Unable to Access Safe Mode in XPSP2

[Guest]

I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8 during boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter Safe Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of this, when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not enter msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an image of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to go well but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers scroll through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is normal, or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or indeed the next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to Safe Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no joy with
Safe Mode.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

 

[Guest]

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8 during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter Safe Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to go well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is normal, or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or indeed the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Guest]

Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3 off)/Enable Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to start and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up the screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the inconvenience but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up choices: Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any of the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is caused by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and re-load of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to avoid this.

Regards

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8 during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter Safe Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to go well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is normal, or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or indeed the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Have you tried a repair install (aka install in place)? See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If SP2 is installed this may or may not work. In any case, it is better
than starting over since if it works your files and programs will still be
intact. If it doesn't, then a clean install might be in order.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3 off)/Enable
Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to start and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up the
screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC
doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the inconvenience
but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up choices:
Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any of the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is caused
by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and re-load
of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to avoid
this.

Regards

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8
during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter Safe
Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of
this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an
image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to go
well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is normal,
or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or indeed
the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no
joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Guest]

Hello again Colin

I've gone to the reference you gave and there are two methods there.

1. This appears to be a full re-install of XP from the CD
2. This appears to be a repair of XP from the CD.

It is method 2 that I have now tried twice without success. You presumably
believe that method 1 is also worth trying. If you think it will not work
with SP2 installed, I can always uninstall SP2 first. Worth giving a go, eh?
Anything is worth giving a go if it means avoiding a full clean re-install!

Have you tried a repair install (aka install in place)? See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If SP2 is installed this may or may not work. In any case, it is better
than starting over since if it works your files and programs will still be
intact. If it doesn't, then a clean install might be in order.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3 off)/Enable
Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to start and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up the
screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC
doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the inconvenience
but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up choices:
Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any of the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is caused
by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and re-load
of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to avoid
this.

Regards

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

:

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8
during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter Safe
Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of
this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an
image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to go
well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is normal,
or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or indeed
the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no
joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

A repair install (install in place) reinstalls the OS without wiping out
your programs and files. It is necessary to revisit Windows Update
afterwards.

A clean install would be starting all over, reformatting the hard drive,
wiping out everything. Try the install in place first.

The link is for a repair install.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin

I've gone to the reference you gave and there are two methods there.

1. This appears to be a full re-install of XP from the CD
2. This appears to be a repair of XP from the CD.

It is method 2 that I have now tried twice without success. You presumably
believe that method 1 is also worth trying. If you think it will not work
with SP2 installed, I can always uninstall SP2 first. Worth giving a go,
eh?
Anything is worth giving a go if it means avoiding a full clean
re-install!

Have you tried a repair install (aka install in place)? See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If SP2 is installed this may or may not work. In any case, it is better
than starting over since if it works your files and programs will still
be
intact. If it doesn't, then a clean install might be in order.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3
off)/Enable
Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory
Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS
Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to start
and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up the
screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC
doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another
black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the inconvenience
but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software
change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up choices:
Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any of
the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is
caused
by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and
re-load
of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to avoid
this.

Regards

:

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they
include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

:

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8
during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter
Safe
Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of
this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not
enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an
image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to
go
well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers
scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is
normal,
or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or
indeed
the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to
Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no
joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Guest]

Sorry Colin,

You may have missed the point I'm making. I do understand the difference
between a repair install and a clean install, and believe me I'm trying to
avoid the latter!

Are methods one and two at the reference you've given me the same thing? If
so, and I've already tried method 2 twice now without any success, is there
any benefit in my also trying method 1, or will this merely be trying to
achieve the same thing that already hasn't worked?

A repair install (install in place) reinstalls the OS without wiping out
your programs and files. It is necessary to revisit Windows Update
afterwards.

A clean install would be starting all over, reformatting the hard drive,
wiping out everything. Try the install in place first.

The link is for a repair install.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin

I've gone to the reference you gave and there are two methods there.

1. This appears to be a full re-install of XP from the CD
2. This appears to be a repair of XP from the CD.

It is method 2 that I have now tried twice without success. You presumably
believe that method 1 is also worth trying. If you think it will not work
with SP2 installed, I can always uninstall SP2 first. Worth giving a go,
eh?
Anything is worth giving a go if it means avoiding a full clean
re-install!

Have you tried a repair install (aka install in place)? See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If SP2 is installed this may or may not work. In any case, it is better
than starting over since if it works your files and programs will still
be
intact. If it doesn't, then a clean install might be in order.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3
off)/Enable
Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory
Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS
Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to start
and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up the
screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC
doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another
black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the inconvenience
but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software
change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up choices:
Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any of
the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is
caused
by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and
re-load
of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to avoid
this.

