System Restore in Safe Mode prevents normal reboot

[eli]

Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again. Notice
that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware or software.
The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to run System Restore
yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series of
events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode as long
as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run System Restore
in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt
restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Hello to you. What are you using System Restore in the first place?

 

[eli]

Hi PA:

Was using it to see if it works in Safe Mode, after I noticed in didnt work
in Normal Mode when I upgraded the security Suite. there had been some minor
problem with a toolbar, I wasnted to fix using SR back last Wednesday.

After I went back to the earlier version of that security suite, I found
that I can't reboot the PC into Normal Mode after performing a SR in Safe
Mode. Oddly , I need to restore again while in Safe Mode. And this second
restore seems to take forever. I'm then able to restart in Normal Mode.

I AM able to successfully do a SR in Normal Mode now, but apparently SR in
Safe Mode creates many problems.

Wish I could simplify this....

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP 3
Zone Alarm securitty Suite 7.0.484.000

=================================================

 

[eli]

Hi PA Bear

Initially , I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security toolbar. I
found I could only do SR in Safe Mode, but not in Normal Mode. I downgraded
back to the earlier version of that Security Suite. I found it then can be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

I wanted to test that out last night, so I ran a test System Restore to see
if it's consistently so. That's when I found I couldnt restart in Normal
Mode after doing a SR in Safe Mode. I had to run the SR in Safe Mode yet
again, to an earlier point. and it seemed to take forever for the SR process
to complete. When it did, the system DID restart in Normal Mode.

So oddly, I'm able to perform SR in Normal Mode with this earlier version of
the security suite. But when I run it in Safe Mode system doesnt restart
without much hassle. I dont think Zone Alarm is runnig in Safe Mode. So I
doubt this particular problem is due to ZA

Wish I could explain it all more simply..

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.0.483.000
Dell OptiPlex GX 260
1.5 Gig RAM

**************************************************************

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Initially, I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security toolbar.

What minor problem with which security toolbar?

...I downgraded
back to the earlier version of [ZAISS?]. I found it then can be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

Sounds like something to post about in the appropriate ZA forum:
http://forums.zonealarm.com

That being said, has aNorton or McAfee application ever been installed on
the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

 

[eli]

Hi again:

Th SR done last week pertained to a problem in the way a web browser
security toolbar-- which was bundled in with the latest ZA suite --was
displaying in Firefox. It was displaying properly at first. Then it didnt.

It was then that I noticed that SR only worked in Safe Mode with the later
version of Zone alarm security Suite 9.1.008.000. It couldnt complete in
Normal Mode.

When I went back to the earlier versionI had upgraded from, Zone Alarm
Security suite 7.0, I found that SR worked in both Safe Mode and in Normal
mode.

I did post about all this at that zone alarm forum last week. Was told there
that there were no known issues regarding SR in Zone Alarm Security Suite
9.1

Yesterday I tried SR -while using that older version I had installed back
to--as a TEST of SR. I wasnt trying to restore for any particular reason
then. Just testing if my previous observation was corect.

It was then that I found that System Restore in Safe Mode prevents proper
restart of the PC. SR in Normal Mode runs just fine. This is what the
sequence of events in my post here refers to.

As to Norton and Macafee, to the best of my knowledge no such products were
ever installed on this PC. When I got it over 5 years ago , a very early
version of Zone Alarm was installed on it. I got it second-hand though.

Thanks again:

-eli
=====================================

Initially, I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security toolbar.

What minor problem with which security toolbar?

...I downgraded
back to the earlier version of [ZAISS?]. I found it then can be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

Sounds like something to post about in the appropriate ZA forum:
http://forums.zonealarm.com

That being said, has aNorton or McAfee application ever been installed on
the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

Initially , I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security
toolbar. I
found I could only do SR in Safe Mode, but not in Normal Mode. I
downgraded
back to the earlier version of that Security Suite. I found it then can
be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

I wanted to test that out last night, so I ran a test System Restore to
see
if it's consistently so. That's when I found I couldnt restart in Normal
Mode after doing a SR in Safe Mode. I had to run the SR in Safe Mode yet
again, to an earlier point. and it seemed to take forever for the SR
process
to complete. When it did, the system DID restart in Normal Mode.

So oddly, I'm able to perform SR in Normal Mode with this earlier version
of
the security suite. But when I run it in Safe Mode system doesnt restart
without much hassle. I dont think Zone Alarm is runnig in Safe Mode. So
I
doubt this particular problem is due to ZA

Wish I could explain it all more simply..

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.0.483.000
Dell OptiPlex GX 260
1.5 Gig RAM

**************************************************************

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

As to Norton and Macafee, to the best of my knowledge no such products

were
ever installed on this PC. When I got it over 5 years ago , a very early
version of Zone Alarm was installed on it. I got it second-hand though.

It was a used/previously owned (second-hand) computer when you bought it?

