Advanced options menu

[RD]

On boot, if i tap f8 to access the advanced options menu (to get "safe mode
with command prompt" the screen just remains black and i have to power off
and reboot.
I can change the startup from "msconfig" but this just gives me safe mode
without command prompt.
I am running xp home. Any ideas as to why i can't access the advanced
options?

 

[RD]

On boot, if i tap f8 to access the advanced options menu (to get "safe
mode with command prompt" the screen just remains black and i have to
power off and reboot.
I can change the startup from "msconfig" but this just gives me safe mode
without command prompt.
I am running xp home. Any ideas as to why i can't access the advanced
options?
This may help......

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You can use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) to get Safe Mode
w/Command Prompt.

[[Safe Mode with Command Prompt (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)):
This option is the same as Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead of
Windows Explorer.]]

Start | Run | Type: msconfig | Click OK |
Boot.ini tab | Select the following:
/SAFEBOOT
MINIMAL (ALTERNATESHELL)

Those two settings get you this switch >>>

/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

/safeboot: = This switch causes Windows to start in Safe Mode.
minimal(alternateshell) = Command Prompt (cmd.exe), if...

This switch starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt...

If these keys have the AlternateShell Value Data listed as cmd.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
Value Name: AlternateShell
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: cmd.exe

[[Note: The /sos, /bootlog, and /noguiboot switches are not required with
any one of these settings, but the switches can help with troubleshooting.
These switches are included if you press F8 and then select one of the
modes. ]]
++++++++++++

After making those boot.ini changes using msconfig, you need to click Apply
and Close.

Then click on: Restart.
===

After booting into the Safe Mode with the Command Prompt.

And when you're done using the command prompt...
Close the command prompt by typing:

exit

Hit the Enter key.

Or...

Click on the Close [X].

Or...
Start the Windows shell.

Type:

explorer

Hit the Enter key.

Or...
Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | Click
OK |

Either way, this warning will come up.

--------
Desktop Warning
Windows is running in safe mode.

This special diagnostic mode of windows enables you to fix a
problem which may be caused by your network or hardware
settings. Make sure these settings are correct in Control Panel, and
then try starting Windows again. While in safe mode, some of your
devices may not be available.

To proceed to work in safe mode, click Yes. If you prefer to use
System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state, click
No.
--------

Also, when done doing whatever, you need to open msconfig again...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: msconfig | Click
OK |

UNSelect: /SAFEBOOT under the boot.ini tab | Click Apply |
Under the General tab Select: Normal Startup - load all device drivers and
services | Click Apply and Close

Or...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | OK |

And open msconfig from Start | Run

Or Windows key + R to open the run box.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

On boot, if i tap f8 to access the advanced options menu (to get "safe
mode with command prompt" the screen just remains black and i have to
power off and reboot.
I can change the startup from "msconfig" but this just gives me safe mode
without command prompt.
I am running xp home. Any ideas as to why i can't access the advanced
options?
This may help......

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

 

[RD]

Ok, everything you advised was spot on, thank you very much. Maybe I can
trouble you further.. : )
What I'm trying to do is run a cmd to wipe my index.dat file, cmd as
follows......

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\UserData\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Cookies\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\UserData\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary
Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

The problem is that my temp folders are on a seperate partition (I).The cmd
was to be located at the root of "c" but I have edited the cmd to reflect
the location as i and located it at the root of i but it wont work no matter
how or where i put it. It either displays an invalid path or not a proper
cmd.
I'm sure i'm missing something simple that maybe you can see and advise on!
Thank you.

You can use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) to get Safe
Mode
w/Command Prompt.

[[Safe Mode with Command Prompt (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)):
This option is the same as Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead
of
Windows Explorer.]]

Start | Run | Type: msconfig | Click OK |
Boot.ini tab | Select the following:
/SAFEBOOT
MINIMAL (ALTERNATESHELL)

Those two settings get you this switch >>>

/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

/safeboot: = This switch causes Windows to start in Safe Mode.
minimal(alternateshell) = Command Prompt (cmd.exe), if...

This switch starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt...

If these keys have the AlternateShell Value Data listed as cmd.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
Value Name: AlternateShell
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: cmd.exe

[[Note: The /sos, /bootlog, and /noguiboot switches are not required with
any one of these settings, but the switches can help with troubleshooting.
These switches are included if you press F8 and then select one of the
modes. ]]
++++++++++++

After making those boot.ini changes using msconfig, you need to click
Apply
and Close.

Then click on: Restart.
===

After booting into the Safe Mode with the Command Prompt.

And when you're done using the command prompt...
Close the command prompt by typing:

exit

Hit the Enter key.

Or...

Click on the Close [X].

Or...
Start the Windows shell.

Type:

explorer

Hit the Enter key.

