Stuck Inside of Safe Mode..again

[Guest]

My Windows XP Home Edition is stuck in Safe Mode. I was running a Norton
Virus Scan, and following directions on the Norton Web Site, I entered Safe
Mode by clicking SafeBoot option on System Configuration Utility and by
temporarly stopping System Restore.

After running the virus scan, I tried Run > Start > msconfig, and nothing
happens (hourglass appears for about five seconds and then disappears). I
tried Run > Start > c:\windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\msconfig.exe, and
nothing happens. When I click on the icon for msconfig.exe to "Run as" I
get the error message, "A device attached to the system is not functioning."

I tried to locate boot.ini file and modify it according to instructions I
found on the web, but Search function in Safe Mode can't seem to locate it,
only "backup" versions. When I reboot using F5, if I select Normal reboot,
machine starts in Safe Mode; even selecting safe boot with Command.com gives
me the SafeBoot with modifed windows. (So I have what may seem to be multiple
malfunctions).

I'm looking for a way around and a way to get back to normal bootup, after
which time I promise to never again Safe Boot except by using the F5 method.

I even tried a freeware program called BootSafe to bypass MSCONFIG but get
the same error message as when I try to run MSCONFIG while in Safe Mode, "A
device attached to the system is not functioning".

I am in sort of a fix since system restore is immobilized and I can't
restore to a working version.

I hope someone has some ideas because I am out of ideas (short of Recovery
Console which seems drastic).

 

[Brian A.]

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375