Did you format the HDD and do a clean install of Windows immediately after
buying it?
--
~PA Bear

Hi again:

Th SR done last week pertained to a problem in the way a web browser
security toolbar-- which was bundled in with the latest ZA suite --was
displaying in Firefox. It was displaying properly at first. Then it didnt.

It was then that I noticed that SR only worked in Safe Mode with the later
version of Zone alarm security Suite 9.1.008.000. It couldnt complete in
Normal Mode.

When I went back to the earlier versionI had upgraded from, Zone Alarm
Security suite 7.0, I found that SR worked in both Safe Mode and in Normal
mode.

I did post about all this at that zone alarm forum last week. Was told
there
that there were no known issues regarding SR in Zone Alarm Security Suite
9.1

Yesterday I tried SR -while using that older version I had installed back
to--as a TEST of SR. I wasnt trying to restore for any particular reason
then. Just testing if my previous observation was corect.

It was then that I found that System Restore in Safe Mode prevents proper
restart of the PC. SR in Normal Mode runs just fine. This is what the
sequence of events in my post here refers to.

As to Norton and Macafee, to the best of my knowledge no such products
were
ever installed on this PC. When I got it over 5 years ago , a very early
version of Zone Alarm was installed on it. I got it second-hand though.

Thanks again:

-eli
=====================================

Initially, I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security
toolbar.

What minor problem with which security toolbar?

...I downgraded
back to the earlier version of [ZAISS?]. I found it then can be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

Sounds like something to post about in the appropriate ZA forum:
http://forums.zonealarm.com

That being said, has aNorton or McAfee application ever been installed on
the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

Initially , I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security
toolbar. I
found I could only do SR in Safe Mode, but not in Normal Mode. I
downgraded
back to the earlier version of that Security Suite. I found it then can
be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

I wanted to test that out last night, so I ran a test System Restore to
see
if it's consistently so. That's when I found I couldnt restart in Normal
Mode after doing a SR in Safe Mode. I had to run the SR in Safe Mode yet
again, to an earlier point. and it seemed to take forever for the SR
process
to complete. When it did, the system DID restart in Normal Mode.

So oddly, I'm able to perform SR in Normal Mode with this earlier
version
of
the security suite. But when I run it in Safe Mode system doesnt
restart
without much hassle. I dont think Zone Alarm is runnig in Safe Mode. So
I
doubt this particular problem is due to ZA

Wish I could explain it all more simply..

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.0.483.000
Dell OptiPlex GX 260
1.5 Gig RAM

**************************************************************

Hello to you. What are you using System Restore in the first place?

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again.
Notice
that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware or
software.
The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to run System
Restore
yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series
of
events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode as
long
as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run System
Restore
in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it
doesnt
restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

 

[eli]

I've had thic PC for over five years now, without any restart problems.
I hadnt done any installation of Windows XP Professional came installed on
it. As well as Zone Alarm Security. I be;leive Version 6.0 or 6.1

-eli

*******************************

As to Norton and Macafee, to the best of my knowledge no such products
were
ever installed on this PC. When I got it over 5 years ago , a very early
version of Zone Alarm was installed on it. I got it second-hand though.

It was a used/previously owned (second-hand) computer when you bought it?

Did you format the HDD and do a clean install of Windows immediately after
buying it?
--
~PA Bear

Hi again:

Th SR done last week pertained to a problem in the way a web browser
security toolbar-- which was bundled in with the latest ZA suite --was
displaying in Firefox. It was displaying properly at first. Then it
didnt.

It was then that I noticed that SR only worked in Safe Mode with the
later
version of Zone alarm security Suite 9.1.008.000. It couldnt complete in
Normal Mode.

When I went back to the earlier versionI had upgraded from, Zone Alarm
Security suite 7.0, I found that SR worked in both Safe Mode and in
Normal
mode.

I did post about all this at that zone alarm forum last week. Was told
there
that there were no known issues regarding SR in Zone Alarm Security Suite
9.1

Yesterday I tried SR -while using that older version I had installed
back
to--as a TEST of SR. I wasnt trying to restore for any particular reason
then. Just testing if my previous observation was corect.

It was then that I found that System Restore in Safe Mode prevents proper
restart of the PC. SR in Normal Mode runs just fine. This is what the
sequence of events in my post here refers to.

As to Norton and Macafee, to the best of my knowledge no such products
were
ever installed on this PC. When I got it over 5 years ago , a very early
version of Zone Alarm was installed on it. I got it second-hand though.

Thanks again:

-eli
=====================================

Initially, I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security
toolbar.

What minor problem with which security toolbar?

...I downgraded
back to the earlier version of [ZAISS?]. I found it then can be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

Sounds like something to post about in the appropriate ZA forum:
http://forums.zonealarm.com

That being said, has aNorton or McAfee application ever been installed
on
the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?


eli wrote:
Initially , I had run SR to correct a mnior problem in a security
toolbar. I
found I could only do SR in Safe Mode, but not in Normal Mode. I
downgraded
back to the earlier version of that Security Suite. I found it then can
be
done in both Safe mode and Normal Mode.

