Safe Mode Issue

[rlastar]

Purchased a Dell Vostro Windows XP3 desktop a few months ago.
About a month or so ago, I wanted to boot up in safe mode, but couldn't
always get there.
At least 50% of the time I can't get the safe mode screen to pop up
correctly. Instead of the normal safe mode screen, all that shows is Windows
Vista on the screen and Windows Vista isn't my OS. I can only hit the enter
key and Windows XP load in the normal mode.

While needing to go into safe mode is rare, I'd like to fix this issue. Any
help is appreciated.

 

[Mark Adams]

Purchased a Dell Vostro Windows XP3 desktop a few months ago.
About a month or so ago, I wanted to boot up in safe mode, but couldn't
always get there.
At least 50% of the time I can't get the safe mode screen to pop up
correctly. Instead of the normal safe mode screen, all that shows is Windows
Vista on the screen and Windows Vista isn't my OS. I can only hit the enter
key and Windows XP load in the normal mode.

While needing to go into safe mode is rare, I'd like to fix this issue. Any
help is appreciated.

If you purchased this machine new, this sounds like a warranty problem. Make
sure you save your data and make an image of it to an external drive before
you send it in for repair. Dell is likely to reimage the hard drive and
everything on it will be wiped.

 

[rlastar]

Dell says software is not a warranty issue.

If you purchased this machine new, this sounds like a warranty problem. Make
sure you save your data and make an image of it to an external drive before
you send it in for repair. Dell is likely to reimage the hard drive and
everything on it will be wiped.

 

[Billns]

Dell says software is not a warranty issue.

If not a warranty issue, still Dell should be able to assist you in
resolving the problem.

You could call me an optimist here...

Bill

 

[Anonamoose]

I presume this was labeled a used or off-lease computer or you have been
swindled by Dell as there is no way a hard drive that has not been
previously loaded with Vista could ever show anything related to Vista. A
computer sold as new cannot have a used hard drive: there is no wiggle room.
If you cannot get to safe mode in your XP installation and are seeing a
remnant of a former Vista install your XP setup is seriously faulty/hosed
and the most expedient thing to do is reformat/reinstall. I would use a
program like Magic Jelly Beans to get the XP installation key from the
registry first. as well as make the usual back-ups.
Vista and XP use different boot loaders and if XP is your only OS it appears
that the XP installation did not completely wipe out a prior Vista install.
The sooner you bite the bullet the less painful it will be. Microsoft OSes
being what they are, including Win7, sooner or later you will absolutely
need to get to safe mode.

 

[Twayne]

In

Dell says software is not a warranty issue.

No, but if the HW can't work right, THAT is! You're probably tapping the F8
key too slowly or at the wrong time, actually. You see, when no details are
provided, it's necessary to guess at what is likely wrong. So I guessed you
are operating it incorrectly. Read up on how to enter Safe Mode. Or modify
boot.ini so you can instead just boot straight into it.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Mark Adams]

Dell says software is not a warranty issue.

What "Anonamoose" said was my point. There should not be ANY reference to
Vista on a new computer shipped with XP. If Dell screwed up the XP install
somehow, then they should fix it---- under warranty. Which brings up another
question. Did you or anybody else try to install Vista on this machine and
then reinstalled XP? If so, all bets are off with Dell.

 

[Daave]

Purchased a Dell Vostro Windows XP3 desktop a few months ago.
About a month or so ago, I wanted to boot up in safe mode, but
couldn't always get there.
At least 50% of the time I can't get the safe mode screen to pop up
correctly. Instead of the normal safe mode screen, all that shows is
Windows Vista on the screen and Windows Vista isn't my OS. I can
only hit the enter key and Windows XP load in the normal mode.

While needing to go into safe mode is rare, I'd like to fix this
issue. Any help is appreciated.

Who did you purchase this PC from?

The reason I ask is I noticed the same exact thing with my colleague's
Dell notebook. Our company (HQ are located in another state) had
purchased it from Dell but immediately put an image on the hard drive of
the XP Pro system and specific programs those in her department use.
I'll bet when the original image was made, it was from a Dell PC that
once had had Vista installed.

You should probably perform a Clean Install.

Otherwise, you might find this thread helpful:

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...hread/ab0a8837d4bbf578/1e22c2d4a98e9364?hl=en

 

[Doum]

I presume this was labeled a used or off-lease computer or you have
been swindled by Dell as there is no way a hard drive that has not
been previously loaded with Vista could ever show anything related to
Vista. A computer sold as new cannot have a used hard drive: there is
no wiggle room. If you cannot get to safe mode in your XP installation
and are seeing a remnant of a former Vista install your XP setup is
seriously faulty/hosed and the most expedient thing to do is
reformat/reinstall. I would use a program like Magic Jelly Beans to
get the XP installation key from the registry first. as well as make
the usual back-ups. Vista and XP use different boot loaders and if XP
is your only OS it appears that the XP installation did not completely
wipe out a prior Vista install. The sooner you bite the bullet the
less painful it will be. Microsoft OSes being what they are, including
Win7, sooner or later you will absolutely need to get to safe mode.

If the CD key revealed by Magic Jelly Bean is the Dell volume key for image
purpose, it shouldn't be used on a new install, the OP should use the key
on the sticker applied on the case if he reinstall using a generic OEM XP
cd matching the type (Home or Pro) and language. If he reinstalls using a
"Factory restore" disk or partition, he shouldn't need a key.

But as mention by others, there shouldn't be Vista traces if the machine
was bought new and there was no attempt to install Vista, it must be
resolved by Dell.

 

[LVTravel]

If the CD key revealed by Magic Jelly Bean is the Dell volume key for
image
purpose, it shouldn't be used on a new install, the OP should use the key
on the sticker applied on the case if he reinstall using a generic OEM XP
cd matching the type (Home or Pro) and language. If he reinstalls using a
"Factory restore" disk or partition, he shouldn't need a key.

But as mention by others, there shouldn't be Vista traces if the machine
was bought new and there was no attempt to install Vista, it must be
resolved by Dell.

I am wondering if this machine was one that was shipped with XP Pro on it as
a "downgrade" from Vista. I have an HP laptop that this was the way I
purchased it. If I hit the wrong key on boot-up the drive restore program
attempts to start and this has Vista on it. When you purchase the machine
with downgrade the Vista restore is generally installed and they only
overwrite the system partition with the XP image. I am also wondering if
the OP is pressing the F8 key for safe mode or hitting another key which is
attempting to start the system restore.