Failing to boot into safe mode.

M

Mike Barnard

Hi all.

I want to make an addition to my hosts file, however something is not
letting me save it. So I want to boot into safe mode to try it there.

F8 = safe mode, yes? No, not for me. It gives me a list of drives to
boot from, not boot options. So can anyone give me some ideas to
follow?

My PC specs in signature. Google hasn't helped, only to say a 2004
version of ZA was causing problems. (I've triedbooting without ZA.)
Any ideas please?

--
Mike Barnard, Worthing, UK.

Homebuild gaming PC:
Tsunami Dream case & Thermaltake 750w PSU.
ASUS P5B-E mobo (1807 bios) / Intel Core2 [email protected] / 4 gig DDR2 ram
Nvidea GTX260 graphics.
Creative Labs Xfi Xtreme Gamer - Logitech 5.1 surround sound
Sennheiser RS140 wireless headphones.
1 x 1tb WD Caviar Black SATA drive. (C - 250gb)(E - 675gb)
1 x Lightscribe DVD burner.
1 x 250gb Maxtor SATA
2 x 350gb WD SATA
1 x WD MyBook 500gb external drive
Razer Copperhead gaming mouse
Old, but comfortable, Logitech keyboard
Windows XP Pro, SP3, all patches. Legal.
Zone Alarm, free version.
Eset Nod32 anti virus.
Webroot spysweeper.
 
J

JS

Mike Barnard said:
Hi all.

I want to make an addition to my hosts file, however something is not
letting me save it. So I want to boot into safe mode to try it there.

F8 = safe mode, yes? No, not for me. It gives me a list of drives to
boot from, not boot options. So can anyone give me some ideas to
follow?

My PC specs in signature. Google hasn't helped, only to say a 2004
version of ZA was causing problems. (I've triedbooting without ZA.)
Any ideas please?

--
Mike Barnard, Worthing, UK.

Homebuild gaming PC:
Tsunami Dream case & Thermaltake 750w PSU.
ASUS P5B-E mobo (1807 bios) / Intel Core2 [email protected] / 4 gig DDR2 ram
Nvidea GTX260 graphics.
Creative Labs Xfi Xtreme Gamer - Logitech 5.1 surround sound
Sennheiser RS140 wireless headphones.
1 x 1tb WD Caviar Black SATA drive. (C - 250gb)(E - 675gb)
1 x Lightscribe DVD burner.
1 x 250gb Maxtor SATA
2 x 350gb WD SATA
1 x WD MyBook 500gb external drive
Razer Copperhead gaming mouse
Old, but comfortable, Logitech keyboard
Windows XP Pro, SP3, all patches. Legal.
Zone Alarm, free version.
Eset Nod32 anti virus.
Webroot spysweeper.


Try booting in a "Clean Boot" mode (see link below)
Then see if you can edit the HOSTS file

While your at it uninstall that 2004 version of Zone Alarm.
It's too old to be of much value and download the
latest freeware version.

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
 
M

Malke

Mike said:
Hi all.

I want to make an addition to my hosts file, however something is not
letting me save it. So I want to boot into safe mode to try it there.

F8 = safe mode, yes? No, not for me. It gives me a list of drives to
boot from, not boot options. So can anyone give me some ideas to
follow?

My PC specs in signature. Google hasn't helped, only to say a 2004
version of ZA was causing problems. (I've triedbooting without ZA.)
Any ideas please?

You may be hitting the F8 key too soon. Or you can try F5. Or in Regular
Mode:

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

The System Configuration Utility starts. On the BOOT.INI tab put a checkmark
next to /SAFEBOOT, Apply/OK out. The system will reboot into Safe Mode. When
you are ready to go back to Regular Mode, run msconfig again and remove the
checkmark.

When you restart, you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just
tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Malke
 
J

Jose

Hi all.

I want to make an addition to my hosts file, however something is not
letting me save it. So I want to boot into safe mode to try it there.

F8 = safe mode, yes? No, not for me. It gives me a list of drives to
boot from, not boot options. So can anyone give me some ideas to
follow?

My PC specs in signature. Google hasn't helped, only to say a 2004
version of ZA was causing problems. (I've triedbooting without ZA.)
Any ideas please?