I wanted to test that out last night, so I ran a test System Restore to
see
if it's consistently so. That's when I found I couldnt restart in
Normal
Mode after doing a SR in Safe Mode. I had to run the SR in Safe Mode
yet
again, to an earlier point. and it seemed to take forever for the SR
process
to complete. When it did, the system DID restart in Normal Mode.

So oddly, I'm able to perform SR in Normal Mode with this earlier
version
of
the security suite. But when I run it in Safe Mode system doesnt
restart
without much hassle. I dont think Zone Alarm is runnig in Safe Mode.
So
I
doubt this particular problem is due to ZA

Wish I could explain it all more simply..

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite 7.0.483.000
Dell OptiPlex GX 260
1.5 Gig RAM

**************************************************************

Hello to you. What are you using System Restore in the first place?

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took
way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again.
Notice
that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware or
software.
The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to run System
Restore
yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series
of
events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode
as
long
as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run System
Restore
in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it
doesnt
restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

 

[Daave]

Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again.
Notice that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware
or software. The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to
run System Restore yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series
of events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode
as long as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run
System Restore in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in
Safe Mode, it doesnt restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

You didn't mention if you had uninstalled Zone Alarm. (I assume you
didn't.) This page might help:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[eli]

Hi Dave

I had completely uninstalled the most recent version of Zone Alarm Security
9.1, which only allowed SR in Safe Mode,
and reverted back to the ealier version : Version: 7.0. last week

That earlier version did seem to work with SR in both Safe Mode and Normal
Mode unitl I ran that SR "TEST" yesterday. It's then I found that running it
in Safe Mode makes it very complicated to get back to Normal Mode.

-Eli

********************************************

 

[Daave]

Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

 

[eli]

Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact same
System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which yesterday
[Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The PC didnt reboot at
all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told Windows couldnt load
properly-due to some hardware or software change-- and the only option on
that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the same expected
result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe Mode, just to
see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I could reboot into Normal
Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation which
causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================

 

[Daave]

Which Restore Point did you select? It is important to pick a point that
is before the time you started experiencing this problem.

My hunch is that your Zone Alarm suite was responsible for the problem
initially. Furthermore, uninstalling version 9.1 and installing 7.0
might have introduced another layer of complication (especially if you
hadn't run the special removal tool first). My recommendation is to
uninstall 7.0 (while physically disconnected to the Internet) and then
enable the Windows Firewall. Plug back in and download and run the Zone
Alarm Removal Tool (this page contains a direct link to the tool at the
zonealarm.com Web site):

http://www.technibble.com/zone-alarm-removal-tool-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Furthermore, I would never place ZA back on your PC! It's more trouble
than it's worth IMO. In its place, continue to use the Windows Firewall,
which is really all you need for a firewall (outgoing protection is
highly overrated; if something nasty made it in in the first place, it
very well can disable outgoing monitoring and blocking!). Also use Avira
AntiVir for your real-time AV program, which is highly rated, light on
resources, and free *and* MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and
SUPERAntiSpyware (both free) for your non-viral antimalware needs. You
will be happy with that combination, guaranteed. And you'll never have
issues with System Restore again.

If removing ZA totally doesn't fix the broken system, you might need to
run SFC or even a Repair Install. (I hope that's not necessary.)

Once everything is working to your satisfaction, turn off SR and then
turn it back on again in order to delete all the old problematic restore
points. Good luck.

Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact
same System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which
yesterday [Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The PC
didnt reboot at all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told Windows
couldnt load properly-due to some hardware or software change-- and
the only option on that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the same
expected result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe Mode,
just to see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I could
reboot into Normal Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation
which causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================

Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

 

[eli]

Hi again ,Dave:

Thanks for your detailed post.

I did run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool you referenced whenever I
uninstalled Zone Alarm Secuirty Suite from the system.

Yes, there were some issues with SR from the time I upgraded to ZASS 9.1 ,
which is why I downgraded back to ZASS 7.0. But restore points to before
that upgrade were purged by me. My Zone Alarm subscription runs out in a
month or so anyhow, so perhaps it'stime for a change. Of course I'd always
run that removal tool for uninstaling ZA

Two questions come to mind at this point:

1) I'm thinking of trying Trend Micro Internet Security's fee trial offer.
Would you happen to know if that security system works well with system
restore. assuming I continue to not be able to run system Restore in Safe
Mode. Would you happen to know if Trend Micro security would allow it in
Normal Mode?