Regards

:

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they
include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

:

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8
during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter
Safe
Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because of
this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not
enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore an
image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed to
go
well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers
scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is
normal,
or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or
indeed
the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access to
Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still no
joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yes. The only difference is that method one starts with Windows already
running. You insert the XP cd and work from the install option on the
splash screen.

The second method is to boot the computer with the xp cd and work from the
text phase of the installer. You ignore the first "R" choice offered but
take the second. The procedures are to the same end.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Sorry Colin,

You may have missed the point I'm making. I do understand the difference
between a repair install and a clean install, and believe me I'm trying to
avoid the latter!

Are methods one and two at the reference you've given me the same thing?
If
so, and I've already tried method 2 twice now without any success, is
there
any benefit in my also trying method 1, or will this merely be trying to
achieve the same thing that already hasn't worked?

A repair install (install in place) reinstalls the OS without wiping out
your programs and files. It is necessary to revisit Windows Update
afterwards.

A clean install would be starting all over, reformatting the hard drive,
wiping out everything. Try the install in place first.

The link is for a repair install.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hello again Colin

I've gone to the reference you gave and there are two methods there.

1. This appears to be a full re-install of XP from the CD
2. This appears to be a repair of XP from the CD.

It is method 2 that I have now tried twice without success. You
presumably
believe that method 1 is also worth trying. If you think it will not
work
with SP2 installed, I can always uninstall SP2 first. Worth giving a
go,
eh?
Anything is worth giving a go if it means avoiding a full clean
re-install!

:

Have you tried a repair install (aka install in place)? See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If SP2 is installed this may or may not work. In any case, it is
better
than starting over since if it works your files and programs will
still
be
intact. If it doesn't, then a clean install might be in order.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
Hello again Colin.

Sorry, I could have been more explicit with my previous reply.

After pressing F8 during start up, the normal list of start up
choices
appears on a black background. The choices are: Safe Mode (3
off)/Enable
Boot
Logging/Enable VGA Mode/Last Known Good Configuration/Directory
Services
Restore Mode/Debugging Mode/Start Normally/Reboot and Return to OS
Choices
Menu.

After selecting Safe Mode and pressing enter, the PC attempts to
start
and
it is during this phase that the list of files/drivers scrolls up
the
screen
and stops at Windows/System32/Drivers/agp440.sys. Eventually the PC
doesn't
start in the selected Safe Mode, nor any other mode. Instead another
black
screen appears with comments to the effect "Sorry for the
inconvenience
but
Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software
change
might have caused this.....".

At the bottom of the screen there are then just five start up
choices:
Safe
Mode (3 off)/Last Known Good Configuration and Normal. Choosing any
of
the
Safe Mode choices again has the same result, so one must select
Normal.

I've made no recent hardware changes; of course one is always making
software changes and therefore it is possible that this problem is
caused
by
a third party software - but, if so, which is the dilemma.

Of course I could embark on a clean re-install of Windows XP and
re-load
of
all third party software and personal data - but I had hoped to
avoid
this.

Regards

:

Hello Colin and thanks for the interest.

These are the usual ones after pressing F8 during start up that
appear
against a black background. I'm trying to remember them, but they
include
'last known good' and 'debug' etc.

Regards

:

What are the startup choices you are referring to?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
I am unable to start in Safe Mode in XPSP2, either by hitting F8
during
boot
up or using msconfig: BOOTINI/SAFEBOOT. Start up will not enter
Safe
Mode,
but simply returns to the start up choices each time. Because
of
this,
when I
tried the msconfig method, the PC kept cycling and I could not
enter
msconfig
again to disable SAFEBOOT. I had to turn off the PC and restore
an
image
of
my hard drive to overcome the start up cycling problem.

I have uninstalled SP2 - still couldn't access Safe Mode.

I then carried out a 'Repair' to XP from original CD - seemed
to
go
well
but
still couldn't access Safe Mode.

Then re-installed SP2 - and still can't access Safe Mode.

Have tried sfc /scannow - no joy.

When I try to enter Safe Mode, a number of files and drivers
scroll
through
on a black screen and the scrolling stops at
windows/system32/drivers/agp440.sys. I don't know if this is
normal,
or
whether there should be more drivers, or whether stopping on
this
particular
driver means that there is a problem with it in particular or
indeed
the
next
one. If so, can this be repaired or replaced?

I have tried a second uninstallation of SP2 - still no access
to
Safe
Mode -
and then a second 'Repair' of XP from the Windows CD, but still
no
joy
with
Safe Mode.

 

[Guest]

Mike,

were you able to fix this? The same thing is happening to me and I cant get
past the black screen. How did you get yours fixed?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Mike,

were you able to fix this? The same thing is happening to me and I
cant get past the black screen. How did you get yours fixed?

:

First,

Mike has "left the building". (that was an old post).

Take a look at this MS Article -- How to troubleshoot Windows by using MSCONFIG
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/310560

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

BTW, does this pc have Nero's InCD 4.3 installed?