Boots up ok and then all-black desktop; safe mode works

[JM]

I can turn on my computer as usual, it goes through all
the normal startup status bars and then when I'd expect to
get the desk top, I get darkness.

I CAN boot up in safe mode (where I am now). The mfg
shipped only complete reinstall for backup operating
system so I can't boot up from a CD.

IBM help said to do a complete reinstall; microsoft wants
$250 to "help" (I mean, come on, I could pull off my files
and install them on a new computer for twice that!)

Suggestions?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I can turn on my computer as usual, it goes through all
the normal startup status bars and then when I'd expect to
get the desk top, I get darkness.

I CAN boot up in safe mode (where I am now). The mfg
shipped only complete reinstall for backup operating
system so I can't boot up from a CD.

IBM help said to do a complete reinstall; microsoft wants
$250 to "help" (I mean, come on, I could pull off my files
and install them on a new computer for twice that!)

Suggestions?

Since you can boot in Safe Mode, the damage happens
with one of your drivers or with one of your startup programs.
To home in on the issue, I recommend this:

- Remove all non-essential adapters (sound card, network
adapter).
- Think about the recent history of the machine. What changed
with respect to hardware / software?
- Scan your PC with an external virus scanner,
e.g. on www.antivirus.com ("free online scan").
- Download & run msconfig.exe, then carefully examine
every startup task, and disable whatever is not essential
(http://www.svrops.com/svrops/dwnldoth.htm).

I don't know the ins and outs of machines where Win2000
is factory-installed but I would feel very uncomfortable not
having my Win2000 CD.