2) Is there a way I can run the SFC you mention without the Windows XP
disk. I did try to run it, but it asked for the Windows xP disk. There are
some defective sectors on that disk, and I fear it doesnt read properly.
Also many of those system files had been altered by windows updates and SP3.
The Windows disk goes back to 2001. Since the essential system files are all
on the PC anyhow [i386?], it would seem there should be a way to run System
File Check so that missing/corrupted files are replaced by ones already
installed. Is there a fix by which I can run that SFC against essential
system files already installed in that folder and NOT against the disk?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

****************************************************

Which Restore Point did you select? It is important to pick a point that
is before the time you started experiencing this problem.

My hunch is that your Zone Alarm suite was responsible for the problem
initially. Furthermore, uninstalling version 9.1 and installing 7.0 might
have introduced another layer of complication (especially if you hadn't
run the special removal tool first). My recommendation is to uninstall 7.0
(while physically disconnected to the Internet) and then enable the
Windows Firewall. Plug back in and download and run the Zone Alarm Removal
Tool (this page contains a direct link to the tool at the zonealarm.com
Web site):

http://www.technibble.com/zone-alarm-removal-tool-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Furthermore, I would never place ZA back on your PC! It's more trouble
than it's worth IMO. In its place, continue to use the Windows Firewall,
which is really all you need for a firewall (outgoing protection is highly
overrated; if something nasty made it in in the first place, it very well
can disable outgoing monitoring and blocking!). Also use Avira AntiVir for
your real-time AV program, which is highly rated, light on resources, and
free *and* MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware (both free) for
your non-viral antimalware needs. You will be happy with that combination,
guaranteed. And you'll never have issues with System Restore again.

If removing ZA totally doesn't fix the broken system, you might need to
run SFC or even a Repair Install. (I hope that's not necessary.)

Once everything is working to your satisfaction, turn off SR and then turn
it back on again in order to delete all the old problematic restore
points. Good luck.

Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact
same System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which
yesterday [Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The PC
didnt reboot at all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told Windows
couldnt load properly-due to some hardware or software change-- and
the only option on that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the same
expected result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe Mode,
just to see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I could
reboot into Normal Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation
which causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================

Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

eli wrote:
Hi Dave

I had completely uninstalled the most recent version of Zone Alarm
Security 9.1, which only allowed SR in Safe Mode,
and reverted back to the ealier version : Version: 7.0. last week

That earlier version did seem to work with SR in both Safe Mode and
Normal Mode unitl I ran that SR "TEST" yesterday. It's then I found
that running it in Safe Mode makes it very complicated to get back
to Normal Mode.
-Eli

********************************************

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took
way longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt
restart. When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe
Mode again.
Notice that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in
hardware or software. The only way I was able to get out of Safe
Mode was to run System Restore yet again to an ealier period.
About a day back. I tried this again, to see if it was still a
problem. The same
series of events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal
Mode as long as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I
can run System Restore in Normal mode without a problem. But if I
run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

You didn't mention if you had uninstalled Zone Alarm. (I assume you
didn't.) This page might help:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[Daave]

Hi again ,Dave:

Thanks for your detailed post.

I did run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool you referenced whenever I
uninstalled Zone Alarm Secuirty Suite from the system.

Yes, there were some issues with SR from the time I upgraded to ZASS
9.1 , which is why I downgraded back to ZASS 7.0. But restore points
to before that upgrade were purged by me.

Oops! That was the best way to get out of this loop! That was a mistake
to do this, but what's done is done!

If you really want to cover yourself in the future, you need to
regularly image your hard drive. Then if you get yourself in a similar
pickle in the future, all you would need to do is restore the image. I
prefer Acronis True Image. There are free imaging programs, too,
including DriveImageXML. ATI's strong points are that it allows
incremental imaging as well as the ability to make a clone of the hard
drive.

My Zone Alarm subscription
runs out in a month or so anyhow, so perhaps it'stime for a change.
Of course I'd always run that removal tool for uninstaling ZA

Two questions come to mind at this point:

1) I'm thinking of trying Trend Micro Internet Security's fee trial
offer. Would you happen to know if that security system works well
with system restore. assuming I continue to not be able to run system
Restore in Safe Mode. Would you happen to know if Trend Micro
security would allow it in Normal Mode?

I can't recommend this suite. Actually, most people in the know
recommend against *all* suites.

Furthermore, why spend money? Yes, it's a trial offer now, but
eventually you will need to purchase it if you want to keep using it.
There are excellent *free* anti-malware programs. And like I said
earlier, the Windows Firewall is just fine. I would reconsider if I were
you.

2) Is there a way I can run the SFC you mention without the Windows
XP disk. I did try to run it, but it asked for the Windows xP disk.
There are some defective sectors on that disk, and I fear it doesnt
read properly. Also many of those system files had been altered by
windows updates and SP3. The Windows disk goes back to 2001. Since
the essential system files are all on the PC anyhow [i386?], it would
seem there should be a way to run System File Check so that
missing/corrupted files are replaced by ones already installed. Is
there a fix by which I can run that SFC against essential system
files already installed in that folder and NOT against the disk?

