Stop the Endless Windows XP SP3 Reboots
Experiencing endless reboots since you installed Windows Service Pack or SP3? To break the chain, you may first need to halt the automatic restarts. Press the F8 key when you see the black Windows XP screen and then select “Disable automatic restart on system failure”
Now, try to get into Safe Mode by pressing F8 at the next reboot. You may need to press F8 repeatedly. Once in Safe Mode, follow the steps Microsoft lists in this support document to disable the intelppm.sys driver if you suspect that’s the problem.
If that doesn’t work, Johansson suggests trying the more advanced Recovery Console, which can be run from the XP install CD if it hasn’t previously been added to the PC. For detailed directions on installing and using the Recovery Console, check out this Microsoft support document . Again, disable the intelppm.sys driver.
If your PC is not an HP or Compaq with an AMD processor, your best bet — in lieu of anything official from Microsoft — is to read through Johansson’s post for possible solutions.
Isn’t there an easier way? We’re not sure, but you can try to offload the heavy lifting to Microsoft by using the free tech support it’s offering for any install or upgrade problems related to XP SP3.
Although Microsoft normally refers users who obtained XP as part of a new PC to the computer manufacturer or reseller when problems pop up, it will provide free-of-charge XP SP3 install support until April 14, 2009. You can contact Microsoft by phone, e-mail or online chat. (E-mail and chat are available only in the U.S. and Canada.)
