computer help

[oakfloor]

Well my old fathful 99' dell demension 4300 with XP will only boot up in safe mode, does anyone have ideas were to start on how to fix it? DIY help sites, boot up CD's, online repair advice, etc. Thanks for the help

[Doodad]

Something installed recently? While in safe mode, go into the hardware manager and look for warning signs on any hardware device. Otherwise, use the recovery CD to restore windows.

[oakfloor]

Something installed recently? While in safe mode, go into the hardware manager and look for warning signs on any hardware device. Otherwise, use the recovery CD to restore windows.
O.K. thanks, what would a warning sign look like?

[Platypus]

What happens when you boot to normal mode?

Did you change any software/hardware recently? Update drivers for anything? Think of anything you recently changed.

As Doodad mentioned, fire up the device manager (in XP right click my computer, go to manage, click on device manager) You should see a yellow exclamation or question mark next to a device if there is an issue with it.

[oakfloor]

What happens when you boot to normal mode?

Did you change any software/hardware recently? Update drivers for anything? Think of anything you recently changed.

As Doodad mentioned, fire up the device manager (in XP right click my computer, go to manage, click on device manager) You should see a yellow exclamation or question mark next to a device if there is an issue with it. O.K. its been awhile since I used it so I dont remember whats on it, I just went to start it up and it just goes to the windows screen and the blue bar goes back and forth..and that all it does.

[Structo]

Probably riddled with spyware.

I'm not sure what you can try since it will only go into safe mode.

You can try a restore point but I have never had much luck with restore on WinXP.

If you have an XP install disk you could try a repair install.

[oakfloor]

Probably riddled with spyware.

I'm not sure what you can try since it will only go into safe mode.

You can try a restore point but I have never had much luck with restore on WinXP.

If you have an XP install disk you could try a repair install.
Tried a restore point and no joy..do I just run the XP install disc? any pointers are appreciatied

[Platypus]

Did you check the device manager?

[Rik]

Did you check the device manager?

+1

Might also to a check disk just to make sure files are ok. wont hurt.

Manual steps to run Chkdsk from My Computer or Windows Explorer
1.Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the hard disk that you want to check.2.Click Properties, and then click Tools.3.Under Error-checking, click Check Now. A dialog box that shows the Check disk options is displayed, 4.Use one of the following procedures: •To run Chkdsk in read-only mode, click Start. •To repair errors without scanning the volume for bad sectors, select the Automatically fix file system errors check box, and then click Start. •To repair errors, locate bad sectors, and recover readable information, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start. Note If one or more of the files on the hard disk are open, you will receive the following message: The disk check could not be performed because the disk check utility needs exclusive access to some Windows files on the disk. These files can be accessed by restarting Windows. Do you want to schedule the disk check to occur the next time you restart the computer?
Click Yes to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.

[Suproman77]

Probably riddled with spyware.

Agreed. A good virus/spyware/adware/registry cleaning might solve this problem.

I don't know what you have now, but I'd recommend installing and running these excellent and free programs to do all of the above:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avast_Home_Edition_d1968.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048

If that doesn't work, I would definitely not recommend the Windows repair, but instead reinstalling Windows completely. It's not as easy as it sounds though...you should follow a guide like this one here:

http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/xp-install/

[bkd_guitarist]

Agreed.
If that doesn't work, I would definitely not recommend the Windows repair, but instead reinstalling Windows completely. It's not as easy as it sounds though...you should follow a guide like this one here:

http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/xp-install/

:agree

If you've had the system since 1999 and have not reinstalled Windows in all the time, it's definitely time to do so. Installing/uninstalling programs, spyware, and a host of other issues cause major performance problems over time. I reinstall Windows on my wife and kids' systems every 12-24 months. I do mine less frequently because I'm an absolute Nazi when it comes to what I allow to be installed on the system.

It's a pain, but it's worth it to have machines that perform well. You will be amazed at how fast your system is after a clean reinstall.

[ur86d]

Try running sfc/scan now

Instructions on how to do that:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic43051.html