Removing SpyBot Rendered computer un-startable

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Yes, after removing SpyBot which I wasn’t completely happy with, my computer will not restart. It stops and goes to restart repeatedly. I feel that removing the program has taken out the starting position. I’ve tried F8, safe mode and other options, but I can’t get passed or into them. Any feedback be good. Thanks
Sauble
sauble@excite.com

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Have you tried reinstalling Spybot? Have you tried a System Restore to a point prior to uninstalling Spybot? What about Spybot weren’t you “completely happy with”? How did you remove Spybot?

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Thanks for the prompt reply. No I can get past the XP front page to my desktop otherwise I’d have no problems. The computer keeps restarting from the Windows XP start page. Any suggestions?
Sauble

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. Right – you can’t get past the startup. What about booting from the Windows CD and preforming a “repair” installation? See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 315341 for instructions.

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I have a Windows XP disk, but not the one that was used on my computer. Does this matter? That knowledge base looks scary…do I really have the chance of loosing everything on my computer?
Sauble

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How far does the startup get before it “Restarts”?
This might be a dumb thought, but might the Reset or Power button be stuck?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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How far does the startup get before it “Restarts”?
This might be a dumb thought, but might the Reset or Power button be stuck?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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I have a Windows XP disk, but not the one that was used on my computer. Does this matter? That knowledge base looks scary…do I really have the chance of loosing everything on my computer?
Sauble

Reply | Quote

. Right – you can’t get past the startup. What about booting from the Windows CD and preforming a “repair” installation? See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 315341 for instructions.

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Thanks for the prompt reply. No I can get past the XP front page to my desktop otherwise I’d have no problems. The computer keeps restarting from the Windows XP start page. Any suggestions?
Sauble

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Have you tried reinstalling Spybot? Have you tried a System Restore to a point prior to uninstalling Spybot? What about Spybot weren’t you “completely happy with”? How did you remove Spybot?

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Which Spybot?
What is the complete name as there are many “spybots” and several spybot removers with “Spybot” in their name?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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The program is SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.3. I removed it through Control panel…which is how I always remove my programs. It asked to restart I clicked OK…the rest is in restart mode continually. I can’t get into safe mode any which way. I do have XP Professional microsoft disks but not the disks used on this computer. What do you suggest?
sauble
PS yes I’ll have agreat day once I get this computer back running…thnks

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Can you turn the machine off by holding down the power button? If so, you should be able to start it again and go into safe mode. I’ve had no problems with SpyBot S&D, but I’ve never tried to uninstall it. What key are you holding down to try and restart in safe mode?

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Can you turn the machine off by holding down the power button? If so, you should be able to start it again and go into safe mode. I’ve had no problems with SpyBot S&D, but I’ve never tried to uninstall it. What key are you holding down to try and restart in safe mode?

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Once you get past this “experience”, you can ensure you have completely removed Spybot S&D by following the instructions here.
Personally, I would then reinstall Spybot S&D, including the TeaTimer component, and update and use it at least weekly!

Have you tried turning off the computer, ie. completely OFF, for 15-20 seconds then turning back on?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

Reply | Quote

Once you get past this “experience”, you can ensure you have completely removed Spybot S&D by following the instructions here.
Personally, I would then reinstall Spybot S&D, including the TeaTimer component, and update and use it at least weekly!

Have you tried turning off the computer, ie. completely OFF, for 15-20 seconds then turning back on?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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I know I’m throwing a monkey wrench into this thread ’cause it is always possible that a software glitch cause all manner of problems, but… This spontaneous re-booting sounds like it might just be a coincidental hardware problem, like a power supply or a bad memory stick. Get something bootable, other than your hard drive, either a bootable floppy or the Windows installation CD and try starting the machine. Of course, booting from the CD requires that the BIOS be properly set. If yours is not, can you hit the DEL or F2 or whatever key at POST to get into the BIOS? It seems to me that if this baby will boot to a removable disk OR allow you to get to BIOS, you may very well have a hardware problem that just decided to rear its ugly head coincident with your Spybot removal.

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Adding to Al’s thoughts, you could check the CPU fan, and any other chip fans your system has, to ensure it is working OK.
Make sure you ground yourself to the computer chassis before you touch anything on the motherboard.
Check if it is blocked by dust or not functioning at all.

To me, this doesn’t sound like a software problem as a result of uninstalling Spybot S&D. I’m with Al in that it seems more likely a hardware problem that became obvious when you restarted your computer after the uninstall. An overheated chip could be the problem, hence my suggestions to check the fans.

