Wont boot after update to sp2

I'm fixing my sister's Dell Her system acquired the "worm. Any way, she had all the original discs. So, I reloaded XP Home with no problem. Took some updates and was running fine. Took the SP2 update and this thing is now in a continuous loop - Dell logo, XP Home start up logo, very quick blue screen error flash, then reboots on it's own again repeating the previous routine. I'm not a tech but I have built my own system and done several platform installs for family members.

Just trying not to ruin anything here. Any help would be appreciated. I have bad news for you based on my personal experience. SP2 has uncorrected security flaws. If you can not boot in safe mode or use the restore to an earlier time, you will need to use your restore to original state CD. Before adding anything, then update to SP2 and SP3. Got some info from another thread.

They suggested that SP2 be downloaded and burned to a cd. Then after rebooting, install SP2 from the disc. I'll let you know my results. Why hasn't anyone from Dell commented or given a fix for this problem? The question has been asked in a variety of ways on different threads.

Although you have a Dell machine, the problem is really a Microsoft Windows problem. You need to udate beyond SP2 to SP3. Download the update but install it while in Safe mode to avoid interference with other programs.

You may want to contact Microsoft for more help. Please review this page. I am glad you finally followed our advice. Now the Surface won't boot past the Surface Screen. I also can't boot to recovery. I have tried the hold power for 30 seconds then restart. I have tried hold power and volume up button.

I would like to create a USB recovery drive and try that. I downloaded the recovery image zip file from Microsoft, but all the instructions on how to create the drive involve the Surface actually working.

Chris, you use a different computer than your SP2 to create the recovery drive. Then you use it on your Surface. If you are in the US, you can go to a physical retail Microsoft Store and they will help you with this. Was this reply helpful? Yes No. Sorry this didn't help. Technically speaking, the problem revolves around the machine's BIOS not installing a production level microcode update. The microcode version is identified by this utility as CPU Revision , which should equal at least 8.

If the Intel utility shows that you have the wrong microcode version, the primary solution to the problem is to update the system BIOS for your motherboard before you install SP2. Here are some motherboard manufacturer links:. BIOS updates can be dangerous —please follow the manufacturer's instructions very closely to avoid a major catastrophe. If you have already installed XP SP2 and have a PC that will not boot because of this microcode version problem, there are two workarounds you can try to get to a bootable state.

On some motherboards, this will allow the computer to boot. After completing these steps, you should be able to re-install SP2 without running into this particular problem again. If disabling L1 and L2 cache does not work, you can use a second workaround suggested by a representative at Intel: Boot the problem computer with an alternative OS or to the safe mode command line if possible.

Assuming you can get to the Windows directory on the boot partition, navigate to this file and change its name so that it does not load the next time the machine is booted:.