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Win XP...No Safe Mode

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23 replies

by aszunick

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Running XP Pro on a Dell 4600. The computer works fine in normal mode. I had the need to boot into the Safe Mode. Reboot>F8. Boot selection window comes up and I select Safe Mode. System reboots into Normaal Mode every time. Haven't done anything different lately
All suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Arnie (aszunick@yahoo.com)

23 replies

by wcp

This is rather a strange problem.
One can only guess that Windows system (?) file(s) might have been corrupted or missing due to failing HD, Windows, or virus.
I recommend the following in sequence.

1. Scan for virus.
Make sure your current antivirus definition got updated before you run. Additional scan by online may be a good idea. http://tinyurl.com/5pzi
http://tinyurl.com/2xis
http://tinyurl.com/bdvsv
http://tinyurl.com/aauh5

2. Do a HD diagnostic test.
Download a diagnostic utility program from the HD manufacturer?s website.

3. Do CHKDSK.
From Command Prompt, type CHKDSK /R. It will run the next boot.

4. Do System File Check.
Start > Run and type SFC /SCANNOW. You have to out your Windows CD in the CD-ROM.

5. Do System Restore.
Go back to a date when you did not have the problem.

6. Reinstall Windows.
This is also called repair installation or in-place upgrade.

If you need more info, please add a comment.

by wcp

I am quoting the following paragraphs from http://tinyurl.com/b8cb8. It?s for Windows 2K but it should apply to Windows XP.
*************
When you boot into a safe-mode configuration, the boot loader NT Loader (NTLDR) passes to the kernel (ntoskrnl.exe) an associated switch as a command-line parameter, with any switches you have specified in the boot.ini file for the installation you are booting. If you boot into any safe mode, NTLDR passes the /SAFEBOOT: switch. NTLDR appends one or more additional strings to /SAFEBOOT:, depending on which type of safe mode you select. For standard safe mode, NTLDR appends MINIMAL, and adds NETWORK for networking-enabled safe mode. NTLDR adds MINIMAL(ALTERNATESHELL) for safe mode with command prompt and DSREPAIR for DS-repair mode.
The Win2K kernel scans boot parameters in search of the safe-mode switches early during the boot, and sets the internal variable InitSafeBootMode to a value that reflects the switches the kernel finds. The kernel writes the InitSafeBootMode value to the Registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Control\ SafeBootOptions\OptionValue so that user-mode components, such as the Service Control Manager (SCM), can determine what boot mode the system is in. In addition, if the system is booting safe mode with command prompt, the kernel sets the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\SafeBoot\ Options\UseAlternateShell value to 1. The kernel records the parameters that NTLDR passes to it in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\SystemStartOptions.
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BIOS flash or FDISK /MBR (http://tinyurl.com/85na4) may be other options but this is applicable if the problem started right after the XP Service Pack 2 installation. If you?d like to try this, backup your data beforehand.

by aszunick

Thanks for the recommendations. My thinking was a bit difference from yours so correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the boot sequence preceeded any install of the operating system. Therefore it should have something to do with the BIOS firmware.

by aszunick

Can I do the recovery with an upgrade disk as opposed to having a full program? See my comments below.

by sgt_shultz

my 2 cents is that *is* a weird one. i have never heard of it myself and so far, connot find those symptoms at support.microsoft.com
just for grins, what about trying a restore point?

by sgt_shultz

2 more cents: the boot menu screen you reached after pressing f8 is the windows boot loader menu. so you are 'past' the bios stuff at that point.
one far fetched thing that occurs to me is that you are actually 'rebooting' into normal mode due to an error in safe mode that we can't see. you could turn off that 'feature' of rebooting on system error by right-clicking my computer, then picking performance then unchecking relevant box.
meanwhile, i found this very interesting article that talks about something i have found lacking in windows and wished for: a start menu option to reboot into safe mode. i will clip it in next comment...

by korgmeister

try use restore cd, if it still didnt work. you better call Dell support.

technically speaking all the branded computer like Dell, Compaq, Nec.. etc etc. is being coded specifically on Window by microsoft. so to fix those kind of pc, it would be a little bit different.

however i wont buy any Dell or shit. i rather built it by myself. sometimes it could be cheaper and more customizable :)

by sue t

Can you use the safe mode with command prompt or safe mode with networking and boot into safe mode that way?

by d4dar

Hi

Try setting up safe mode before you restart.

go to 'start' 'run' the type MSCONFIG hit enter.
then you can choose diagnostic startup.

ok your way out & restart your computer.

good luck
~Darla

by aszunick

To all from aszunick:
Thanks for all the recommendations.

I've tried almost everything mentioned without success. I cannot use restore since I am not sure when the problem started. I cannot do an in-place install. I have an XP upgrade disk and I'm not sure it will act the same as a full XP program. I have complete backup's using Drive Image 7. However, it's possible that the "glitch" may be in the saved backup too.

When I tried to reset the startup (msconfig)....I selected "diagnostic" and on restart it had defaulted back to "selective".

by wcp

Reinstallation of Windows (or in-place upgrade) may not guarantee to resolve the problem but certainly an option.
If the reinstallation of Windows goes through, all your programs and data will be intact. To be safe, back up your data before trying.
However, if you do not feel comfortable of doing it, you are better off to let experienced person handle it.

by wcp

Came across the following.
http://tinyurl.com/5hofn
It said Nero InCD maight cause the Windows XP (SP2) to boot normally but not in Safe Mode.
Try upgrading or uninstalling it and see if the problem disappears.

by aszunick

Uninstalled Nero 6 and all is well. Thanks very much. One never knows where all the little files are going.

Now to find an upgrade!!

by sgt_shultz

do you think you could be rebooting into Normal mode because of failed safe mode attempt? if so what about changing the default settng of 'automatically restart on system error' Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance and recovery

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