Repair Safe Mode feature

[gbhall]

If it was a driver problem causing the safe mode issue, wouldn't it be showing some other symptoms?

Not exactly Kathy - remember the purpose of Safe mode is to run Windows without specific windows drivers loaded - in other words, using default basic drivers for video, HDD access and so on. This seems to me to show that your HDD works ok when the correct drivers are active but does not work when default, basic drivers are used - which is at safe mode and in ubcd4win. That could be serious, because as far as I remember, some parts of SP3 upgrade need to run in safe mode, and so do many important malware checks.

Hence I recommend you look especially at bios and motherboard drivers.

If you are still interested, you could download an absolutely bog-standard OS like bartPE (often comes with freeware partition managers and similar), or FreeDos. If after booting from a CD made in that way, you are told HDD not found, then that is proof enough for me. In fact, it could be worth making an easius CD http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm just to learn what it thinks about your HDD.....

 

[KathyJ]

Not exactly Kathy - remember the purpose of Safe mode is to run Windows without specific windows drivers loaded - in other words, using default basic drivers for video, HDD access and so on. This seems to me to show that your HDD works ok when the correct drivers are active but does not work when default, basic drivers are used - which is at safe mode and in ubcd4win. That could be serious, because as far as I remember, some parts of SP3 upgrade need to run in safe mode, and so do many important malware checks.

Hence I recommend you look especially at bios and motherboard drivers.

If you are still interested, you could download an absolutely bog-standard OS like bartPE (often comes with freeware partition managers and similar), or FreeDos. If after booting from a CD made in that way, you are told HDD not found, then that is proof enough for me. In fact, it could be worth making an easius CD http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm just to learn what it thinks about your HDD.....

A cd made from Bart PE didn't recognize my hard drive either. I will just go ahead with the process Microsoft recommends before doing the repair installation and be done with it. I appreciate all of your time and support. I hope I haven't made a nuisance of myself. As you can probably tell by now, I don't give up easily. Thanks again for everything.

 

[BillAllen55]

How to access Safe Mode

If you will go to your start button to run and type MSCONFIG there is an option under the boot.ini tab that allows one to restart the system in safe mode. If you will check the box that reads /safeboot this will re-start the machine automatically in safe mode. After doing the repair you will then need to return to this area to change the choice back to a normal restart.

Click here for more computer tips=>Sandys Computer Repair

 

[KathyJ]

If you will go to your start button to run and type MSCONFIG there is an option under the boot.ini tab that allows one to restart the system in safe mode. If you will check the box that reads /safeboot this will re-start the machine automatically in safe mode. After doing the repair you will then need to return to this area to change the choice back to a normal restart.

Click here for more computer tips=>Sandys Computer Repair

Now that worked. That's strange that it will work this way but not with the F8 way. Thanks for the info.

 

[BillAllen55]

Good Job getting Safe Mode going! 1 question?

Good job getting your safe mode up and running!

After reading all of the posts on this, I'm not at all clear why you wanted to get your safe mode going? What issues are you having that you need to go to Safe Mode?

What have you tried since getting into Safe Mode? Keyboards are notorious for giving out exactly at the Wrong moment.

Have you tried getting into safe mode with an alternate keyboard? That would be what I would try if you don't like going to the Msconfig console to change the boot.ini tab.

Anyhow glad you got the Safe Mode going and will be happy to assist you with any other computer issues.

Come visit me HERE for more computer answers!

 

[KathyJ]

Good job getting your safe mode up and running!

After reading all of the posts on this, I'm not at all clear why you wanted to get your safe mode going? What issues are you having that you need to go to Safe Mode?

What have you tried since getting into Safe Mode? Keyboards are notorious for giving out exactly at the Wrong moment.

Have you tried getting into safe mode with an alternate keyboard? That would be what I would try if you don't like going to the Msconfig console to change the boot.ini tab.

Anyhow glad you got the Safe Mode going and will be happy to assist you with any other computer issues.

Come visit me HERE for more computer answers!

Oh, I don't mind getting to safe mode that way BUT there has been times in the past when my computer would not boot in anything BUT safe mode and that was the only way I could repair it WITHOUT formatting and starting over. YUCK! That is the last thing I want to do anytime. If I knew I could get to the msconfig when I needed it, I wouldn't give it another thought. I discovered it wasn't working by hitting the F8 key because I was trying to delete a file and it wouldn't let me. So, as I've done in the past, I was going to safe mode to delete it but it wouldn't. I just thought I had better get it repaired so it would boot it with the F8 key. I was afraid if I didn't do it now, I would try to crank it up one morning and it wouldn't boot normally and I would be needing the safe mode feature and I couldn't get it. This has happened in the past and safe mode has saved it. Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try the keyboard swap.

 

[BillAllen55]

That clears up that question.

I've seen on some keyboards a 'function key lock' that will disable the function keys from working correctly. Often this 'lock key' will be next to the function keys. Directly to the left of the function keys ie. (F8). Let me know how it goes with the alternate keyboard. Interesting you are having issues deleting files.

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[KathyJ]

I've seen on some keyboards a 'function key lock' that will disable the function keys from working correctly. Often this 'lock key' will be next to the function keys. Directly to the left of the function keys ie. (F8). Let me know how it goes with the alternate keyboard. Interesting you are having issues deleting files.

