Can't boot into safe mode

Last night my wife went to download something and the computer beeped and froze--including the mouse. Tried to reboot but the first black screen comes up showing the memory test and nothing happens. Just hangs indefinitely. Tried all kinds of keys to get into Safe Mode and then run my virus software, but I can't get into Safe Mode. Tried F8 several times, all the other function keys, CTRL. Nothing works. I got the setup menu, but nothing else.

Any ideas?

 

What operating system are you using? XP, Vista, Windows 7, or what?
F8, for example, doesn't work on all OS'es
Bazza

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I'm using XP.

 

Is the recovery console part of the XP CD? I'll take a look for the CD.

 

I now can't get into setup, so I haven't been able to try to XP disc. Any ideas?

 

Correct. I can't get into BIOS. The black screen says to press DEL or F2 to enter setup, and it doesn't work. I've tried all other function keys, CTRL, etc., but I can't get the BIOS screen.

 

Hi, I have XP. The way it works for me is: Use Run, type msconfig, click ok, then(L) click Boot INI TAB, tick safe boot, (L)click ok and restart compt. Hope this works. Boneyeye

 

Before doing the msconfig change which can trap you in a safemode loop I would ask if you are using a USB keyboard? Sometimes USB keyboards aren't recognized until Windows starts. If you have an old PS/2 keyboard around try that. You have to have it plugged into the machine and restart to see if it works.

 

I am using a PS/2 keyboard, not USB. But I don't understand how to "use Run." I can't get into BIOS or anything except the first black screen that appears with the manufacturer's info, etc.

 

I don't think you want to change things in msconfig because if Safe Mode doesn't work on your computer which it doesn't for many XP installations then you won't be able to return to regular startup. You will have a machine that won't boot into Windows.

Actually, at the moment you can't start Windows at all. Your machine is freezing at the memory check?

 

That's right, it's freezing at the memory check. Any suggestions?

P.S. I've been able to use Safe Mode in the past, but whatever slammed my computer the other night has made this impossible to do.

 

If the machine is freezing at the memory check, maybe that's an indicator. Try reseating any RAM modules, make sure everything's clean, swapping sticks, etc.

 

Okay, I'll try it. But is it also possible that malware could have done this?

What does swapping sticks mean?

 

Swapping sticks = if you have multiple RAM modules, moving Module #1 to Slot #2, Module #2 to Slot #1, etc. What you're looking for is a change in symptoms.

Malware that affects a machine's BIOS is extremely rare.

 

If you have multiple RAM modules don't forget to try using just one at a time in Slot 1. If neither works in Slot 1 that could indicate a bad Slot. If one works in Slot 1 and not the other it would indicate a bad module.

 

eerie_eric, you seeme to be getting nowhere here. Try Run: (L)click "run" on your start menu,type msconfig in the "run box" that comes up. Since you have not a USB keyboard it will not create a loop in safe mode and carry on as I advised you in post 11. When finished just uncheck safe/Boot in msconfig and restart your compt. It always works for me. I have WinXP Home Edition Service Pack 3. Best of luck. Boneyeye

 

@boneyeye: read posts #8, #10, #13, and #15 - the OP cannot get past the memory check.

 

I opened up the PC and tried reseating all of the cards. Still getting the same display:

Memory Testing 5249[etc.] OK
Detecting IDE drives...

So it looks like it is getting past the memory test but hanging at the IDE drives part.

Also, whenever I touch any key on the keyboard there is a feint little beep or tone that comes from within the PC. Don't know if that indicates anything or not.

 

Do you have a CD in the tray or any USB items attached? If so remove them.

Try unplugging the HD and trying to boot does the message change to something like "No system Disk" or " No OS found"? If not try unplugging the CDROM and see if there is a change.

I also think resetting the BIOS couldn't hurt if unplugging the HD and CDROM doesn't change the message. Unplug the PC and remove the small watch-type coin shaped battery from the motherboard for a minute or two. Then put it back in, plug back in and see if the message changes.

 

I removed the CD and USB items. This did not change anything. They remain unplugged.

I unplugged the HD and the message changed to "Disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter."

I plugged the HD back in and unplugged the CDROM and got the same message as before ("Detecting IDE drives...").

I removed the battery from the motherboard for a few minutes and then put it back. I got the same message--"Detecting IDE drives...").

I appreciate your help with this.

 

H eric', Can you get into the BIOS at all?

edit: it is usually press - F2 sometimes it is press - ESC or DEL to get into the BIOS

 

It sounds to me like the HD is what is stopping boot.

If you had a bootable CD it would probably boot okay with the HD unplugged.

You could try using a different cable for the HD if you have one available but I doubt that is the problem.

I would suggest running a HD manufacturer's Diagnostic utility on the HD (by downloading the bootable CD from their website) but because the HD stops boot I don't think that is an option.

Two possibilities would be to put the HD into another computer as a slave drive (you have to change the jumpers to slave) and then try to run the HD diagnostic. The Long/extended test attempts to fix bad sectors and sometimes that is all that is needed.

Or, unplug the machine and remove the battery. Leave unplugged overnight so no power to it at all. Then put the battery back in and plug back in. Restart. Sometimes a failing/dead HD will work a few more times if it completely cools down.

Other than that I think you have to get a new HD and reinstall Windows.

 

Yeah, remember the freezer trick? Wrap a hard drive in a towel, put it in the freezer for a half hour or so, and then plug it back it in - in rare cases, that's enough to pull data off of a dead drive.

Not recommending that, necessarily, but it was fun to type.

 

hehe, i 've used the freezer trick to some success a few times, but i've always either put in a PC i dont care about or connected it via USB as i don't trust quasi frozen HDD's not to hurt my baby (my main PC)