--
Mike Barnard, Worthing, UK.

Homebuild gaming PC:
Tsunami Dream case & Thermaltake 750w PSU.
ASUS P5B-E mobo (1807 bios) / Intel Core2 [email protected] / 4 gig DDR2 ram
Nvidea GTX260 graphics.
Creative Labs Xfi Xtreme Gamer - Logitech 5.1 surround sound
Sennheiser RS140 wireless headphones.
1 x 1tb WD Caviar Black SATA drive. (C - 250gb)(E - 675gb)
1 x Lightscribe DVD burner.
1 x 250gb Maxtor SATA
2 x 350gb WD SATA
1 x WD MyBook 500gb external drive
Razer Copperhead gaming mouse
Old, but comfortable, Logitech keyboard
Windows XP Pro, SP3, all patches. Legal.
Zone Alarm, free version.
Eset Nod32 anti virus.
Webroot spysweeper.

You should be able to boot in Safe Mode, but it will not help you
saving changes to your hosts file.

The hosts file is normally read only so malicious software has a
harder time changing it.

It would be curious to know why you think you need to edit the hosts
file. There are good reasons to edit the file, but some people think
that is the place to start to fix some problem and it is usually close
to the last place to start. Why are you starting there? There may be
better methods for your issue that do not require you to start
changing file permissions.

If you are compelled to change the hosts file by hand, make a copy
first, change the properties to remove the Read-only attribute, make
your change, apply the Read-only attribute, test.

There is malicious software that if you change the boot.ini
configuration using MSCONFIG to add the /SAFEBOOT option, you will
never be able to boot in regular or Safe Mode again, so make those
changes with caution and be prepared to fix it in case you have this
malicious code and find yourself unable to boot.

It would make more sense to figure out why F8 does not work and fix
that instead of tampering with the boot.ini file. F8 is there so you
can boot into Safe Mode and not have to edit any files. If F8 does
not work, you have a problem that needs to be fixed.

There should be no need to use MSCONFIG or a "clean boot" to do what
you think you need to do. F8 should work. Do not work around the
problem - fix the problem.

Sounds like you are not tapping F8 repeatedly during the boot process
or maybe too late. If you miss the F8 window of opportunity, you have
to start over.
 
M

Mike Barnard

Try booting in a "Clean Boot" mode (see link below)
Then see if you can edit the HOSTS file

I'll look, thanks.
While your at it uninstall that 2004 version of Zone Alarm.
It's too old to be of much value and download the
latest freeware version.

I have the latest, thanks. The google links were discussing a 2004
issue.
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Thanks.
 
M

Mike Barnard

Mike said:
Hi all.

I want to make an addition to my hosts file, however something is not
letting me save it. So I want to boot into safe mode to try it there.

F8 = safe mode, yes? No, not for me. It gives me a list of drives to
boot from, not boot options. So can anyone give me some ideas to
follow?

My PC specs in signature. Google hasn't helped, only to say a 2004
version of ZA was causing problems. (I've triedbooting without ZA.)
Any ideas please?

You may be hitting the F8 key too soon. Or you can try F5. Or in Regular
Mode:

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

The System Configuration Utility starts. On the BOOT.INI tab put a checkmark
next to /SAFEBOOT, Apply/OK out. The system will reboot into Safe Mode. When
you are ready to go back to Regular Mode, run msconfig again and remove the
checkmark.

When you restart, you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just
tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Malke

This sounds too simple to be true, but I'll give it a go. Thanks.
 
M

Mike Barnard

You should be able to boot in Safe Mode, but it will not help you
saving changes to your hosts file.
The hosts file is normally read only so malicious software has a
harder time changing it.

Well, my hosts file is not showing as read only in the properties
window. It must be editable somehow, by the 'proper' authoroties, so
what are they?
It would be curious to know why you think you need to edit the hosts
file. There are good reasons to edit the file, but some people think

Nosey, nosey! :) I just want to add an entry, that's all. It's not a
bodge, fix of kludge.
that is the place to start to fix some problem and it is usually close
to the last place to start. Why are you starting there? There may be
better methods for your issue that do not require you to start
changing file permissions.