Being unhappy with Spybot R&D, were you, by any chance, making any edits to the registry?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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You could also download and run Memtest86 from here – not only will this test your memory (let it run overnight so it will get several passes in) but since it runs from a bootable floppy, it may help in determining if it is hardware. I concur that you should make sure your system is clean (I use a vacuum and soft paint brush) and all the fans are turning freely first – OEM case fans are cheap – I have had them seize. And I just had a 120mm Antec fan seize on me to – now that upset me.

Note: If there are no problems rebooting while running this test, it does not mean your hardware is okay. This is a stress test of sorts but does not really stress the CPU or system bus, or video – places where heat could still be causing your problems.

And I concur with Al when suggesting the power supply. A failing or over taxed PS can create some very odd and diverse symptoms – rebooting not the least of them.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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You could also download and run Memtest86 from here – not only will this test your memory (let it run overnight so it will get several passes in) but since it runs from a bootable floppy, it may help in determining if it is hardware. I concur that you should make sure your system is clean (I use a vacuum and soft paint brush) and all the fans are turning freely first – OEM case fans are cheap – I have had them seize. And I just had a 120mm Antec fan seize on me to – now that upset me.

Note: If there are no problems rebooting while running this test, it does not mean your hardware is okay. This is a stress test of sorts but does not really stress the CPU or system bus, or video – places where heat could still be causing your problems.

And I concur with Al when suggesting the power supply. A failing or over taxed PS can create some very odd and diverse symptoms – rebooting not the least of them.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Yes. I had this same problem last month and the culprit turned out to be a Sandisk USB drive that had “hung up”. I kept getting the IRQ_NOT_LESS_THAN blue screen when trying to boot when I noticed that the light on the end of the drive was on constantly. I pulled the drive out and the system the booted normally.

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Yes. I had this same problem last month and the culprit turned out to be a Sandisk USB drive that had “hung up”. I kept getting the IRQ_NOT_LESS_THAN blue screen when trying to boot when I noticed that the light on the end of the drive was on constantly. I pulled the drive out and the system the booted normally.

Reply | Quote

Adding to Al’s thoughts, you could check the CPU fan, and any other chip fans your system has, to ensure it is working OK.
Make sure you ground yourself to the computer chassis before you touch anything on the motherboard.
Check if it is blocked by dust or not functioning at all.

To me, this doesn’t sound like a software problem as a result of uninstalling Spybot S&D. I’m with Al in that it seems more likely a hardware problem that became obvious when you restarted your computer after the uninstall. An overheated chip could be the problem, hence my suggestions to check the fans.

Being unhappy with Spybot R&D, were you, by any chance, making any edits to the registry?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

Reply | Quote

I know I’m throwing a monkey wrench into this thread ’cause it is always possible that a software glitch cause all manner of problems, but… This spontaneous re-booting sounds like it might just be a coincidental hardware problem, like a power supply or a bad memory stick. Get something bootable, other than your hard drive, either a bootable floppy or the Windows installation CD and try starting the machine. Of course, booting from the CD requires that the BIOS be properly set. If yours is not, can you hit the DEL or F2 or whatever key at POST to get into the BIOS? It seems to me that if this baby will boot to a removable disk OR allow you to get to BIOS, you may very well have a hardware problem that just decided to rear its ugly head coincident with your Spybot removal.

Reply | Quote

The program is SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.3. I removed it through Control panel…which is how I always remove my programs. It asked to restart I clicked OK…the rest is in restart mode continually. I can’t get into safe mode any which way. I do have XP Professional microsoft disks but not the disks used on this computer. What do you suggest?
sauble
PS yes I’ll have agreat day once I get this computer back running…thnks

Reply | Quote

Which Spybot?
What is the complete name as there are many “spybots” and several spybot removers with “Spybot” in their name?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

Reply | Quote

THANKS TO YOU ALL WHO HELPED IN YOUR ADVISE. I’VE GOT MY COMPUTER BACK RUNNING NOW AFTER DOING A RE-INSTALL, repair saving my important files and settings. Everything is working good now. HAPPY NEW YEAR

sauble

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THANKS TO YOU ALL WHO HELPED IN YOUR ADVISE. I’VE GOT MY COMPUTER BACK RUNNING NOW AFTER DOING A RE-INSTALL, repair saving my important files and settings. Everything is working good now. HAPPY NEW YEAR

sauble

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