You have the right idea. You need to change the registry entry that is
pointing toward the CD-ROM drive and change it to C:. More info here:

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

I would make a copy of your XP installation CD. Actually, you might as
well use the "slipstream" method and integrate SP3 into it. This would
be essential for both Clean and Repair Installs. If you need guidance,
start a new thread.

If you do wind up needing to perform a Repair Install, start a thread
for that, too, because there are some precautions you must take before
doing so (involving IE and perhaps WMP).

In the future, don't purge your recent Restore Points if they are still
good!!! They are there for a reason!

Thanks in advance:
YW.

-Eli

****************************************************

Which Restore Point did you select? It is important to pick a point
that is before the time you started experiencing this problem.

My hunch is that your Zone Alarm suite was responsible for the
problem initially. Furthermore, uninstalling version 9.1 and
installing 7.0 might have introduced another layer of complication
(especially if you hadn't run the special removal tool first). My
recommendation is to uninstall 7.0 (while physically disconnected to
the Internet) and then enable the Windows Firewall. Plug back in and
download and run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool (this page contains a
direct link to the tool at the zonealarm.com Web site):

http://www.technibble.com/zone-alarm-removal-tool-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Furthermore, I would never place ZA back on your PC! It's more
trouble than it's worth IMO. In its place, continue to use the
Windows Firewall, which is really all you need for a firewall
(outgoing protection is highly overrated; if something nasty made it
in in the first place, it very well can disable outgoing monitoring
and blocking!). Also use Avira AntiVir for your real-time AV
program, which is highly rated, light on resources, and free *and*
MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware (both free) for your
non-viral antimalware needs. You will be happy with that
combination, guaranteed. And you'll never have issues with System
Restore again. If removing ZA totally doesn't fix the broken
system, you might need
to run SFC or even a Repair Install. (I hope that's not necessary.)

Once everything is working to your satisfaction, turn off SR and
then turn it back on again in order to delete all the old
problematic restore points. Good luck.

Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact
same System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which
yesterday [Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The PC
didnt reboot at all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told Windows
couldnt load properly-due to some hardware or software change-- and
the only option on that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the same
expected result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe Mode,
just to see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I could
reboot into Normal Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation
which causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================


Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

eli wrote:
Hi Dave

I had completely uninstalled the most recent version of Zone
Alarm Security 9.1, which only allowed SR in Safe Mode,
and reverted back to the ealier version : Version: 7.0. last week

That earlier version did seem to work with SR in both Safe Mode
and Normal Mode unitl I ran that SR "TEST" yesterday. It's then I
found that running it in Safe Mode makes it very complicated to
get back to Normal Mode.
-Eli

********************************************

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation
took way longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but
didnt restart. When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in
safe Mode again.
Notice that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in
hardware or software. The only way I was able to get out of Safe
Mode was to run System Restore yet again to an ealier period.
About a day back. I tried this again, to see if it was still a
problem. The same
series of events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal
Mode as long as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I
can run System Restore in Normal mode without a problem. But if
I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

You didn't mention if you had uninstalled Zone Alarm. (I assume
you didn't.) This page might help:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[eli]

Hi again:

There IS a restore point left to the time AFTER Zone Alarm Security Suite
9.1 was uninstalled via remover tool and BEFORE Zone Alarm sceucirty Suite
7.0 was reinstalled. There was SR problems with 9.1 from the get go.

As of now, all is working fine. I can even go in and out of Safe Mode and do
things there. Just not SR in Safe Mode

Does it make sense to restore back to that point? It goes back to Wednesday
Feb 24. Or might such an operation make the system yet more unstable?

Thanks again for detailed advice:

-Eli

*********************************************

Hi again ,Dave:

Thanks for your detailed post.

I did run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool you referenced whenever I
uninstalled Zone Alarm Secuirty Suite from the system.

Yes, there were some issues with SR from the time I upgraded to ZASS
9.1 , which is why I downgraded back to ZASS 7.0. But restore points
to before that upgrade were purged by me.

Oops! That was the best way to get out of this loop! That was a mistake to
do this, but what's done is done!

If you really want to cover yourself in the future, you need to regularly
image your hard drive. Then if you get yourself in a similar pickle in the
future, all you would need to do is restore the image. I prefer Acronis
True Image. There are free imaging programs, too, including DriveImageXML.
ATI's strong points are that it allows incremental imaging as well as the
ability to make a clone of the hard drive.

My Zone Alarm subscription
runs out in a month or so anyhow, so perhaps it'stime for a change.
Of course I'd always run that removal tool for uninstaling ZA

Two questions come to mind at this point:

1) I'm thinking of trying Trend Micro Internet Security's fee trial
offer. Would you happen to know if that security system works well
with system restore. assuming I continue to not be able to run system
Restore in Safe Mode. Would you happen to know if Trend Micro
security would allow it in Normal Mode?

I can't recommend this suite. Actually, most people in the know recommend
against *all* suites.

