Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Only boots up in Safemode

Dec 7, 2003 9:26PM PST

Gateway 400 Select PC; Windows 98SE; 160MB RAM; IE 6.

Well, I'm here ----- but in Safe Mode. This is a first for me ------ I've been in safemode before to check things out, but not to actually use the computer. When booting up this morning the PC will only boot up in safe mode. I did f8 to get to the bootup menu and selected normal and it still booted up in safemode. I went into display properties and everything appears fine there -- no warning marks, red marks or yellow marks. I also tried changing mouses from an optical (USB) port to a serial port mouse. I also tried the bootup disk ----- and I didn't know what to do there.

What must I do to get into normal mode?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
The only go-back in Windows 98 is...
Dec 7, 2003 9:32PM PST

The amount of work to do a LOGGED BOOT and pour over the bootlog.txt file will not be done by most, so why not go back a day with SCANREG? Here's the article -> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=184023

Bob

- Collapse -
Re:Only boots up in Safemode
Dec 7, 2003 10:05PM PST

1. The article [Q192926] discusses the Clean-boot troubleshooting process and procedure to perform a Diagnostic Startup and refers to methods of reducing behaviors that may occur because of the system's environment. Many behaviors that occur when Windows or programs run occur because there are conflicting drivers, terminate-and-stay-resident programs (TSRs), and other settings and programs that are loaded as part of the boot process and these files and programs help create the environment that is used by the operating system when the computer starts.

2. Supplemental reading:

a. "Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool (Q186099)."

b. "Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems (Q188867)."

- Collapse -
Re:Only boots up in Safemode
Dec 8, 2003 9:55AM PST

Thank you both for your responses. When viewing Robert's information, I saw that was a bit above and beyond my level. I help teach basic computer; internet; email; MS Works; etc; however, there is still much I don't know and feel very insecure unless someone walks me through it.

I did make an error when explaining things which would have made a world of difference in your responses. After taking it to the shop and them repairing for $20 by putting a new video driver in ----- which I feel I could have done if I'd know where to you, how, etc. -------I found out that I was not actually in Safe Mode, even though it looked like I was. Instead I was in VGA, 16 colors,or something like that. Techie said the video driver was corrupt and even though it looked like I was in safemode, it didn't actually have the 4 corner word that say safemode.

So, see, what do I know! I did learn something though and that's what it's all about. Fortunately it wasn't anything major, and I'm back in great shape now.

Sorry I mislead you all with incorrect information. I'm sure you've been this route before with newbies.

Julea

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Only boots up in Safemode
Dec 8, 2003 9:57AM PST

See, I can't even type ---- in my post, the words know where to you should have been known where to go.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Only boots up in Safemode
Dec 9, 2003 4:58AM PST

Luckily the tech was honest and basically only charged you for his time. Yes, updating drivers is something you can do yourself and for free. It's usually just a matter of finding out what the make and model is of the video card (or other hardware device) and then going to the manufacturer's website and locating the appropriate driver.

Just FYI, when you truly are in safe mode, you'll see the words "Safe Mode" in the corners of your screen.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Re:Only boots up in Safemode
Dec 9, 2003 10:23AM PST

Thanks for your response Josh. I realize that now. I sure led everyone astray, didn't I! I also found out that I can tell what kind of driver I need, among other things, by using Belarc Adviser. I'm learning!

Another friend also gave me this reference today which contained information I could understand better than what Bob provided -- MSKB article 306615, The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode. Hopefully, I'll not need again. By the time I do, I'll probably have forgotten it all (LOL)!