Safe mode recovery

Pharaoh · 14-December-05, 02:36 PM

I'v not seen this problem before.

A fellow I work with has a Dell laptop with winXP about 2 years old with an Intel P4 CPU, sorry thats all the info he knew about his own machine.

The problem he describes is it will only boot into safe mode. Thats it. Safe mode only.
He says that trying to boot normal never works.

I'm guessing he bought it secondhand because when asked if he tried to do a format and reinstall
or a repair install he said he does not have the OS disks.

He is not afraid to lose data and said he has a friend at home that would reformat and install for $30.00.
That don't sound too bad but he will not get home to Kentucky until Christmas.

Any sugestions to try and get his lappy working before Christmas will be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

HigHTecHReDNecK · 14-December-05, 03:38 PM

in dont know if its possible in safe mode , but if it is , possibly have him do a system restore to a previous date.

$SOLID$ Necro · 15-December-05, 02:45 AM

Tell him too right click on my computer/properties/hardware/device manager. If there is a hardware or driver problem it will flag it in yellow.

If he can get online, have him try Windows Update, and then have him try PCPITSTOP (Run the full tests)

Pharaoh · 15-December-05, 05:30 AM

So the guy says he has tryed the sys restor but that was unsuccesful.

Thanks NECRO, he did say he can dial in to the web, Ill ask him to try those tips.

PokenHopen · 16-December-05, 11:05 AM

I have seen issues show up and not get flagged by hardware manager, ussually graphics drivers. Sounds like a driver issue or something is getting loaded when the computer starts that is causing the problem.

does it just continuesly reboot till it goes into safe mode? Does it blue screen? Any error codes? Has he checked the Event Viewer for any wierdness?

14-December-05, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pharaoh Apex Tech God Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coming soon to a hotel near you Posts: 2,410	Safe mode recovery I'v not seen this problem before. A fellow I work with has a Dell laptop with winXP about 2 years old with an Intel P4 CPU, sorry thats all the info he knew about his own machine. The problem he describes is it will only boot into safe mode. Thats it. Safe mode only. He says that trying to boot normal never works. I'm guessing he bought it secondhand because when asked if he tried to do a format and reinstall or a repair install he said he does not have the OS disks. He is not afraid to lose data and said he has a friend at home that would reformat and install for $30.00. That don't sound too bad but he will not get home to Kentucky until Christmas. Any sugestions to try and get his lappy working before Christmas will be helpful. Thanks in advance. __________________

14-December-05, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
HigHTecHReDNecK Sophist'Hoe"cated ReDNecK Reviewer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: HALF A BUBBLE OFF PLUMB Posts: 3,500	in dont know if its possible in safe mode , but if it is , possibly have him do a system restore to a previous date. __________________ HIDE NOTHING AND WATCH FOOLS SEARCH FOREVER

15-December-05, 02:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
$SOLID$ Necro Mastah Overclocker Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lima, Ohio Posts: 7,217	Tell him too right click on *my computer/properties/hardware/device manager. If there is a hardware or driver problem it will flag it in yellow. If he can get online, have him try Windows Update, and then have him try PCPITSTOP (Run the full tests) __________________ Join the PC Apex "Overclock and Benchmark" team today!* Click Here! Necro's "Ultimate Links" Collection Click Here!

15-December-05, 05:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pharaoh Apex Tech God Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coming soon to a hotel near you Posts: 2,410	So the guy says he has tryed the sys restor but that was unsuccesful. Thanks NECRO, he did say he can dial in to the web, Ill ask him to try those tips. __________________

16-December-05, 11:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
PokenHopen Apex Techie I Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 66	I have seen issues show up and not get flagged by hardware manager, ussually graphics drivers. Sounds like a driver issue or something is getting loaded when the computer starts that is causing the problem. does it just continuesly reboot till it goes into safe mode? Does it blue screen? Any error codes? Has he checked the Event Viewer for any wierdness? __________________ Remember, I'm Watching You.

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