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Question

Constant Reboot and Can't Repair Advice

Apr 19, 2011 2:37AM PDT

Constant Reboot, can't Repair I
downloaded an update to a program. I started to install it, but needed
to cancel it and continue later. I hit cancel, but my system started to
go weird, locking up and various unknown windows started opening. I was
able to get into Task Manager, and canceled all the processes that were
running that appeared to be associated with that program.
I then noticed that my virus protection, Microsoft Security Essentials,
was turned off, with a notice that my system was unprotected. I
attempted to restart it, but kept getting a message that it cannot be
restarted. After playing with it a bit, I was able to start a scan,
thinking a bug got into the system, even though I thought the program
was from a legitimate source. I also scanned the file for viruses before
installing. The scan started, and a message appeared that a potential
threat was discovered and details would appear after the scan. Well, the
scan never completed, my system started rebooting. After that I was not
able to get into Windows again, and was only able to get into Safe Mode
once, now not at all, it constantly reboots.
I put the Vista disc in the disc drive after changing my boot sequence
in my bios and attempted to repair Windows, but a message came up that
Windows can't be repaired and it would send info to Microsoft.
I have 2 hard drives installed, C: the drive with Windows, and E: where I
keep most of my programs and personal data. With the Command Prompt, I
can see the C: drive, but I'm told E: "The device is not ready."
I am not sure what to do next. I was considering buying a new hard
drive, and installing Windows 7 on it as I bought the program last year
and never installed it. But I am not sure if this is a hardware,
software, or virus problem? I tried running Windows Security Essentials
from the command prompt, but it won't run.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
(NT) Make model and the NAME of that PROGRAM please.
Apr 19, 2011 2:43AM PDT
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Answer
A no-install hardware test I use.
Apr 19, 2011 2:45AM PDT
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Answer
Thank you
Apr 20, 2011 12:37AM PDT

Sorry, the program was MediaMonkey. Like I said, I downloaded and started the install but then canceled. I d/l'd it from their website so I'm sure it wasn't the program, but maybe canceling it midstream caused a problem.

Thanks for the suggestions Bob, I will try the UBUNTU cd. I never heard of this but will check it out.