XP Setup cannot continue in safemode

[Scot]

I was attempting to repair an XP Home installation using
the reinstallation disks after fixing some issues while in
safemode. Under the setup screen I chose the first option
to install XP, not the second one that is the Recovery
Console (because the Administrator password doesn't
work...no idea why).

So on the second setup screen I chose to repair the
current XP installation, not to install a new full
installation. The setup part went fine until it tried to
start XP to finish and when it does it is still in
safemode. This causes an error - "Setup cannot continue
in safemode. Setup will now reboot." Well, the problem
with this is it gets stuck in a loop of doing this over
and over because it doesn't reset it to normal mode and
everything I've tried to get it back into normal mode has
not worked. F8 Advanced Options will not change it. Last
good config and Recovery modes don't have an effect. I
can't get to any files to modify them because even if I
can get to command prompt (which is almost impossible) I
can't access any of the files. I even tried creating a
new boot.ini file but that had no effect.

If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it. TIA

 

[north herts pc rescue]

I had the same problem and solved it by slaving the drive
in another PC, and editing the "boot.ini" file. Change it
from being read-only.
Find the line that reads "/fastdetect /safeboot:minimal"
or similar, and remove the "safeboot:minimal" bit.
Save the file, set it to read only again. Reinstall it
into the original PC.
Setup can now continue properly!
Good luck!

Lee