Can Only Run In Safe Mode

Hi all,

I've been unable to boot my computer into normal mode. As soon as it loads the windows XP screen and gets to the "welcome" screen, it restarts. Briefly, an error message about hardware appears on a blue screen, but I never get the chance to fully read it.

Everything works fine in safe mode--although, I'm limited in the applications I need to run.

This all seemed to start after unistalling Internet Explorer 8 (as I heard it conflicts with McAfee Security Center), and then trying to reinstal McAfee SC (which had been acting up). I never did manage to reinstal McAfee--my computer would just stop during the download (from Comcast's website), or it would finish and say my computer was not protected.

I've followed some of the steps in the "read this first link" about cleaning off my computer and running some basic malware/spyware programs. I tried to update my Java, but I can't unistall the old versions in Safe mode. And I can't start up into Normal mode long enough to remove the old ones.

So, to the point, I think I'm dealing with a software issue, rather than a malware/spyware/virus issue--I've been very good about scanning my computer and getting rid of residual junk. (The scans came up clean). I think the root lies in something that occurred while uninstalling IE 8 and trying to reinstall McAfee. (Oh, and McAfee's website is not a big help in this regard).

I'm trying to avoid having to wipe and partition my HD (again), so any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you.

 

If your computer is restarting on its own, it probably is set up to restart on system failure.

Bring up your computer in safe mode, and go to...
Start-->Right-click My Computer-->Click Properties-->Click Advanced Tab
-->Under Startup and Recovery click Settings-->then under "System Failure" uncheck "Automatically restart" then click ok.

Now try rebooting your computer into normal mode, and get back with us to see what type of error messages come up.

You also might consider getting rid of McAffee for good, it gives everybody a headache. AVG8.0 is what I use, and its what all the instructors at my college swear by, and its free...

http://majorgeeks.com/AVG_AntiVirus_Free_Edition_d886.html



:major

 

Boot into safe mode and use System Restore to a time before you started messing.

 

To answer studiot first: That's what I had tried initially. Not only did it not work, but now when I try to do a system restore, I just get a blank calendar--as if I never made a restore point. I don't know where they all went--unless they don't show up in safe mode. But I can't get my computer to run long enough to attempt it from normal mode.

I also tried going into MSCONFIG and changing the programs that load when i start up, so that only my antivirus and microsoft programs loaded. After restart, my computer would still automatically restart at the "welcome" screen. I then went into the boot up utility by pressing F8 at start up and selected "Disable automatic restart with system failure". It stopped my computer from restarting--but now if just freezes at the "welcome" screen.

I also tried installing AVG antivirus--which can't be completed in safe mode due to restrictions on what is running.

So i'm still battling starting my computer normally.

Any additional input would be appreciated. Thanks for your help so far.

 

Boot to safe mode.
Run MSCONFIG
set to boot to diagnostic mode

This is not safe mode, but a special normal mode.

Does it now boot?

 

Basically, yes, that worked for the booting. But I was unable to log onto the internet. Otherwise, my other programs seemed to be working.

Still no luck with AVG antivirus. I get a message saying: This application failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect.

Does diagnostic mode disable the internet connection? Is there a way to keep that on?

 

I finally got to get the information off the blue screen of death. In summary it said:

MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION...

Shutdown to prevent damage...

Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing....

Technical information
***STOP: 0x0000009C(0X00000001,0X8054E0F0,0XE2000000,0X00000115)

 

Now that you can get it to run in (albeit reduced) normal mode you can get to repairing XP.

Download and run the Mcafee removal tool

http://www.majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html1

Find your Windows CD and run the System File Checker

Download and reinstall Internet Explorer 7.

If this does not do it I suggest reinstallation.

Repair is often significantly more arduous than reinstallation.