Furthermore, why spend money? Yes, it's a trial offer now, but eventually
you will need to purchase it if you want to keep using it. There are
excellent *free* anti-malware programs. And like I said earlier, the
Windows Firewall is just fine. I would reconsider if I were you.

2) Is there a way I can run the SFC you mention without the Windows
XP disk. I did try to run it, but it asked for the Windows xP disk.
There are some defective sectors on that disk, and I fear it doesnt
read properly. Also many of those system files had been altered by
windows updates and SP3. The Windows disk goes back to 2001. Since
the essential system files are all on the PC anyhow [i386?], it would
seem there should be a way to run System File Check so that
missing/corrupted files are replaced by ones already installed. Is
there a fix by which I can run that SFC against essential system
files already installed in that folder and NOT against the disk?

You have the right idea. You need to change the registry entry that is
pointing toward the CD-ROM drive and change it to C:. More info here:

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

I would make a copy of your XP installation CD. Actually, you might as
well use the "slipstream" method and integrate SP3 into it. This would be
essential for both Clean and Repair Installs. If you need guidance, start
a new thread.

If you do wind up needing to perform a Repair Install, start a thread for
that, too, because there are some precautions you must take before doing
so (involving IE and perhaps WMP).

In the future, don't purge your recent Restore Points if they are still
good!!! They are there for a reason!

Thanks in advance:
YW.

-Eli

****************************************************

Which Restore Point did you select? It is important to pick a point
that is before the time you started experiencing this problem.

My hunch is that your Zone Alarm suite was responsible for the
problem initially. Furthermore, uninstalling version 9.1 and
installing 7.0 might have introduced another layer of complication
(especially if you hadn't run the special removal tool first). My
recommendation is to uninstall 7.0 (while physically disconnected to
the Internet) and then enable the Windows Firewall. Plug back in and
download and run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool (this page contains a
direct link to the tool at the zonealarm.com Web site):

http://www.technibble.com/zone-alarm-removal-tool-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Furthermore, I would never place ZA back on your PC! It's more
trouble than it's worth IMO. In its place, continue to use the
Windows Firewall, which is really all you need for a firewall
(outgoing protection is highly overrated; if something nasty made it
in in the first place, it very well can disable outgoing monitoring
and blocking!). Also use Avira AntiVir for your real-time AV
program, which is highly rated, light on resources, and free *and*
MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware (both free) for your
non-viral antimalware needs. You will be happy with that
combination, guaranteed. And you'll never have issues with System
Restore again. If removing ZA totally doesn't fix the broken
system, you might need
to run SFC or even a Repair Install. (I hope that's not necessary.)

Once everything is working to your satisfaction, turn off SR and
then turn it back on again in order to delete all the old
problematic restore points. Good luck.


eli wrote:
Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact
same System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which
yesterday [Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The PC
didnt reboot at all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told Windows
couldnt load properly-due to some hardware or software change-- and
the only option on that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the same
expected result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe Mode,
just to see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I could
reboot into Normal Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation
which causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================


Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

eli wrote:
Hi Dave

I had completely uninstalled the most recent version of Zone
Alarm Security 9.1, which only allowed SR in Safe Mode,
and reverted back to the ealier version : Version: 7.0. last week

That earlier version did seem to work with SR in both Safe Mode
and Normal Mode unitl I ran that SR "TEST" yesterday. It's then I
found that running it in Safe Mode makes it very complicated to
get back to Normal Mode.
-Eli

********************************************

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation
took way longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but
didnt restart. When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in
safe Mode again.
Notice that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in
hardware or software. The only way I was able to get out of Safe
Mode was to run System Restore yet again to an ealier period.
About a day back. I tried this again, to see if it was still a
problem. The same
series of events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal
Mode as long as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I
can run System Restore in Normal mode without a problem. But if
I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

You didn't mention if you had uninstalled Zone Alarm. (I assume
you didn't.) This page might help:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[Jose]

Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again. Notice
that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware or software.
The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to run System Restore
yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series of
events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode as long
as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run System Restore
in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt
restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

How did you get into Safe Mode in the first place?

Did you select Safe Mode from the boot menu by pressing F8 during the
XP load or did you modify your boot.ini file in some way to force Safe
Mode (like adding the /SAFEBOOT option)? Have you ever modified your
boot.ini to help troubleshooting?

Can you edit/copy/paste the contents of your "it only boots in Safe
Mode" c:\boot.ini file here for analysis?

We need to figure out what is wrong with your system when it is broken
and when it is only booting in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is generally not
too complicated - it is Normal mode, some kind of Safe Mode or you
don't boot at all. There is malware that will prevent your system
from booting at all if have used msconfig to tamper with the boot.ini,
but that is not hard to fix either.

Solution to not booting after adjusting boot.ini using msconfig: Boot
into Recovery Console, rename c:\boot.ini so you no longer have one,
reboot. In general configurations, XP does not need a c:\boot.ini to
load. XP will complain, but still boot normally. Then fix your
boot.ini if it needs fixing or make a new one. You can run chkdsk
from your genuine bootable XP installation CD or Recovery Console
while you are at it.

