Windows XP Safe Mode

[Dave]

I was wondering if anyone else is having the same problem as I am. I cannot
start my machine in safe mode. When I try, it goes through the DOS screens as
if it's starting, but then reboots and starts normally. I don't have any
problems running normally, but it will not let me run in safe mode. Any
suggestions?

 

[Chuck]

One of the leading causes -- Malware!
Some malware uses this dodge in an attempt to prevent the user from manually
removing the malware.

 

[Dave]

Chuck,

I have Norton Internet Security 2009 installed, and have run Spyware Doctor,
SpyBot Search and Destroy, and Kaspersky.com's online scanner with no results.

 

[Malke]

I have Norton Internet Security 2009 installed, and have run Spyware
Doctor, SpyBot Search and Destroy, and Kaspersky.com's online scanner with
no results.

Do you have an older version of Nero's InCD (packet-writing) installed? This
can be a cause. If not, please answer:

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: If the problem is new, what changed
between the time things worked and the time they didn't?

Malke

 

[Dave]

Malke,

I do have Nero, but I didn't install the InCD program. Nero versions are:

Nero Burning Rom 6, 6, 0, 17
Nero StartSmart 2, 0, 0, 27
Nero Cover Designer 2, 3, 0, 48
Nero BackItUp Application 1, 2, 0, 56

Nothing has changed that I can think of since the last time I started in
Safe Mode. I use this computer to scan customers hard drives for viruses and
I did recently have a pretty tough time getting all the viruses off another
hard drive, but I haven't had any problems with this computer.

Dave

 

[Malke]

Malke,

I do have Nero, but I didn't install the InCD program. Nero versions are:

Nero Burning Rom 6, 6, 0, 17
Nero StartSmart 2, 0, 0, 27
Nero Cover Designer 2, 3, 0, 48
Nero BackItUp Application 1, 2, 0, 56

Nothing has changed that I can think of since the last time I started in
Safe Mode. I use this computer to scan customers hard drives for viruses
and I did recently have a pretty tough time getting all the viruses off
another hard drive, but I haven't had any problems with this computer.

Scanning an infected drive from a Windows machine carries some risk. If you
are unable to scan from the infected machine itself, it is better to scan
using a Bart's PE with appropriate plugins. You say you have run scans on
the troubled machine for malware, but you might want to do so again.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Otherwise flatten the machine and/or apply your last good image. Since it's
not a production machine spending time messing about with it isn't
efficient. Don't image testbed boxen? Consider doing so in the future.

Malke