How else to get into Hosts?
If you are compelled to change the hosts file by hand, make a copy
first, change the properties to remove the Read-only attribute, make
your change, apply the Read-only attribute, test.

There's only one entry in it, 127.0.0.1 for webhost. Not a lot to
lose, but of course I'll back it up.
There is malicious software that if you change the boot.ini
configuration using MSCONFIG to add the /SAFEBOOT option, you will
never be able to boot in regular or Safe Mode again, so make those
changes with caution and be prepared to fix it in case you have this
malicious code and find yourself unable to boot.

Caution is always good, but eventually we have to be able to DO
somethings with our lives, and PC's!
It would make more sense to figure out why F8 does not work and fix
that instead of tampering with the boot.ini file. F8 is there so you
can boot into Safe Mode and not have to edit any files. If F8 does
not work, you have a problem that needs to be fixed.

It does what the BIOS makers intend. It selects a drive to boot from.
There should be no need to use MSCONFIG or a "clean boot" to do what
you think you need to do. F8 should work. Do not work around the
problem - fix the problem.

That's why I'm asking here. Got a spanner that fits rather than
general comments?
Sounds like you are not tapping F8 repeatedly during the boot process
or maybe too late. If you miss the F8 window of opportunity, you have
to start over.

One thing I can do, and that's press F8. I've done it once or twice in
my time on this globe.

Thanks for your time.
 
M

Malke

BTW, many security programs will protect the hosts file from being changed.
You probably have one of these third-party programs installed. Examples are
Spybot Search & Destroy's TeaTimer, Ad-aware, some McAfee and Norton suites,
etc.

Malke
 
T

Twayne

Mike Barnard said:
Well, my hosts file is not showing as read only in the properties
window. It must be editable somehow, by the 'proper' authoroties, so
what are they?


Nosey, nosey! :) I just want to add an entry, that's all. It's not a
bodge, fix of kludge.


How else to get into Hosts?


There's only one entry in it, 127.0.0.1 for webhost. Not a lot to
lose, but of course I'll back it up.


Caution is always good, but eventually we have to be able to DO
somethings with our lives, and PC's!


It does what the BIOS makers intend. It selects a drive to boot from.


That's why I'm asking here. Got a spanner that fits rather than
general comments?


One thing I can do, and that's press F8. I've done it once or twice in
my time on this globe.

Thanks for your time.

I just wanted to give jose's post a vote of confidence because I think
he's had the clearest picture of your issue so far.
-- There is a problem of some sort that requires attention so you CAN
get into Safe Mode. Other posts are leading you away from that issue
and offering bandaids and work-arounds, which isn't necessarily
addressing the actual problem that exists. I'm glad you recognize that.

-- I also have to wonder if you're really pressing the F8 key
repeatedly and at the right times during the boot process. On a
Satertup or Restart: Right as the POST ends, begin tapping F8 at a rate
of about every half to one second. Keep pressing it at that rate until
either you drop into safe mode, or windows regular mode starts to load.
If you get a message that there's no mouse or keyboard, you started
tapping F8 too soon as in early in the POST; wait a bit longer next
time.
If windows regular mode loads, try again; you missed the window of
opportunity. Increase how quickly you tap F8 maybe at the same time.

-- Most of the HOSTS file monitoring programs I've seen, as mentioned
in this thread, do prevent changes but they also throw up a message box
saying a change is about to be done to the HOSTS file and do you want to
allow or deny it?

-- Your HOSTS file is OK as you described it. That's the default entry
placed there by XP. As long as each line is formatted properly, the
HOSTS file is an excellent way to insure you won't access, or be
accessed by, the entries in the file that get redirected to 127.0.0.1
(your own computer).

-- Just for grins, try powering down your computer and pull the plug
right from the wall and leave it that way for more than 30 Seconds.
That will pretty much guarantee that there isn't anything left in RAM
that could bother accessing the HOSTS file. Then replug and try tapping
F8 again. It might make a difference.

