Booting in Safe Mode

[Guest]

Hi

I have a DELL Inspiron 1300 Notebook and recently things have started to go
wrong.

I have been trying to empty a stubborn recycle bin, but am confronted with
the message "Are you sure you want to delete Windows".

I have been following some user group guidance on trying to restore the
integrity of the recycle bin. This has required re-booting in safe mode.
However, when I try to do this, (pressing F8 and selecting safe mode with
command prompt), a safe mode (black) screen appears, then a log-in screen in
what appears VGA mode, and then the computer continues to boot into full
mode. I am unable to intervene to stop it as the keys and mouse have no
effect.

I have tried to boot in safe mode several times, but the same result arises.

Grateful for any help.

Anthony

 

[Wesley Vogel]

I have seen this myself on my machine.

[[Are you sure you want to delete WINDOWS?]]

Makes you stop and think when you see that message, doesn't it? ;-)

You probably have a damaged/corrupted file in the Recycle Bin.

Run Error Checking | Reboot | Try to empty the Recycle Bin again.

1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, right-click the volume you want to
check, and then click Properties.
2. On the Tools tab, click Check Now.
3. Select both of these:

* Automatically fix file system errors
* Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors

A message will popup.

[[The disk check could not be performed because the disk check utility needs
exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can be
accessed only by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule this disk check
to occur the next time you restart the computer?]]

Click YES.

You have to reboot for Error-checking to run.

Then reboot.

For a peek at the chkdisk log.
Start | Run | Type: eventvwr | OK
Look in Application | Listed as Information
under Winlogon, Event 1001
----------

Try Using the System Configuration Tool Method to get into Safe Mode
w/Command Prompt

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)

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

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Anonthy,

I am so glad to hear that you are out of the reboot loop!!! I was just
working on a reply to your previous post when I saw this post.

First thing you want to do is this.

Choosing recovery actions if Windows stops unexpectedly.

Right click My Computer | Properties | Advanced tab |
Click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery |
Under System Failure | UNCheck: Automatically restart |
Click OK | Click Apply | Click OK

Automatically restart
[[Specifies whether Windows will automatically reboot whenever the system
stops unexpectedly.
You must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group to set
recovery options.]]

This won't fix problems, but it should keep your machine from rebooting.

Unless the rebooting is caused by a hardware problem.

It may also help reading a BSOD. Blue Screen Of Death.
----------

The last known good control set works by keeping a backup control set of the
last successful boot.

What is the Last Known Good Control Set Good For?
The following three examples demonstrate what the last known good control
set is good for:

* You install a new device driver and restart Windows NT. The system stops
responding (hangs) when you start (boot) the computer. The last known good
control set will enable you to boot because it does not contain any
reference to the new, faulty driver.
* You install a new video driver and are able to restart the system.
However, you cannot see anything because the new video resolution is
incompatible with your video adapter. In this case, do not try to log on by
entering the correct keys. If you turn off and restart your computer, the
last known good control set can be used.
* You accidentally disable a system critical device driver (such as the
SCSIPORT driver). Windows NT is not be able to boot and reverts to the last
known good control set.
from...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/101790

Last Known Good Control Set relates to Last Known Good Configuration. Like
starting in Safe Mode, using the F8 key, only selecting Last Known Good
Configuration instead of Safe Mode from the Boot Menu.

Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from
problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your
hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers
or files.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Anthony,

Situations in Which Windows May Not Start in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/199175

Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308041

Post a copy of your boot.ini file.

To open boot.ini...
Start | Run | Type: C:\boot.ini | Click OK
Hit Ctrl + A to Select All
Hit Ctrl + C to Copy
Close the boot.ini, if it asks to save any changes, click NO.

Paste into a message and post back.

If the above did NOT open your boot.ini, try this.

Open System Properties...
Paste the following line into Start | Run and click OK...
control Sysdm.cpl,System,3
Click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery |
Click the Edit button under System startup |
Boot.ini should open |
Hit Ctrl + A to Select All
Hit Ctrl + C to Copy
Close the boot.ini, if it asks to save any changes, click NO.

Paste into a message and post back.

Boot.ini will look *similar* to this.

[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect /sos /NoExecute=OptIn

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Wesley

Thanks for getting back to me.

Here is the 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 Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


Anthony

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Anthony,

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS

partition(2)\WINDOWS means that Windows is on partition #2 on your hard
drive.

I wonder since it's a Dell if partition(1) is HIDDEN. This is often used to
store a backup of the system used with a recovery CD.

PC manufacturers do this so that they can save 3 cents and not have to
include an XP CD when you buy their machines.

Otherwise I do not see anything wrong with your boot.ini.

Mine has
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
because I have one hard disk and it is all one volume with only one
partition.

partition: A portion of a physical disk that functions as though it were a
physically separate disk.
Basic disks can have up to four partitions. Some people have partitions
bigger than my whole drive. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Wesley

I have made an XP-Home back-up disk set, but am not sure what I do next in
order to effect any system file repair or how I can access this hidden
partition. I have installed Windows Recovery Console so will try and figure
out what to do next. When I ran it, it asked me for some details that I was
unsure of (I can't remember precisely what it said but it was to do with
accessing a file or drive).


