PC boots up by itself, Cannot start in Safe Mode

I think it is advisable to be able to access Safe Mode as it can provide ways to fix errors/crashes. Without it a reinstall and loss of your data will be far more likely.

If you can clear up the problem with NAV and Safe Mode is available with F8 again, then you could delete the line you added to the boot file. You will not have to chose between Safe or Normal Mode then.

Elaine

Hi,
Work's been crazy (my work pc crashed and all data lost) so my silence.

Anyway, the great news is that the computer has stopped booting up by itself (from shutdown state) for the 2nd morning in a row.

I'll try adding the lines to see if start up in Safe Mode is available. As it is when I hit the F8 or F5 keys at start up, I'm brought to a selection to start in Normal Mode, Safe Mode etc. and when I choose Safe Mode the reboot gets interrupted midway and the error message says that the startup in Safe Mode was interrupted because of some hardware/software changes...

regards - I'll post again after adding the lines to see if it helps

worth to look at as well for the BIOS_

Quote:

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- Restore on AC/Power loss --> Last State

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I would set this to OFF.. have seen systems startup after a power glitch with this set to on..note not a complete black or brown out but a .2 sec or less outage or drop.. even mains noise.. motors starting/shutting down will do this..

I would recommend that it is safer to disconnect the mains when the pc is off.. some systems (with monitor in standby) will consume about 10W while in the off (standby) state.

in a situation like this where the PC won't boot onto safemode I will use a remote scann tool.. either plug the HDD into a clean system and scann with a fully updated Anti Virus (ide-USB adaptors are wonderful tools) or by useing a Pe-Build OS disk with stinger and McAfee AV .. both helpful..

Quote:

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why do you want to access safe mode?

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If you can't enter safemode, you have a possable malware problem.. that is why you will bother with fixing the problem first.. it is also how you can change bad setting that stop your system from booting in normal mode.. also deletion of some temp and TIF files are easiest in safemode

seems a lot of forum members (not exclusive to VDr) have dismissed safe mode as a legacy of the past and some members now (few viciously) defend Not useing safemode in the diagnosis and repair of a PC.. as well will defend the keeping System Restore enabled during parasite and Virus Removal..

Hi guys,
I'm back - finally had the chance to change the boot.ini settings. I have this additional text for [operating systems] at the end /NoExecute=OptIn

Removing that and not did not make a difference. And this after i added the line for the PC to boot wint Safe Mode with Networking.

What happens after I hit the function keys, is that I have the option to start in the Safe Mode but as the PC reboots, it gets interrupted and I get a message saying that " We apologize but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this..."

Any ideas what to try next?

Wondering how I can use a remote scan tool - by connecting a laptop to the hard disk and running a virus scan from the laptop?

Looking forward to your suggestions as to how to fix this problem.

Thanks

Hi again,
Went through the Event Viewer to see if there is any errors with regards to starting in the Safe Mode and found this:

Source: DCOM
Category: None
Type: Error
Event ID: 10005
Description: DCOM got error "This service cannot be started in Safe Mode" attempting to start the service EventSystem with arguments "" in order to run the server: {1BE1F766-5536-11D1-B726-00C04FB926AF}

Does this mean anything?

No that message is just telling you that a service couldn'r run under Safe Mode, it's normal, and nothing to worry about. The Noexecute=optin is a switch added by SP2, there was no need to delete it, but it won't have any effect on this problem either way.

I really thing the only option left now is an over-the-top reinstall. Boot up with the XP CD in the drive and let Setup run. Go past the "C" and "R" repair options by presssing Enter just as if you're doing a clean install and you'll eventually get an option to "Repair an existing installation". That's the one you want. If it asks about formatting you've gone wrong, so start over.

You'll get to keep your existing apps & settings, but you need to re-install SP2, Windows Updates & any unsigned drivers afterwards. NOTE: Be aware that you'll lose any protection from Blaster / Sasser type worms. Don't go online without a firewall, whether the built in Windows one or 3rd party.

How to perform a re-install of WinXP

Repair XP


NOTE: There is always an element of risk, so make sure that you have any important data that you cannot afford to lose backed up first.

Hi Supersparks,
Thanks for your reply. My hard disk is split into 2 drives (C: for programs and D: for data). Does this reinstalling of Windows XP equate the formating of my C:?

When this similar problem occured, we brought our PC down to the shop and the guys there did a reformat of the C: (not too long ago - end January this year).

It took only 2 weeks for this same problem to recur. I'm wondering what the cause possibly is.

Do you think it's software or hardware related?
There's not much on my PC, just:
1) Norton Internet Securities 2005
2) Spybot S&D
3) AdAware
4) Logitech basic camera
5) Regular bottom of the range Creative speakers
6) Software for Nikon camera
7) Software for Canon 905D printer
8) Software for Canon scanner
9) Software for Logitech MX DUO keyboard and mouse
10) Adobe Photoshop
11) Microsoft Office 2003
12) Adobe Acrobat and WinZip

Thanks