Can't turn on System Restore in safe mode

[Wendy]

I encountered a problem (long story, but thank you so much Norton tech
support...not!), my new laptop crashed and when I restarted it was in safe
mode. Turns out that the system restore had been turned off prior to the
laptop being sold to me and I can't turn it on in safe mode. I am unable to
reboot in "normal" mode despite spamming the F8 key and selecting "start in
normal mode" option. When I go to System Config, the "boot in safemode"
option is checked and when I uncheck it and reboot it defaults back to being
checked.
Any ideas as to what I can do?
Ps. It's a Dell Inspiron Mini, it's Saturday, and Dell support only operate
Mon - Fri.

 

[Bob]

Try this:

1. Right-click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and click Properties.
2. Click the System Restore tab.
3. Remove the check mark next to Turn off System Restore on All Drives.

Or this:

From the System Configuration Utility, on the General tab, click Launch
System Restore.

 

[Wendy]

Thanks for responding Bob, but I've tried both of those things. The message
I get is "System restore cannot be enabled in safe mode. Please restart your
machine in normal mode and try again".

Problem is, I can't get my laptop to start in normal mode...at all!

 

[John Inzer]

Thanks for responding Bob, but I've tried both of those things. The
message I get is "System restore cannot be enabled in safe mode.
Please restart your machine in normal mode and try again".

Problem is, I can't get my laptop to start in normal mode...at all!

"Bob" wrote:

===========================================
Maybe using 'Last Known Good Configuration' would
be worth a try. Have a look at the following article:

Windows Vista -
Using Last Known Good Configuration
http://tinyurl.com/56cq6c
or...
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/cdb4c0dd-5698-4197-b906-d6a6d413621d1033.mspx

--

J. Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Wendy]

Thanks John, but I tried that too.

I'm thinking maybe I should restore factory settings and then re-install OS.
Not sure it will even allow me to do that in safe mode though.

 

[Bob]

Run sfc /scannow, disk cleanup and disk defrag before you resort to System
Recovery.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Did you buy this computer brand-new or used, Wendy?

If's brand-new:

When (date) did you buy it?

Where did you buy it and are you sure it's running WinXP?

Did a Norton free-trial come preinstalled on the computer? Have you
upgraded to a paid version of a Norton application?

I can assure you that Dell Support techs are available 24/7, Wendy, at least
under terms of your Warranty.

 

[Jim]

I encountered a problem (long story, but thank you so much Norton tech
support...not!), my new laptop crashed and when I restarted it was in safe
mode. Turns out that the system restore had been turned off prior to the
laptop being sold to me and I can't turn it on in safe mode. I am unable to
reboot in "normal" mode despite spamming the F8 key and selecting "start in
normal mode" option. When I go to System Config, the "boot in safemode"
option is checked and when I uncheck it and reboot it defaults back to being
checked.
Any ideas as to what I can do?
Ps. It's a Dell Inspiron Mini, it's Saturday, and Dell support only operate
Mon - Fri.

When you uncheck , do you "apply" and then "ok" ?

 

[Wendy]

Hi Robear,

It's brand new...I bought it last Monday from PC World and I'm definitely
running Windows XP Home Edition.

No it didn't come with Norton pre-installed. I bought the Norton disc
(although the laptop doesn't have a cd/dvd drive) at the same time as the
laptop ...with hindsight, I should have purchased it online.

The problem seems to be that my husband tried going onto the Norton site to
activate/download by entering the product key. He got to a point hwere he
realised that you could only do this with downloads purchased from their
online store, so he abandoned the exercise.

Today I tried installing from the disc (we bought an external drive) and got
a message saying that the programme had detected another Norton product and
was preparing to remove it. After doing so, I got a restart prompt. This
happened 3 times so I decided to contact Norton support.

The upshot of it is that the Norton tech did the same thing I did...5 or 6
times and when he reaslised it wasn't going to work, he tried to interrupt
the programme..a warning flashed up from the Norton programme stating that
this could cause serious system problems. My laptop then crashed and the
whole "safe mode" saga began.

 

[Wendy]

Jim,

Yes I do.

When you uncheck , do you "apply" and then "ok" ?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Your new netbook if still under (Dell) Warranty: Take it back to PC World &
have them resolve these issues. If PC World gives you any gruff, contact
your credit card company & contest the charge!

NB: It's very unusual for a Dell computer to come without an anti-virus
free-trial preinstalled. However, if such was the case and the computer was
connected to the internet (even for a few minutes) without (1) a
fully-updated & fully-functional anti-virus application installed and/or (2)
without a firewall enabled, insist that PC World formats the hard-drive and
returns the computer to OOBE state.

Do not accept the machine until the PC World techs (1) have gotten your
purchased Norton application installed & fully-updated, (2) have made
certain that either the Norton firewall or the Windows Firewall is enabled,
(3) have made sure the computer's fully-patched at Windows Update, and that
(4) you can reach & use http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com via Internet
Explorer.

If a Norton free-trial was preinstalled, it will be reinstalled when the
machine's returned to OOBE state. As such, you or the tech must
download/run the Norton Removal Tool & reboot *before* installing the Norton
application you purchased. See
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

IMHO, it's simply inexcusable for PC World to have sold you a computer that
didn't have a fully-functional anti-virus application installed before you
left the store!

PS: While Dell will stand behind the Warranty, chances are that PC World is
handling your Service Contract (if any).

Best of luck. (I would have purchased the netbook online from Dell,
myself.)

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[TYPO CORRECTION]

Your new netbook [IS] still under (Dell) Warranty: Take it back to PC
World &
have them resolve these issues. If PC World gives you any gruff, contact
your credit card company & contest the charge!

<snip>

 

[Wendy]

PA Bear,

Thank you very much for your valuable advice. You're right on every count,
especially about buying Dell online. My desktop is a Dell and I purchased it
from Dell direct. The thing is, we were shopping for a netbook and overall
dimensions were a major consideration (needs to fit into a safe when we go on
holiday) and I suppose we got caught up in the moment.

We even signed up for PC World tech support (£3.99/month, but as it turns
out, when you call them, if you have a Dell, they just give you the Dell
support line number!

I will be paying PC World a visit tomorrow...receipt in hand, and demanding
a refund.

Their sales staff are clueless e.g., during our visit, I asked for some
screen wipes. The sales guy went away and came back with a container...I
didn't have my glasses on and couldn't be bothered getting them out to check
what he had handed me, but assumed he knew what he was doing. When I got
home I put my glasses on and read the label on the container..."Not for use
on display screens"...I rest my case.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Wendy,

Select safe mode with command prompt:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

However, it won't help much because you won't have any restore points to
return to.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Wendy]

Thanks Kelly, but as "System Restore" is turned off, I can't do anything with
it unless I'm in "normal" mode...which I can't achieve for some reason.

 

[Wendy]

Ps. I have already tried it.

Hi Wendy,

Select safe mode with command prompt:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

However, it won't help much because you won't have any restore points to
return to.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

There is no logical reason for System Restore to be disabled or for the
machine to only boot into Safe Mode other than a hijackware infection.

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

PS: I'd demand a refund, if I were you.

 

[Wendy]

That's exactly what I'll be doing PA Bear
)

There is no logical reason for System Restore to be disabled or for the
machine to only boot into Safe Mode other than a hijackware infection.

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

PS: I'd demand a refund, if I were you.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I'd also file a complaint with http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/ IIWY