Can not boot is Safe Mode.

[Guest]

I have a machine that I am working on that boots into normal mode just fine
and appears to run fine, but if I try to boot into any of the safe modes the
computer loads all the drivers, starts to display the welcome screen and then
reboots. This machine is running Windows XP home upgrade with service pack 2
and all the latest security patches. I have scanned for viruses with Norton
Antivirus 2005 that has the latest definitions, and run Micrsoft AntiSpam
software that is up to date and found no threats. I hate to do anything
drastic as an in place upgrade to try to fix this since it boots in normal
mode just fine. Anyone have an idea where to start with this problem?

 

[johnf]

Not all PC manufacturers use the Escape key to get into Safe Mode. Could
that be the problem?

 

[Guest]

No, I don't think so. I used f8 to invoke the start up menu options OK, it
just won't finish booting when I select any of the safe mode options.

John Hoy

 

[johnf]

According to me (I'm possibly wrong) the majority of PC's use F8 to get into
BIOS, but Escape to go to Safe Mode. It usually flashes up on the screen
(very momentarily) as to which key to use.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Safe Mode is part of Windows, it doesn't matter what brand the PC is.
Unless F8 is used for getting into the BIOS on a particular PC.

The Esc key will not work to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

F8 is for Windows Safe Mode.

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[johnf]

Sorry, Wes, I'm a bit confused (or too old).
If I hit Escape on mine, it takes me into BIOS, then when I close that, it
gives me the Nomal/Safemode etc. options (MOBO, AMI - less than 12 months
old)

 

[Guest]

I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is that
when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer reboots just
as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not happen if I pick a
normal startup. If this was a settings or driver issue would this not happen
in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi johnf,

I am both old and confused. ;-)

Yes Esc and many other key combinations work to get into BIOS. On my
machine it's F1. I included Michael Stevens link just to show how many
different ways there are for different BIOS brands/versions to get into a
BIOS Setup Utility.

F8 doesn't actually get you into Windows Safe Mode. F8 gets you to the
Windows Advanced Options Menu where you can choose different options,
Safe Mode is just one option.

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to Safe Mode, when you
see the following menu and hit Enter...
----------

Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA Mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent setting that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

----------

Picture here...
http://www.theeldergeek.com/images/Repairing Windows XP/pic1A.gif

or here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

Why closing your BIOS Setup Utility gets you to the Windows Advanced Options
Menu, I don't know.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to appear
in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no
network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when
you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum
device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed
driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or
reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such
as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are
corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to move
the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the Windows
Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Yes, I am sure. Like you said I would expect to have a problem in Normal mode
if I am having a problem in safe mode. This is the first time I have
encountered anything like this. I was wondering if perhaps a piece of
malware might have caused this to keep one from booting into safe mode to
prevent detection since there are a number of them that can only be detected
properly while in safe mode?

John Hoy

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to appear
in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no
network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when
you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum
device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed
driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or
reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such
as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are
corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to move
the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the Windows
Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is that
when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer reboots
just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not happen if
I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or driver issue would
this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

 

[Guest]

I have not tried the clean boot, but I will the next time I have a chance, I
susspect that may be almost as good as safe mode for scanning for viruses and
malware. If that does not work I think I will back up the entire disk and do
an inplace upgrade, and as a last resort do a clean install of the OS and
software and restore the files from the backup.

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to appear
in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no
network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when
you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum
device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed
driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or
reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such
as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are
corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to move
the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the Windows
Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is that
when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer reboots
just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not happen if
I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or driver issue would
this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

John,

Malware or a virus are always good candidates for causing problems.

Update your Antivirus software and run a complete system scan.

Update your antispyware programs and run scans.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Yes, I am sure. Like you said I would expect to have a problem in Normal
mode if I am having a problem in safe mode. This is the first time I have
encountered anything like this. I was wondering if perhaps a piece of
malware might have caused this to keep one from booting into safe mode to
prevent detection since there are a number of them that can only be
detected properly while in safe mode?

John Hoy

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to
appear in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help
you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea
what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to
move the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the
Windows Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is
that when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer
reboots just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not
happen if I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or driver
issue would this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

:

Safe Mode is part of Windows, it doesn't matter what brand the PC is.
Unless F8 is used for getting into the BIOS on a particular PC.

