Member Avatar for onix

I have a desktop pc that keeps on looping instead of loading windows xp, the problem is even when I try to use safe mode to restore it still keeps on looping.it has 80gb hdd that uses sata cables,2gb ram and its motherboard is FOXCONN N15235.When I use it's HDD on a different computer system unit it loads windows xp nicely but when Iconnect it back to the original system unit it does not load windows.I have even tried to remove the CMOS battery and put it back but still it does no load the OS even when I try to use the last known goodconfiguration. Help me out plizzz!!

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described an 80GB SATA drive and 2GB RAM on a Foxconn N15235 that boots fine in a different PC but loops on the original machine (Safe Mode and CMOS battery pull did not help). That pattern strongly suggests the original system’s hardware or firmware (motherboard, SATA controller, or PSU) rather than the Windows installation. This follows ’s hardware concern and complements ’s troubleshooting direction: start with hardware-first checks before reinstalling or chasing OS corruption.

  • Boot with minimal hardware: leave CPU, one known-good RAM stick, video, and the problem HDD only. Remove extras (optical drives, extra HDDs, USB devices, add-in cards) and try to boot.
  • Swap the SATA cable and use a different SATA port; confirm the drive is detected in BIOS/UEFI and in the boot order.
  • Test memory by moving the single stick into each slot and trying a different stick if available.
  • Check the PSU: unstable 12V/5V rails or an aging PSU often cause reboot loops. Either measure rails with a multimeter or swap a known-good PSU.
  • Verify BIOS SATA mode (IDE/Legacy vs AHCI). A mismatch can prevent XP from loading if appropriate drivers are not present.
  • Visually inspect the motherboard around the CPU/VRM for leaking or bulging electrolytic capacitors; visible damage points to board repair or replacement.

If hardware checks look OK, repair the Windows boot environment from the XP Recovery Console (boot from the XP CD/WinPE) and run:

fixmbr
fixboot
chkdsk /r
bootcfg /rebuild

Also run a bootable memory tester and try a Linux/WinPE live USB to confirm whether the system can run outside of Windows. Because the HDD works in another PC, back up important data first. If swapping PSU and the minimal-hardware test still results in looping and caps are visibly suspect, the Foxconn board is the likely failure — consider professional recap/repair or replacement rather than risky BIOS flashing.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

hi, first I will say I haven't tried this yet ,but did bookmnark it for future use, hope it helps .

Member Avatar for TheQuestor

You need to look at the motherboard, Foxconn tend to use substandard parts and have an issue with puffing capacitors. Take a look at these photos Click Here and here Click Here to see if your board is suffering from this. Also you should download and run this Click Here which is a memory tester. [rant] XP is very fickle, and OLD, and should not under any circumstances be run on a machine that is connected to the internet as you are placing yourself and others at risk of infection. It is 12 year old OS that was designed BEFORE the internet was big and is no longer being supported or updated. [/rant] It also tends to mean your machine is getting up there in age and goes back to the looking for puffed capacitors as when they go, you will get the exact issue you are having.

Good luck.

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