I have ben handed a laptop by a friend who's young sister was playing about with and now Windows won't load. In Normal mode and Safe Mode with Networking Windows brings up the XP Splash screen but reboots after a few seconds. I can log onto Windows in safe mode or safe mode with command prompt but when I try to run sfc /scannow I get error 0x000006ba [The RPC server is unavailable.]. After using some fixes from MS site and google searchs including the root certificate fix I still get this error. I have disable everything in msconfig and run virus scans just incase but I'm sure this has something to do with networking although I am not sure what. The RPC service and RPC locator are both set to automatic. Tried a winsock fix and tcp/ip reset just incase but to no avail. Format or repair installation is a last option I would prefer not to try so any suggestions/ideas? Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

IF you can boot into Safe Mode WITHOUT networking, I would remove the Network Interface from Device Manager. Then try to reboot normally and have the driver re-installed, either by XP's auto-detection or you do it manually. WILL POST FOR FOOD.

Got another problem now, while in safe mode I decided to do windows error-checking on c drive and reboot, just a habit. Now it won't load into safe mode either 1st boot option is HDD and I have to go into BIOS to change boot sequence to CD-ROM so I can boot XP CD and repair install. Unfortunately BIOS is password protected and my friend, as always seems to happen, does not know the password, looks like it will be a CMOS reset Is unusual though for it not to boot into safe mode after setting Windows to error check, after safe mode was previously working? Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.