Visit Me HERE

Sorry I'm so delayed in doing this and getting back to you. Well, another keyboard worked as it should. Safe mode booted beautifully with the F8 key then. So, I changed the batteries in my keyboard, reset it, checked the connections but the F8 key still doesn't work. Other function keys are working. Does this mean my F8 key is worn out?
Thanks for you time.

 

[thomja]

ok im abit lazy when it comes to reading but i think that what you want to do is to get the comp to boot in safe mode... try some other keys my comp doesnt show me how i go into safe mode ill just restart it untill it says that it didnt shutdown safely the last time and ask me if i want to go in safe mode( sorry for bad english im tired) xD

 

[KathyJ]

I have found it isn't my keyboard that is causing the problem. I shut my computer down during startup trying to make it boot into safe mode automatically. Finally that worked and I was able to get the menu where I can choose to boot in safe mode, etc. But, the keyboard does not respond. I hit the keys trying to move up, down or anywhere and it's like it is dead and so is my mouse. I can not choose anything and it continues to load normally. I have connected my husband's wired keyboard to it and it works like it's suppose to. Does Service pack 2 not support wireless keyboards until Windows is loaded?

 

[mailpup]

It is the BIOS that does not support wireless keyboards. It lacks the driver to make it work. You may recall you had to install a driver for Windows but as you surmised, it won't work until Windows loads. When you load Windows in Safe Mode, that driver doesn't load so your wireless keyboard won't work under those conditions. Windows basic generic keyboard driver does load and that's what drives your old wired keyboard.

 

[BillAllen55]

Sounds as if the wireless keyboard issue is solved

Kathy, I agree with mailpup, I don't believe there is an issue with your wireless keyboard. I believe your issue is BIOS related. With the idea that you in fact can boot into safe mode using the described process, sounds to me you are good to go. I believe your wireless keyboard is working as intended.
Click Here to visit my Computer Repair Site

 

[KathyJ]

One last question and then I'll leave you alone. I've had this computer for several years and it came with this wireless keyboard. Why have I been able to access Safe Mode by hitting F8 all of those years and now it has suddenly stopped and I can't use my keyboard unless Windows is loaded. I have changed the batteries and hit reset on the receiver but it doesn't make any difference. I have had too many times over the years when Windows would not load in a normal way and I would have to hit F8 and boot in Safe Mode to make repairs, etc. and it would work with this wireless keyboard then so why not now? I prefer to keep it working because one day, I will need it again. I downloaded the bios update for this computer today and installed it but it didn't help a bit. Can anyone explain this?

 

[gbhall]

I think the reason the keyboard worked is that it is presumably one that will work with XPSP2 !

There are types that have a remote connection that plugs into a standard PS/2 port, and so as far as the PC (and bios) is concerned, they are just a PS/2 keyboard and mouse. They are agnostic to the OS in short.

Others are connected via a USB connector, and amongst the many people who have USB keyboards (not wireless), you will find significant number of such people discover a need to use a PS/2 connected keyboard when installing an OS from a CD. This is speculation, but I think USB keyboards do not universally agree with bios specifications, (or maybe the bios setting is wrong).

In any event, a USB connected wireless device is dependant on the OS to interpret the signals, in a way that a PS/2 device is not. That is why it is a documented fact that certain Microsoft Wireless keyboards will not work on XP SP1.

Consequently (speculation again really), the USB software in XP is in a constant state of flux, receives updates outside of service packs, is easily adversly affected by other devices on USB ports, and can indeed have it's operations completely ruined by a badly-written third-party USB driver.

Your experience will probably reflect the type of plug-in the wireless receiver has, and that USB is likely to be less reliable than another type. If you have USB, suspect the driver, other USB device drivers, the power drain on USB ports, anything is possible.

If you have a PS/2 connection type, then I suggest the device is no longer working optimally, as must be expected with age. Even mechanical keyboards stop working - have you ever turned a keyboard upside-down and tapped it firmly? An entire luncheon usually falls out !!!

There are hoary stories on the internet that a quick wash in a dishwasher can be good if you leave a few days to dry (mechanical types only please).

 

[KathyJ]

I purchased a new keyboard yesterday and it works as it is should. My old one was a USB wireless and this one is a USB corded. I thought about getting a PS2 type but from what I understand, the new computers today do not have this type of port in them and with the usb2 type, I can use it with another computer if I need to later on. I connected my old keyboard again, and sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't but it NEVER would recognize the signal when I "hit key to boot from cd" although this new one does every time. It sounds like the old one was on its last keys. Thank you for your time and I appreciate it very much. I apologize if I made a nuisance of myself.

 

[gbhall]

All too often, it is never clear when the applicant goes away without any feedback, whether the correct solution was found or not, which can be quite frustrating.

I am quite happy to thank you for persevering to the eventual solution - and telling us. This is the only reward we get on this site, as you probably know - to get the solution which indirectly can help others and also ourselves too.

Happy computing !

 

[KathyJ]

All too often, it is never clear when the applicant goes away without any feedback, whether the correct solution was found or not, which can be quite frustrating.

I am quite happy to thank you for persevering to the eventual solution - and telling us. This is the only reward we get on this site, as you probably know - to get the solution which indirectly can help others and also ourselves too.

Happy computing !

Glad to do it! I feel just like you about this and Thank you!

 

[CAMusing]

Sadly, saying thanks, I appreciate the help, just isn't in some people's vocabulary.