Restarting Loop on Vista

Hope someone can help out an issue I woke up to today. I normally leave my desktop running and found my computer on the option that allows me to log on normally, safe mode, or other options. I choose normal and the computer simply restarted, showed the motherboard splash screen and went back to the option screen for normal, safe mode etc.

I have since tried every option including safe, safe with networking, safe with comand prompt, last known good config, and normal all with the same result.

I have a recovery disk so I restarted from CD Rom and Vista simply asks for the ser. # and wants to full reinstal. The computer does recognize the drive as it asked me to choose the drive to install. I have pulled the memory (2-1GB sticks) and reinserted, unplugged everything but mouse and keyboard - still same issue.

I am not sure how I can get to a system file check or recovery mode.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

I bet you got a virus overnight. You probalby were connected to the net.

In any event, here are some ideas. They may not apply to you if you cannot get to safe mode, etc. But look it over, only one idea has to work.

You may try going back to factory specs.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html

http://www.techsupportforum.com/har...port/162525-laptop-recovery-instructions.html

Hi Tbone 8989

Try this. From Safe Mode choose option to Repair. Choose System Restore and select a restore point from before you started to get the restart loop. I had similar yesterday and it worked for me.

Like Richc46 said, I bet you caught a virus overnight. You need to run adecent firewall and antivirus to keep your computer safe. Suprisingly, the best protection IS free. I would recommend Avast Antivirus if you have a good computer with lots of resources, and an advanced computer user, and I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials if you have a slower computer, and have less experience at computers. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials over Avast, I use it and it's better than Avast.

For a firewall I recommend PC tools Firewall Plus. I use it instead of Windows Firewall because it is reliable, doesn't slow down your computer. The installer is a bit flakey, it likes to lock up for about 30 seconds to a minute, and I don't know why, but just let it sit if it does this. DO NOT install Spyware Doctor, this utility is not free...

Links:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/