Or...
Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | Click
OK |

Either way, this warning will come up.

--------
Desktop Warning
Windows is running in safe mode.

This special diagnostic mode of windows enables you to fix a
problem which may be caused by your network or hardware
settings. Make sure these settings are correct in Control Panel, and
then try starting Windows again. While in safe mode, some of your
devices may not be available.

To proceed to work in safe mode, click Yes. If you prefer to use
System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state, click
No.
--------

Also, when done doing whatever, you need to open msconfig again...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: msconfig | Click
OK |

UNSelect: /SAFEBOOT under the boot.ini tab | Click Apply |
Under the General tab Select: Normal Startup - load all device drivers and
services | Click Apply and Close

Or...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | OK
|

And open msconfig from Start | Run

Or Windows key + R to open the run box.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

On boot, if i tap f8 to access the advanced options menu (to get "safe
mode with command prompt" the screen just remains black and i have to
power off and reboot.
I can change the startup from "msconfig" but this just gives me safe
mode
without command prompt.
I am running xp home. Any ideas as to why i can't access the advanced
options?
This may help......

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Have a look at this program.

Index.dat Suite
[[Index.dat Suite is a rather unique program that allows you not only to
delete the index.dat files, temporary internet files, temp files, cookies
and history, but it also allows you to view the index.dat files on your
system.]]
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=index.datsuite

Index.dat Suite - manage index.dat files
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/indexdatsuite.html

Index.dat Suite creates a batch file that runs at boot to delete index.dat
files.

Just make sure to not delete
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache\index.dat.
This index.dat does not get recreated. The loss of this particlar file will
cripple System Information (msinfo32.exe). This index.dat actually does
something besides growing to a huge size.

Index.dat Suite has an option to not select any index.dat files. Do not
select >>
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OFFLIN~1\index.dat

You can also edit the batch file to exclude
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OFFLIN~1\index.dat

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Ok, everything you advised was spot on, thank you very much. Maybe I can
trouble you further.. : )
What I'm trying to do is run a cmd to wipe my index.dat file, cmd as
follows......

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\UserData\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Cookies\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Richard\UserData\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary
Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

The problem is that my temp folders are on a seperate partition (I).The
cmd was to be located at the root of "c" but I have edited the cmd to
reflect the location as i and located it at the root of i but it wont
work no matter how or where i put it. It either displays an invalid path
or not a proper cmd.
I'm sure i'm missing something simple that maybe you can see and advise
on! Thank you.

You can use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) to get Safe
Mode
w/Command Prompt.

[[Safe Mode with Command Prompt
(SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)): This option is the same as
Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead of
Windows Explorer.]]

Start | Run | Type: msconfig | Click OK |
Boot.ini tab | Select the following:
/SAFEBOOT
MINIMAL (ALTERNATESHELL)

Those two settings get you this switch >>>

/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

/safeboot: = This switch causes Windows to start in Safe Mode.
minimal(alternateshell) = Command Prompt (cmd.exe), if...

This switch starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt...

If these keys have the AlternateShell Value Data listed as cmd.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
Value Name: AlternateShell
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: cmd.exe

[[Note: The /sos, /bootlog, and /noguiboot switches are not required with
any one of these settings, but the switches can help with
troubleshooting. These switches are included if you press F8 and then
select one of the modes. ]]
++++++++++++

After making those boot.ini changes using msconfig, you need to click
Apply
and Close.

Then click on: Restart.
===

After booting into the Safe Mode with the Command Prompt.

And when you're done using the command prompt...
Close the command prompt by typing:

exit

Hit the Enter key.

Or...

Click on the Close [X].

Or...
Start the Windows shell.

Type:

explorer

Hit the Enter key.

Or...
Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer |
Click OK |

Either way, this warning will come up.

--------
Desktop Warning
Windows is running in safe mode.

This special diagnostic mode of windows enables you to fix a
problem which may be caused by your network or hardware
settings. Make sure these settings are correct in Control Panel, and
then try starting Windows again. While in safe mode, some of your
devices may not be available.

To proceed to work in safe mode, click Yes. If you prefer to use
System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state, click
No.
--------

Also, when done doing whatever, you need to open msconfig again...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: msconfig |
Click OK |

UNSelect: /SAFEBOOT under the boot.ini tab | Click Apply |
Under the General tab Select: Normal Startup - load all device drivers
and services | Click Apply and Close

Or...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer |
OK
And open msconfig from Start | Run

Or Windows key + R to open the run box.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

On boot, if i tap f8 to access the advanced options menu (to get "safe
mode with command prompt" the screen just remains black and i have to
power off and reboot.
I can change the startup from "msconfig" but this just gives me safe
mode
without command prompt.
I am running xp home. Any ideas as to why i can't access the advanced
options?
This may help......

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn