problem at boot

Ok my sister has an alienware area51-7500 and has started having problems with booting the thing up. the windows screen comes up and then the computer shuts itself down and boots again, this time asking to start windows in safe mode, normally or at the last good configuration. when she uses the start normally it shuts down and restarts again, like the first time. She doesn't seem to have the problem when she starts it with the last good configuration. However that means what she had previously done caused it to happen. The only things she did before it began was install her HP all-in-one printer scanner copier and update her "Panda internet security" and then restarted, that is when the problem occurred.
I've already once had to install the microsoft windows XP Media edition again(including partition deleting at the advisement of the Alienware tech guy), and installing the drivers again so I don't want to put the computer at risk by trial and error testing of these things. Please help explain what is going on with the computer?

I would really appreciate it for any help in how to diagnose and fix the issue.
Thanks in advance!

 

Surely this is a software issue?
If I understand you correctly you can get to full Windows by choosing
'last known good...'
If this is the case
Firstly try system restore to before the printer & panda installs.
start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore.

Then reinstall the printer and panda and test ONE AT A TIME

It is possible that either the panda update (which you will see) or a Windows automatic update (which you won't see) did not finish before a restart.

When you have panda working properly do a full system scan.

Finally set a new system restore point

Studio T

 

Hi there, Two programs that I have had problems with HP all in one SOFTWARE, AND PANDA -Both can be pigs!Especially one of HP'S updates- I found it better to keep their older driver.
Uninstall the HPSofware.Uninstall Panda.
Before installing the HP software, make sure that all running programs are exited, or closed- especially antyvirus programs. When installing HP software, have cables ready, but not connected. Connect them when iit tells you, and then switch the printer on, then ! Wait for windows to tell you installation is complete. Shut down, and restart !
Then reinstall Panda.! Zone alarm (another antyvirus program also had a bug, in a previous update (but appears o.k now))
Panda gave me real headaches with partition copying,, too,- so a clean install and restart should pay dividends..

 

Thanks for identifying the things that were done just before the problem appeared. Either of the things you mentioned could be responsible.

You might try removing the HP printer drivers you installed. If that cures the problem, there's your answer. If that's the case, you could try the theory that you got a bad install the first time, and try again. Be sure to stop all running programs, including antivirus software when you do. Any program running in the background can (under some circumstances) foul up a software install. AV software is more likely to do that than most because of its very nature -- it monitors everything that goes on in a system, and that monitoring process can interrupt an installer.

If that doesn't work, check with HP for known problems with that printer driver and look for updated drivers.

The other possibility is a bad antivirus update. It happens. My AV software provides an automatic rollback feature as protection against a bad update -- it has kicked in twice (that I recall) in the two years I've been using Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security. Both times it worked, and the next update did not cause a problem.

Look for a similar feature in Panda. And do a manual update -- the next update will probably fix the problem. If it doesn't, check with Panda for known issues and fixes.

In short, you may not be able to avoid some trial and error testing to be sure that you've fixed the problem. Suggestion: set restore points at every step of the way. Sure, you'll use a chunk of hard drive space for those restore points, but backing up to a previous restore point involves a lot less work than a complete re-install.

And an unkind thought about remote tech support: the lazier ones can be very quick to recommend a re-install. It saves them the necessity of guessing about possible interactions between the various software suites you have installed on your system that they don't know very much about because it's not their employer's product. Sometimes that re-install isn't really necessary. (That's not to say that you got bad advice from Alienware -- it's just that good tech support is hard to find. If you're getting good support from them, stay with them.)

And I see two posts appeared while I was writing the above. My apologies for not having bothered to edit the above on account of the other posts.

 

I come to you at a loss. I would have loved to tried those techniques however while I was hammering out the info to you guys My sister tried the stuff again and now it wont bring up windows even when i use the Last known good configuration.

I am tired and annoyed, I have no idea why I couldn't get an answer on whether or not panda was good when I asked about it here at major geeks a few days ago. I don't know diddley about computers and yet I am the one sent to find answers. I can't conceive of a reason for this to happen. My sister had allowed all updates for windows to complete, and installed the printer perfectly, then let the panda software update. The computer went through one start up fine and dandy, it came up and was great. My sister shut it down and when she started it back up the thing went back to having the problem (but now not working even when i click the last known good configuration)

Also If i get to a place where the stuff is working, How do you set up a new restore point?

 

If you can't even start windows now you have two choices

A full clean install
(I believe you have already been through this and understand it)

A repair install
You will need a MICROSOFT Windows XP disk NOT a manufacturers rescue or restore disk. However the good news is any XP of the same type will do so you can borrow one if you don't have one.
A repair install will not affect your data or settings but some programs, paticularly antivirus will be broken and need reinstallation afterwards.

Start the pc and go to the bios (setup) by pressing del or F2 or whatever immediately.
Make sure that the boot sequence is 'CD then floppy then HDD'.
Save and exit bios.
While the pc is running insert the XP CD.
Reboot
Watch and at the the prompt '? press any key to boot from CD'
Press any key.
XP setup runs.
Press enter to 'setup windows now' ; DO NOT press R
Press F8 to accept licence
The next screen shows XP installations on your hard drive
Highlight yours and press R
The repair install proceeds for about 45 minutes.
If XP asks for the key read in the one off the side of the pc not the one off the disk. (some e.g. Dells don't ask I've just done 2 today for after lightening damage the motherboards.)
You will have to reinstall SP1 and or SP2 if your disk is old
Some programs will work some will need reinstalling.

 

If you manage to get back into windows, to set a restore point , go to start, accessaries, system tools, system restore. When system restore comes up you can click to set a restore point in that window. Give the restore point a name,-like after HP, OR, Panda, or the last program you installed.
It is a good idea to do this after every program you install, until you have completed your installation, then you can go back if a program plays up.
System Restore gives it a date, and time.

 

Thanks guys, We were able to fix the problem by setting up a new restore point and using a new usb connection cable for the printer. apparently the problem with the printer setup was the connection to the USB port. the problem at boot was happening because the setup failed midway.

well thanks for the advice it set me on the right path.

Thanks again!