After you install a new hardware device or new software, Windows XP may continuously restart, or you may receive an error message on a blue screen
Step 1: Start Windows XP in safe mode
Step 2: Use the Rollback Driver feature
Step 3: Determine whether a third-party program is causing the issue
Step 4: Determine the conflicting program or the conflicting utility
Step 5: Determine whether a third-party service is causing the issue
Step 6: Determine the conflicting service
The computer continuously restarts.
You receive an error message on a blue screen.
Step 1: Disconnect any new hardwareIf you recently installed a new hardware device, disconnect the device, and then try to start Windows XP again. If you can start Windows XP after you disconnect the device, contact the device manufacturer to obtain updated drivers for the device or to learn about any other known issues.Step 2: Start the computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature
a. Start the computer.
b. When you see the Please select the operating system to start message, press the F8 key.
c. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER.
d. If you are running other operating systems on the computer, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER. Notes
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By using the Last Known Good Configuration feature, you can recover from configuration problems such as newly installed drivers that may be incorrect for the computer's hardware. This feature does not correct problems that are caused by missing drivers, by missing files, by corrupted drivers, or by corrupted files.
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The Last Known Good Configuration feature uses information that is saved from the last time that you shut down the computer. This information is used to restore registry settings and drivers. Therefore, you can use this feature only if you can start the computer successfully before you restore the computer by using the last known good configuration.
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After you start the computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature, changes that were made since the last successful startup are lost.Step 3: Use the System Restore featureMethod 1: If Windows XP does not start
a.
Restart the computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start the computer in safe mode by using a command prompt. Log on to the computer by using an administrator account or by using an account that has administrator credentials.
c. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
d. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore the computer to an earlier state.
Method 2: If Windows XP starts
a. Log on to Windows by using an administrator account.
b. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
c. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time if this option is not already selected. Then, click Next.
d. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. You may receive a message that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
e. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then System Restore restarts the computer.
f. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
g. Click OK.