I'll go back to the Microsoft website references you kindly sent me to see
what it suggests.

Regards

Anthony

 

[Guest]

Wesley

I ran the Windows Console software and selected disk 1 and ran chkdsk /p.

That showed there was a problem with an unnamed file.

I then ran chkdsk /r to repair the problem, following which I ran chkdsk /p
again. It showed a problem free disk. I then booted into the F8 menu and
selected "safe mode with command prompt". Unfortunately, it was not playing
ball and behaved in precisely the manner it did before: took me into a black
screen with "safe mode" in each corner, with the Windows version across the
top. The keyboard and mouse were ineffective. The machine then displayed the
log-in screen in VGA and, again was unresponsive to keyboard or mouse input.
It then booted into windows normal mode.

I re-booted and went back to Windows console and tried to to select disk 2,
on the basis that there is a different partition containing the installaiton
system files. I was then informed that no such volume existed (or words to
that effect).

Am not sure what to do now. Is there another way of accessing the
installation files on the other partition?

Anthony

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Anthony,

Safe mode may not work in these situations:
1 A mass storage driver (SCSI or IDE) is damaged or has been accidentally
removed.
2 The Ntoskrnl.exe or Hal.dll file is damaged.
3 A program replaced system files that are critical to the operation of
Windows.

For 1, look in the Device Manager.

Start | Run | Type: devmgmt.msc | Click OK |

Look for a black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field, a red "X", a blue
"i" on a white field or a green question mark "?". Those all show some kind
of conflict, like messed up drivers.

Also look at Disk Drives, click the [+] to list your drive and double click
it. On the General tab that pops up it should show the Device status.
--------

System File Checker (sfc.exe) replaces screwed up system files.

For 2 & 3 run SFC.

Load your XP CD in your CD drive.

Start | Run | Type or paste: sfc /scannow | Click OK

sfc /scannow scans all protected system files immediately and replaces
incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

System File Checker takes a while to run.

If you have XP Home and it asks for your XP Pro CD, see this KB article...

You may be prompted to insert a Windows XP Professional CD when you run the
System File Checker tool in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897128

If SFC.EXE did anything it will be listed in the Event Viewer.

Open the Event Viewer...
Start | Run | Type: eventvwr | Click OK | Click System |

Windows File Protection will be listed under the Source column. Look at any
Windows File Protection entries.

Explains a whole bunch about sfc.exe.
scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Wesley

Thanks fo rth einfo.

I ran devmgmt.msc and checked the files - everything OK.

I then ran sfc.exe, which asked me for my Windows XP CD ROM which, of
course, I don't have.

I will check out the references you sent but wonder what I can do if all
suggestions require access to an XP CD ROM.

Merry Christmas

Anthony

Anthony,

Safe mode may not work in these situations:
1 A mass storage driver (SCSI or IDE) is damaged or has been accidentally
removed.
2 The Ntoskrnl.exe or Hal.dll file is damaged.
3 A program replaced system files that are critical to the operation of
Windows.

For 1, look in the Device Manager.

Start | Run | Type: devmgmt.msc | Click OK |

Look for a black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field, a red "X", a blue
"i" on a white field or a green question mark "?". Those all show some kind
of conflict, like messed up drivers.

Also look at Disk Drives, click the [+] to list your drive and double click
it. On the General tab that pops up it should show the Device status.
--------

System File Checker (sfc.exe) replaces screwed up system files.

For 2 & 3 run SFC.

Load your XP CD in your CD drive.

Start | Run | Type or paste: sfc /scannow | Click OK

sfc /scannow scans all protected system files immediately and replaces
incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

System File Checker takes a while to run.

If you have XP Home and it asks for your XP Pro CD, see this KB article...

You may be prompted to insert a Windows XP Professional CD when you run the
System File Checker tool in Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897128

If SFC.EXE did anything it will be listed in the Event Viewer.

Open the Event Viewer...
Start | Run | Type: eventvwr | Click OK | Click System |

Windows File Protection will be listed under the Source column. Look at any
Windows File Protection entries.

Explains a whole bunch about sfc.exe.
scannow sfc (sfc.exe)
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
(Sfc.exe)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley

I ran the Windows Console software and selected disk 1 and ran chkdsk /p.

That showed there was a problem with an unnamed file.

I then ran chkdsk /r to repair the problem, following which I ran chkdsk
/p again. It showed a problem free disk. I then booted into the F8 menu
and selected "safe mode with command prompt". Unfortunately, it was not
playing ball and behaved in precisely the manner it did before: took me
into a black screen with "safe mode" in each corner, with the Windows
version across the top. The keyboard and mouse were ineffective. The
machine then displayed the log-in screen in VGA and, again was
unresponsive to keyboard or mouse input. It then booted into windows
normal mode.

I re-booted and went back to Windows console and tried to to select disk
2, on the basis that there is a different partition containing the
installaiton system files. I was then informed that no such volume
existed (or words to that effect).

Am not sure what to do now. Is there another way of accessing the
installation files on the other partition?

Anthony