SFC will not help you if your CD does not match your installed Service
Pack and it will also not run in Safe Mode. I have never seen it fix
anything anyway and when it "works" it is always ends up being a
coincidental result of something else that was fixed.. If SFC ever
finds something to do, you have another problem.

 

[Daave]

You should only use SR if there is something wrong with your system. If
everything is working fine except SR in Safe Mode, it is most likely
because you are running Zone Alarm.

I would *not* run SR to the point where ZA 9.1 was uninstalled unless
you uninstall 7.0 first. Then again, if you uninstall 7.0 (still
recommended for the reasons already given) and successfully run the ZA
Removal Tool again, you probably won't even need to run SR.

Hi again:

There IS a restore point left to the time AFTER Zone Alarm Security
Suite 9.1 was uninstalled via remover tool and BEFORE Zone Alarm
sceucirty
Suite 7.0 was reinstalled. There was SR problems with 9.1 from the
get go.

As of now, all is working fine. I can even go in and out of Safe Mode
and do things there. Just not SR in Safe Mode

Does it make sense to restore back to that point? It goes back to
Wednesday Feb 24. Or might such an operation make the system yet more
unstable?
Thanks again for detailed advice:

-Eli

*********************************************

Hi again ,Dave:

Thanks for your detailed post.

I did run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool you referenced whenever I
uninstalled Zone Alarm Secuirty Suite from the system.

Yes, there were some issues with SR from the time I upgraded to ZASS
9.1 , which is why I downgraded back to ZASS 7.0. But restore points
to before that upgrade were purged by me.

Oops! That was the best way to get out of this loop! That was a
mistake to do this, but what's done is done!

If you really want to cover yourself in the future, you need to
regularly image your hard drive. Then if you get yourself in a
similar pickle in the future, all you would need to do is restore
the image. I prefer Acronis True Image. There are free imaging
programs, too, including DriveImageXML. ATI's strong points are that
it allows incremental imaging as well as the ability to make a clone
of the hard drive.

My Zone Alarm subscription
runs out in a month or so anyhow, so perhaps it'stime for a change.
Of course I'd always run that removal tool for uninstaling ZA

Two questions come to mind at this point:

1) I'm thinking of trying Trend Micro Internet Security's fee trial
offer. Would you happen to know if that security system works well
with system restore. assuming I continue to not be able to run
system Restore in Safe Mode. Would you happen to know if Trend
Micro security would allow it in Normal Mode?

I can't recommend this suite. Actually, most people in the know
recommend against *all* suites.

Furthermore, why spend money? Yes, it's a trial offer now, but
eventually you will need to purchase it if you want to keep using
it. There are excellent *free* anti-malware programs. And like I
said earlier, the Windows Firewall is just fine. I would reconsider
if I were you.

2) Is there a way I can run the SFC you mention without the Windows
XP disk. I did try to run it, but it asked for the Windows xP disk.
There are some defective sectors on that disk, and I fear it doesnt
read properly. Also many of those system files had been altered by
windows updates and SP3. The Windows disk goes back to 2001. Since
the essential system files are all on the PC anyhow [i386?], it
would seem there should be a way to run System File Check so that
missing/corrupted files are replaced by ones already installed. Is
there a fix by which I can run that SFC against essential system
files already installed in that folder and NOT against the disk?

You have the right idea. You need to change the registry entry that
is pointing toward the CD-ROM drive and change it to C:. More info
here: http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

I would make a copy of your XP installation CD. Actually, you might
as well use the "slipstream" method and integrate SP3 into it. This
would be essential for both Clean and Repair Installs. If you need
guidance, start a new thread.

If you do wind up needing to perform a Repair Install, start a
thread for that, too, because there are some precautions you must
take before doing so (involving IE and perhaps WMP).

In the future, don't purge your recent Restore Points if they are
still good!!! They are there for a reason!

Thanks in advance:
YW.

-Eli

****************************************************


Which Restore Point did you select? It is important to pick a point
that is before the time you started experiencing this problem.

My hunch is that your Zone Alarm suite was responsible for the
problem initially. Furthermore, uninstalling version 9.1 and
installing 7.0 might have introduced another layer of complication
(especially if you hadn't run the special removal tool first). My
recommendation is to uninstall 7.0 (while physically disconnected
to the Internet) and then enable the Windows Firewall. Plug back
in and download and run the Zone Alarm Removal Tool (this page
contains a direct link to the tool at the zonealarm.com Web site):

http://www.technibble.com/zone-alarm-removal-tool-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Furthermore, I would never place ZA back on your PC! It's more
trouble than it's worth IMO. In its place, continue to use the
Windows Firewall, which is really all you need for a firewall
(outgoing protection is highly overrated; if something nasty made
it in in the first place, it very well can disable outgoing
monitoring and blocking!). Also use Avira AntiVir for your
real-time AV program, which is highly rated, light on resources,
and free *and* MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware
(both free) for your non-viral antimalware needs. You will be
happy with that combination, guaranteed. And you'll never have
issues with System Restore again. If removing ZA totally
doesn't fix the broken system, you might need
to run SFC or even a Repair Install. (I hope that's not necessary.)

