, it is often only the
higher end laptops that have this option. And the malware/restore disk
issue is the reason I never buy a ready-made desktop. I always build my own
even though it is often more expensive. That way I always have a Windows
disk and start with no malware on my PC.

Dale


Dale

"Dale" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> "***** charles" <> wrote in message
> news:9nVCi.7880$ t...
> > "Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> >> Have you checked the Event Viewer for clues as to why the system
reboots?
> >> How about a System Restore to a point before the problem started?
> >
> > The even viewer doesn't give a clue.
> > There were no restore points set. The default is OFF, I have found.
> >
>
> That is odd. In my Vista Ultimate installations, the default for System
> Restore is on - which has saved my butt on more than one occasion.
>
> Methinks that HP may want you to use your restore disks so that they can
> re-install any of their malware and adware that you may have removed.
>
> The lesson is to never buy a laptop without a full Windows disk.
> Unfortunately, which may make this impossible for some, it is often only
the
> higher end laptops that have this option. And the malware/restore disk
> issue is the reason I never buy a ready-made desktop. I always build my
own
> even though it is often more expensive. That way I always have a Windows
> disk and start with no malware on my PC.
>
> Dale

I am still in research mode as to the email backup problem. Once I can
safely backup/restore my emails I will try the hd based restore process
that hp says should work. We'll see.

If the choice is Vista for $ or Linux for free, I am going with free.

later,
charles....

You can buy a restore disk from HP for about $10

"***** charles" <> wrote in message
news:RxVCi.7883$ t...
> "John Barnes" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Since that is the point where generally your video driver takes over from
>> the VGA driver, that would be my first check. Can you also boot into low
>> resolution mode?
>
> When I try vga mode I get "an unauthorized change was made to windows"
> screen, and the only thing I can do it reboot. The license is legal and
> straight
> from HP, it is an HP laptop. I guess my only recourse is to copy my
> emails
> off and rebuild the computer from a recovery routine that I hope works.
> If
> that doesn't work I will probably put Linux on it since I did not make the
> restore cd's from the hard drive. The cheapskates don't even give you
> recovery cd's any more. You have to make your own which I didn't do.
> The only choice that works is to boot to safe mode with command prompt.
> I think it was an invasion from the Internet since I have done some
> research
> it seems that a lot of people are having similar problems. When I go into
> safe mode with the gui I get a continually restarting "windows explorer is
> not working and will be restarted" scenario.
>
> later,
> charles.....
>
>> "***** charles" <> wrote in message
>> news:dFzCi.7793$ t...
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > I have a Vista Basic machine that just reboots after I put in my
> password.
>> > I have been able to go into safe mode but several programs seem to
>> > "hog"
>> > the
>> > cpu time. I am not sure if my problem is an invasion from the Internet
> or
>> > a
>> > corrupted driver or what. I can boot up into command prompt safe mode
>> > cleanly but at that point I don't know what to do to determine what the
>> > problem is. Is there a command to get task manager to run? Is there a
>> > command like kill from the unix world that will absolutely stop a
> running
>> > process or service? I am hoping that I can get it to boot into safe
> mode
>> > with networking so I can get it on the Internet and do one of those
>> > free
>> > virus scans. Any other suggestions?
>> >
>> > thanks,
>> > charles....
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>