I have XP. System is unable to start. It reboots without even going into OS. I am unable to get into safe mode, last known setup or start into command prompt. I tried to boot from CD, system goes half way trying to load the files and it reboots again. My CPU fan, system fan are working properly. System shows following message: one of the hardware was removed please start the system in safe mode, last known good configuration etc. I am wondering could this be a memory issue? I have disabled onboard LAN.

This sounds very much like a CPU problem, or as you pointed out, a RAM problem. I just answered a question very much like this here http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=38135 ...

Since you have already tried booting from a CD ROM then it is very likely that your hardware and not the OS system is the problem. The error message you report is troubling however. It sounds like an error message that is given when a drive with some type of security is placed inside another computer. Of course if you have been accessed by a few types of viruses the message would be very similar.

If you can't get the machine to boot at all then you are in the position of testing the CPU and the RAM chips to start with. If you have access to another computer with the same types of chips you could try swapping them out and seeing if that is the problem. I would then move to the hard drive with the other computer and see if it will boot in there.

Check all of the ribbons and cables as well. A loose connection or card can cause this type of problem.

If you can let us know how those tests went we may be able to help you out further.

Glenn

By the way, if your hardware checks out, then you are probably looking at a Registry problem.. and here is a Microsoft page on dealing with that.. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

Originally Posted by hunter786

I have XP. System is unable to start. It reboots without even going into OS. I am unable to get into safe mode, last known setup or start into command prompt. I tried to boot from CD, system goes half way trying to load the files and it reboots again. My CPU fan, system fan are working properly. System shows following message: one of the hardware was removed please start the system in safe mode, last known good configuration etc. I am wondering could this be a memory issue? I have disabled onboard LAN.

What option are you taking when you boot the XP CD?

http://michaelstevenstech.com/index.html

Do you know the manufacturer of your hard drive?

You will find the major brand diagnostics listed here:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

With a few others listed here:

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/