Once everything is working to your satisfaction, turn off SR and
then turn it back on again in order to delete all the old
problematic restore points. Good luck.


eli wrote:
Hi again, david:

The command prompt:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" merely brings up the the exact
same System Restore program and user interface in Safe Mode which
yesterday [Saturday] caused me to "get trapped" in Safe Mode. The
PC didnt reboot at all, and when I "forced" it to , I was told
Windows couldnt load properly-due to some hardware or software
change-- and the only option on that screen was Safe Mode again..

Not sure how or if I'll get out of Safe Mode this time if the
same expected result ensues.

I've tried installing n uninstalling minor programs in Safe
Mode, just to see if the same might happen. It went fine , and I
could reboot into Normal Mode smoothly.

So thus far, it appears that System Restore is the only operation
which causes this baffling cycle of entrapment" in the Safe Mode

-Eli

============================================


Try running it in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

eli wrote:
Hi Dave

I had completely uninstalled the most recent version of Zone
Alarm Security 9.1, which only allowed SR in Safe Mode,
and reverted back to the ealier version : Version: 7.0. last
week That earlier version did seem to work with SR in both Safe
Mode
and Normal Mode unitl I ran that SR "TEST" yesterday. It's then
I found that running it in Safe Mode makes it very complicated
to get back to Normal Mode.
-Eli

********************************************

eli wrote:
Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation
took way longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but
didnt restart. When I manually shut it and restarted, it was
in safe Mode again.
Notice that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in
hardware or software. The only way I was able to get out of
Safe Mode was to run System Restore yet again to an ealier
period. About a day back. I tried this again, to see if it
was still a problem. The same
series of events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal
Mode as long as I dont do a system restore while in Safe
Mode. I can run System Restore in Normal mode without a
problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt restart
properly. What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

You didn't mention if you had uninstalled Zone Alarm. (I assume
you didn't.) This page might help:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

 

[eli]

Hi Jose:

I went into safe mode by tapping the F8 key.I never did via the /SAFEBOOT
option. Nor did I ever modify the boot.ini file while troubleshooting..

Contents of C:\boot.ini file:

===================

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

====================

Says it was modified last night: 12:18 AM . It has 211 bytes. I never
deliberately modified it in an attempt to troubleshoot. it shows as a
hidden file here.

-Eli

*******************************************************************************

Hello:

When I ran system restore in Safe Mode, the restore operation took way
longer than usual. Ipon reboot, the PC shut down, but didnt restart.

When I manually shut it and restarted, it was in safe Mode again. Notice
that Windows couldnt laod properly due to change in hardware or software.
The only way I was able to get out of Safe Mode was to run System Restore
yet again to an ealier period. About a day back.

I tried this again, to see if it was still a problem. The same series of
events happened.

So it seems I can now go into Safe Mode and reboot inot normal Mode as
long
as I dont do a system restore while in Safe Mode. I can run System Restore
in Normal mode without a problem. But if I run it in Safe Mode, it doesnt
restart properly.

What might be causing this. and how to remedy it?

Thanks in advance:

-Eli

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
Zone Alarm Security Suite
Dell Optiplex GX 260

How did you get into Safe Mode in the first place?

Did you select Safe Mode from the boot menu by pressing F8 during the
XP load or did you modify your boot.ini file in some way to force Safe
Mode (like adding the /SAFEBOOT option)? Have you ever modified your
boot.ini to help troubleshooting?

Can you edit/copy/paste the contents of your "it only boots in Safe
Mode" c:\boot.ini file here for analysis?

We need to figure out what is wrong with your system when it is broken
and when it is only booting in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is generally not
too complicated - it is Normal mode, some kind of Safe Mode or you
don't boot at all. There is malware that will prevent your system
from booting at all if have used msconfig to tamper with the boot.ini,
but that is not hard to fix either.

Solution to not booting after adjusting boot.ini using msconfig: Boot
into Recovery Console, rename c:\boot.ini so you no longer have one,
reboot. In general configurations, XP does not need a c:\boot.ini to
load. XP will complain, but still boot normally. Then fix your
boot.ini if it needs fixing or make a new one. You can run chkdsk
from your genuine bootable XP installation CD or Recovery Console
while you are at it.

SFC will not help you if your CD does not match your installed Service
Pack and it will also not run in Safe Mode. I have never seen it fix
anything anyway and when it "works" it is always ends up being a
coincidental result of something else that was fixed.. If SFC ever
finds something to do, you have another problem.