The Esc key will not work to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

 

[Wesley Vogel]

John,

Keep those in mind for last resort. There are always things that you forget
to backup that cause an Oh S**t. I have first experience of this. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have not tried the clean boot, but I will the next time I have a
chance, I susspect that may be almost as good as safe mode for scanning
for viruses and malware. If that does not work I think I will back up
the entire disk and do an inplace upgrade, and as a last resort do a
clean install of the OS and software and restore the files from the
backup.

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to
appear in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help
you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea
what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to
move the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the
Windows Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is
that when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer
reboots just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not
happen if I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or driver
issue would this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

:

Safe Mode is part of Windows, it doesn't matter what brand the PC is.
Unless F8 is used for getting into the BIOS on a particular PC.

The Esc key will not work to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

 

[Guest]

Wes,

Thanks for all the input. I know what you mean by the Oh S**t part I have
done that to myself to many times. Now I make an image of the entire disk
using Norton Ghost that I can restore to a spare drive if I find I have
forgotten something, this has saved me great aggravation and embarresment. I
already have made sure that the latest virus defs and have been applied
before I started, but I have found that sometimes a new piece of malware
creeps in before defs for it are available making the job of recovery a pain.

John Hoy

John,

Keep those in mind for last resort. There are always things that you forget
to backup that cause an Oh S**t. I have first experience of this. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have not tried the clean boot, but I will the next time I have a
chance, I susspect that may be almost as good as safe mode for scanning
for viruses and malware. If that does not work I think I will back up
the entire disk and do an inplace upgrade, and as a last resort do a
clean install of the OS and software and restore the files from the
backup.

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to
appear in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help
you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea
what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting into
Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would then allow
you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to
move the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the
Windows Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In John Hoy <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is
that when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer
reboots just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does not
happen if I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or driver
issue would this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

:

Safe Mode is part of Windows, it doesn't matter what brand the PC is.
Unless F8 is used for getting into the BIOS on a particular PC.

The Esc key will not work to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi John,

I can stand the embarrassment, but not the aggravation.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wes,

Thanks for all the input. I know what you mean by the Oh S**t part I have
done that to myself to many times. Now I make an image of the entire disk
using Norton Ghost that I can restore to a spare drive if I find I have
forgotten something, this has saved me great aggravation and
embarresment. I already have made sure that the latest virus defs and
have been applied before I started, but I have found that sometimes a new
piece of malware creeps in before defs for it are available making the
job of recovery a pain.

John Hoy

John,

Keep those in mind for last resort. There are always things that you
forget to backup that cause an Oh S**t. I have first experience of
this. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have not tried the clean boot, but I will the next time I have a
chance, I susspect that may be almost as good as safe mode for scanning
for viruses and malware. If that does not work I think I will back up
the entire disk and do an inplace upgrade, and as a last resort do a
clean install of the OS and software and restore the files from the
backup.

:

John,

Actually, if it was a driver issue, one would expect the problem to
appear in Normal mode not Safe Mode.

[[In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse,
monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services,
and no network connections). ]]

[[Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear
when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and
minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a
changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the
device or reverse the change.]]

[[There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you,
such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system
are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help
you. ]]

Something is wrong with your Safe Mode. Unfortunately, I have no idea
what.

You should be having problems getting into Normal mode where getting
into Safe mode would allow you to change settings, etc. which would
then allow you to get into Normal mode.

Any ideas that I have are bass ackwards. However you could try some of
these and then try starting in Safe Mode.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the Msconfig utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/

I am just guessing here. ;-(

I have to ask this. Are you sure that you're using the arrow key(s) to
move the highlight to Safe Mode before hitting your Enter key on the
Windows Advanced Options Menu?

Picture here...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/gif_wxp/wxpsec15.gif

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In John Hoy <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I am able to use f8 to get to the start up menu, the issue I have is
that when I pick safe mode or safemode with networking the computer
reboots just as the welcome screen starts to display, but this does
not happen if I pick a normal startup. If this was a settings or
driver issue would this not happen in bothe safe mode and normal mode?

:

Safe Mode is part of Windows, it doesn't matter what brand the PC is.
Unless F8 is used for getting into the BIOS on a particular PC.

The Esc key will not work to get into Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User