Hi folks, Would really, really appreciate anyone's help with this, since I don't want to lose all my files by reinstalling everything. I have an XP SP2 problem, but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with an out of date BIOS, as I've seen posted elsewhere. To wit, I recently updated my old Tiny PC (bought in 2001, came with ME installed) with SP2, and restarted for the changes to take effect. The PC hasn't started properly since. It gets as far as the XP screen with the Windows logo then cuts out, beeps and starts booting again from scratch. If I leave it, it loops this behaviour over and over indefinitely. I've tried hitting F8 and then booting in safe mode: it gets no further. I can't boot in any of the modes offered, including 'last known good configuration'. I've checked that my BIOS is up to date, and it's on CPU Revision 8 already. (But I read elsewhere that this only really applies to modern 'Prescott' processors.) Any ideas at all? All help greatly appreciated. Steve

http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/141859.html The same procedure for repairing windows xp will work for you. Added any new hardware lately? just curious. www.monkonline.tk

"To wit, I recently updated my old Tiny PC (bought in 2001, came with ME installed) with SP2, and restarted for the changes to take effect. The PC hasn't started properly" Since you have "updated" (Upgraded) the system from WinME to XP,and not a Fresh Install after reformat, I am wondering whether this has caused severe Registry corruption with the left overs of WinME drivers. If you could find out the original hardware of your PC (especially Video/Sound/NIC)and check whether they are in WinXP HCL and whether they have updated WinXP drivers, you will be in the right direction in solving this boot problem. M

Sorry, my fault for not being clear. The PC came with ME installed and I upgraded to XP last year. The PC has been offline for about a year and I recently brought it back online and downloaded all the updates for XP, which included SP2. It was working happily downloading all the updates, but when I came to restart for the changes to take effect, it wouldn't have any of it. Since then it's been getting as far as the XP screen with the Windows logo and resetting. But XP was working fine until SP2. Do you think it could still have to do with drivers? To find out the original hardware, do I just take the casing off and read it off the physical components?

Thanks for that computingMonk. No new hardware added. The PC was running happily with XP but was long overdue an update. All I did was go online and download everything Auto Update advised, which included SP2. Do you think I need to buy a new motherboard to get at my files?

If you could post the name of your Computer Exactly as displayed on its case I will be happy to search for its Manufacturer Installed Hardware Specification You may also look in the Device Manager ( Right- click My Computer>Harware>Device Manager and click the + of each alphabetically listed Hardware component and write down the names to look for correct drivers. If you need help, please post that information I don't think you need to buy a new MoBO now to solve the current symptoms. M

Thanks maadhurimn. On the back of the case it says 'Tiny. Model: 810L'. There's nothing else apart from the voltage and serial number. Tiny is a British company that went bankrupt a couple of months ago. My current plan is to buy a hard drive caddy and connect the hard drive externally to another computer, get everything I want from it, then wipe it and reinstall XP. Does this sound wise? Steve