FWIW, which might not be a lot, I've never experienced a PC with XP that
wouldn't go into the screen for Safe Mode selection. I've had a couple
that had little loaded in the way of apps and with a short window of
time, making it harder to get the timing right, but they've always
worked after a try or two at tapping the F8 key repeatedly.
You said you've used Safe Mode once or twice, so you know at least
that the PC is capable of it.
It's not windows or software preventing the access to Safe Mode
because nothing is yet loaded for windows at the point you're pressing
F8 to get to the screen with all the choices available, one of which is
Safe Mode. You don't go directly to Safe MOde: You go to a black screen
with white type and a menu of several different possible boot options,
one of which is the Safe Mode you want.

If you feel I've talked down to you or improperly judged your level of
expertise, please forgive it; I jsut wanted to cover all the bases at
the same time and hoped something somewhere would be the tip you need.

HTH,

Twayne`
 
M

Mike Barnard

BTW, many security programs will protect the hosts file from being changed.
You probably have one of these third-party programs installed. Examples are
Spybot Search & Destroy's TeaTimer, Ad-aware, some McAfee and Norton suites,
etc.

Malke

As seen in my sig, only those three, but again thanks.
 
M

Mike Barnard

OK, I have now booted in safe mode, made the change I wanted, and
saved the file. Hoorah. F5 did it for me, although it wasn't listed a
an option at boot up.

See above. F8 in ASUS gives me select the boot drive, not a loaded
windows session. If I had said I was in Windows, then maybe I missed
the key, but it offered a drive to boot from which means an OS isn't
loaded yet.

The problem is ASUS going away from the commonly accepted use of F8.
Shall I re-write the code?
Thanks for your time.

I just wanted to give jose's post a vote of confidence because I think
he's had the clearest picture of your issue so far.

Er, no. He's saying I'm missing the F8. I'm not.
-- There is a problem of some sort that requires attention so you CAN
get into Safe Mode. Other posts are leading you away from that issue
and offering bandaids and work-arounds, which isn't necessarily
addressing the actual problem that exists. I'm glad you recognize that.


-- I also have to wonder if you're really pressing the F8 key
repeatedly and at the right times during the boot process. On a

ARGGGH!. I KNOW when I'm in F8!
If you feel I've talked down to you or improperly judged your level of
expertise, please forgive it; I jsut wanted to cover all the bases at
the same time and hoped something somewhere would be the tip you need.

Heh, I have no expertise, not to press a button. Anyway, lets see if
my new hosts file does what I want.
 
J

Jose

As seen in my sig, only those three, but again thanks.

What Malke said. I did some reading.

According to ZA there is sometimes "a problem" with the hosts file
where you will get an access denied message even though the file is
not Read-only. They advise you what to do. Depending on how you
boot, sounds like ZA is not even running so you can then save your
changes. That is a method. It is best practice to keep the hosts
file Read-only, it is that way for a reason.

I think there is still confusion about the F keys, or the information
is being presented in a confusing manner. I think with all the
noggins in this group, we know a thing or two about Safe Mode too.

But your issue of making a change to your hosts file is apparently
resolved.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
 
T

Twayne

Mike, this seems to be a prime example of how a person can create their
own problems and fail to help others to help them.
If it was clearly known you had an ASUS, you would have had your
answer much quicker, I'm certain. If you ever mentioned it was an ASUS,
I completely missed it somehow. It took about ten seconds on Google to
find the information you needed. Or, the mfr's website also have the
information for the various motherboards, which is what Google gave me
in addition to a few other hits. ASUS seems to change what that key is
at every change in wind direction<g>.
Whenever someone snips out your machine descrips, you should try to
remember to put them back each time. Most people, myself included will
not re-structure an entire thread just to see if the model/brand etc was
ever mentioned.
Someone around here puts their descrip in their sig line, which isn't
bad, but it's also not something I'd think to go looking in for what
their machine was unless the sig also explicitly said the mail was
written on that machine or something in the body directed me to it.
The big thing is to remember to help others to help you.

I am glad it's settled out. Good luck,

Twayne`
 
K

kim

Mike, mines the same.... when you get the "select device to boot from" menu
after tapping F8, select C: then imediatly press F8 again and it will give
you the safe mode menu.
 
M

Mike Barnard

Mike, mines the same.... when you get the "select device to boot from" menu
after tapping F8, select C: then imediatly press F8 again and it will give
you the safe mode menu.

Hi Kim.

Thanks for that. Obvious really, I don't know why I didn't think of
it.
 

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