Can only start in Safe Mode

[Geoplay]

I tried to install an updated version of Windows Installer, and when I
restarted the computer, I got a completely blank screen. I can now only
start in safe mode. My OS Should be* XP Pro sp3 on my Stand Alone desktop
PC. I've tried re-installing from the CD, but part way through I receive a
message than setup cannot find any drives, and to exit setup.
As this is my only computer, and I am using safe mode with Network, I am
able to send this e-mail, through Outlook Express.
I would be extremely grateful if someone could give me instruction on how to
sort this out.
TIA
Geoplay

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I tried to install an updated version of Windows Installer, and
when I restarted the computer, I got a completely blank screen. I
can now only start in safe mode. My OS Should be* XP Pro sp3 on my
Stand Alone desktop PC. I've tried re-installing from the CD, but
part way through I receive a message than setup cannot find any
drives, and to exit setup. As this is my only computer, and I am using
safe mode with Network,
I am able to send this e-mail, through Outlook Express.
I would be extremely grateful if someone could give me instruction
on how to sort this out.

If you could boot into Safe Mode - why didn't (don't) you utilize system
restore to go back to a date before the issue occurred?

 

[Geoplay]

Because system restore is disabled.

If you could boot into Safe Mode - why didn't (don't) you utilize system
restore to go back to a date before the issue occurred?

 

[John Wunderlich]

I tried to install an updated version of Windows Installer, and
when I restarted the computer, I got a completely blank screen. I
can now only start in safe mode. My OS Should be* XP Pro sp3 on my
Stand Alone desktop PC. I've tried re-installing from the CD, but
part way through I receive a message than setup cannot find any
drives, and to exit setup. As this is my only computer, and I am
using safe mode with Network, I am able to send this e-mail,
through Outlook Express. I would be extremely grateful if someone
could give me instruction on how to sort this out.
TIA
Geoplay

Do you have a SATA disk drive? The Windows install disks do not
recognize this kind of drive and will respond with a "no drives
found" type error message. You will have to put your SATA drivers
on a floppy disk and press F6 at the beginning of a reinstall to
load the proper drivers for SATA drives. There are many articles on
this subject. One is:

"Install XP: Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in
your computer"

<http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives...-hard-disk-drives-installed-in-your-computer/>

HTH,
John

 

[AJR]

Regarding "...Because system restore is disabled..." - how does it go
"better to be safe than sorry". You would have to look long and far for a
valid reason to disable System Restore.

Meanwhile - a successful Safe Mode boot and unsuccessful normal boot
indicates a driver problem (99% pure).