Can'T Boot Netbook Into Safe Mode

[Taggart]

Hi,

Using XP OS. I picked up a virus a couple of days ago at a site while searching for a stock screener. The virus is called Virtumonde. I searched for a solution and tried a recommended Malwarebytes. I think this program got rid of the malware, but someone with the same problem was told to run the scans in "safe mode". Tried to start computer in safe mode by doing a restart and hitting the f8 key before the banner started. Press the safe mode option. The computer then brings up a list of partitions, then prompts me for a startup choice again. Keep entering safe mode but it loops back to doing the same thing, asking me for a startup choice. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[BB1950]

Well being you had a virus... things are very unpredictable. You might try setting the safeboot option in boot.ini by using msconfig. 1. Do a Start->Run 2. Enter msconfig 3. When the msconfig window opens, select the boot.ini tab. 4. Select the /safeboot options 5. Select Apply and Ok. 6. Reboot the computer. It should start in SafeMode. If not, you have a serious problem. By the way, once the /safeboot option has been set, the computer will boot into SafeMode everytime the computer is booted. You need to run msconfig again and under the boot.ini tab select /normalboot to get the computer to boot normally again.

[BB1950]

Well being you had a virus... things are very unpredictable.  You might try setting the safeboot option in boot.ini by using msconfig.  1. Do a Start->Run 2. Enter msconfig 3. When the msconfig window opens, select the boot.ini tab. 4. Select the /safeboot options 5. Select Apply and Ok. 6. Reboot the computer. It should start in SafeMode. If not, you have a serious problem.  By the way, once the /safeboot option has been set, the computer will boot into SafeMode everytime the computer is booted. You need to run msconfig again and under the boot.ini tab select /normalboot to get the computer to boot normally again.

I forgot to mention. If this doesn't get you into SafeMode, then you might locate a utility to repair the MBR (Master Boot Record). Most antivirus companies have a utility to do that. Since you aren't prepared in advance, you may need another computer to download and build a rescue boot CD.

[siamect]

Starting in "safe mode" means most likely you don't have "on access" antivirus/malvare protection running.

Some companies/people actually do recommend starting the computer in "Safe Mode" when you have a virus... just so that their crapware can scan all files. Guess who more can scan all files!

Anybody still think this is a good idea?

Boot the computer from something that doesn't carry viruses and make a backup first!

After that you can scan or do whatever you like... But before you restore the backup, scan a copy of it!

Martin

[Taggart]

Well being you had a virus... things are very unpredictable. You might try setting the safeboot option in boot.ini by using msconfig. 1. Do a Start->Run 2. Enter msconfig 3. When the msconfig window opens, select the boot.ini tab. 4. Select the /safeboot options 5. Select Apply and Ok. 6. Reboot the computer. It should start in SafeMode. If not, you have a serious problem. By the way, once the /safeboot option has been set, the computer will boot into SafeMode everytime the computer is booted. You need to run msconfig again and under the boot.ini tab select /normalboot to get the computer to boot normally again.

That didn't turn out to be a good idea. The computer wouldn't boot either in safe mode nor in normal mode any more, so I was stuck. By that time I wanted to do a full restore but it wouldn't even allow me that option with the esc key. I thought the only good thing this netbook could be used for, would be a doorstop, if I couldn't read the restore CD. I lucked out, because a friend mentioned that I should try booting from the Bios. Not all the time, but occasionally when I tried to reboot a grey Bios screen would come up and something on it about pressing F2. After pressing the F2 key continuously got the Bios screen up. I couldn't figure that out either, but actually going into the Bios and then exiting, allowed me to use the esc key after hitting it continuously, to bring up the option on the screen to use the cd. Just pure luck on my part.