Windows 2000 constantly reboots

[Wiz]

I was out browsing the web when my antivirus started
going nuts with virus messages.

I got off the web, ran a full virus scan - came up
clean - ran Adaware and Spybot and had them remove
everything they found.

I rebooted the computer and now the OS just reboots
after the Windows 2K splash screen.

I've tried safe mode, every possible way of restoring
the OS from the CD save reloading a new version of the
OS over the old one.

I've tried the recovery console running fixboot and
fixmbr.

All have failed...

Does Win 2K default to automatically rebooting on error
like Win XP does? If so, can I shut that off from the
recovery console?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Gerry Hickman]

Does Win 2K default to automatically rebooting on error
like Win XP does?

Yes, but no one in their right mind would run Win2k without changing
this absurd default setting. XP can not be considered a "real" operating
system, so no point even going there. Maybe when Longhorn arrives we'll
see a return to Enterprise grade computing from Microsoft?

If so, can I shut that off from the
recovery console?

Good question. Some people have reported "constant reboots" following
application of MS04-011. My guess is that in your case, you let your AV
programs break something and it's causing a bug-check. You could try
disabling lots of services using recovery console and see if you can at
least boot in safe mode - you could then fix what ever is broken.

Another option is just to reformat the C drive and start again.

Another option is to put a parallel Win2k install on the unpartitioned
space you reserved for dealing with this type of problem when you first
built the PC (?), and use this parallel install to fix the old version.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input Gary!

I've tried logging on in safe mode with no luck...

I just tried reinstalling a copy of Win 2K but
instead of the "new" copy I instlled the "repair"
copy.

But again, right after the splash screen, a STOP
error pops up and the system reboots!

I just installed a new drive and had a fresh install
of Win 2K (don't ask why I didn't turn the reboot option
off! Just wasn't thinking! Why does Microsoft default
to this option????? Dumbest thing they could ever do!!)

Anyway, I've already blown away my old drive and had
already transfered my data over to my new drive which
is why I'm trying to save this load...

I may have to setup the old drive, slave the new drive,
copy info, then redo the new drive and copy the info
back over again...

What a pain!

There has got to be a way to turn the automatic reboot
function off from the recovery console!

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Adam Leinss]

There has got to be a way to turn the automatic reboot
function off from the recovery console!

It appears the setting is in the registry @ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl. I'm assuming you already
tried Last Known Good Configuration. The only way I know of editing
the registry outside of Windows is to use ERD Commander and that
program is not cheap. I think you can request a trial (time limited)
copy of it though.

Adam

 

[Gerry Hickman]

Thanks for the input Gary!

I've tried logging on in safe mode with no luck...

Damn. Did you try disabling lots of services in recovery console? This
has saved me hours in the past, allowing me to get back into NT/2000 and
fix the problem, then enable them again.

But again, right after the splash screen, a STOP
error pops up and the system reboots!
Damn!

I just installed a new drive and had a fresh install
of Win 2K (don't ask why I didn't turn the reboot option
off! Just wasn't thinking! Why does Microsoft default
to this option????? Dumbest thing they could ever do!!)

Hehehe, as I said

What a pain!
Yup.

There has got to be a way to turn the automatic reboot
function off from the recovery console!

Looks like Adam has the answer, but how do you edit the reg outside of
Windows? There's something called regini in the resource kit, but maybe
it only works after you're logged in.