When Windows tries to start, it goes to the screen with the options of safe mode, start normally, etc. No matter which option I select, it comes right back to this screen.1 person needs an answerI do too

Alright - this is going to sound real stupid. But it is an easy try-to-find-out step. It may or may not solve this but it will eliminate one distinct possibility. On one of my systems, a year or so ago, I had the same and was just floored when I miraculously stumbled into......a "stuck" F8 key on my keyboard! F8 is what one presses at boot time to invoke the Advanced Boot Options menu. Took me a while to figure it out. Now, if that key doesn't look or feel stuck in the down (depressed) position, I'd grab another keyboard and see if that one works. The switch underneath the keytop may itself be jammed or simply broken and shut closed. See.... If F8 is stuck in the depressed position, Windows is seeing it and being signalled at boot time, calling in the Advanced Boot Options menu - ie. what you're seeing on the screen.It's worth a shot, right?H

If it's not your F8 key that is stuck, as another poster suggested, you can try rebuilding boot.ini from the RecoveryConsole.bootcfg /rebuildDescription of the Windows XP Recovery Console: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

It depends on what you mean by etc. Since my crystal ball took the day off (stupid ball), we will have to try to guess what you mean.What is your system make and model?What is your XP Version and Service Pack?Describe your current antivirus and anti malware situation: McAfee, Norton, Spybot, AVG, Avira!, MSE, Defender, ZoneAlarm, PC Tools, Comodo, etc.Does the afflicted system have a working CD/DVD drive?Do you have a genuine bootable XP installation CD (this is not the same as any Recovery CDs that came with your system)?Fill in the blank: My system was working fine until _________________________________________. If there is a problem booting, XP is configured to automatically try to boot again and you can get stuck in a loop of just being unable to get past the boot options screen.Sometimes when XP crashes and tries to start again, it will give you a menu of boot options and none of them will seem to be the right ones to get your system going again. The options resemble the XP Advanced Boot Options menu, but the one option you need (Disable automatic restart on system failure) is not offered because XP has gone too far along in the boot process.If that is the case, you must invoke the Advanced Boot Options menu yourself until you see the option:Disable automatic restart on system failureWhen you do get to the correct XP Advanced Options Boot menu you want to see has options on it like these: Safe ModeSafe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Command PromptEnable Boot LoggingEnable VGA modeLast Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)Debugging ModeDisable automatic restart on system failureStart Windows NormallyRebootReturn to OS Choices Menu What you need to choose from that menu is the option:Disable automatic restart on system failureThen if XP fails to boot normally, you will see an error screen with information and clues regarding the problem and then you can decide what to do next.If you do not see the Disable automatic restart on system failure option, you need to reset your system and start tapping the F8 key on the keyboard until you do see theDisable automatic restart on system failure option.If you miss the F8 window of opportunity, you need to try again and start tapping the F8 key with more urgency (sooner and more frequently) until you do seeDisable automatic restart on system failure, then choose it.Respond to the queries and report back the results from the Disable automatic restart on system failure screen and you can decide what to do next. Don't guess what the problem might be - figure it out and fix it. I need YOUR votes and points for helpful replies and Propose as Answers. I am saving up for a pony!