Can'T Get Out Of Safe Mode

[SteeleJoe]

Standard SteeleJoe Disclaimer: I know basically nothing about IT. if anyone is kind enough to reply but then starts throwing abunch of complicated terms at me or casually suggests I do something that is not real self explanatory, the effort will be appreciate but it will do me no good

Well, I;m quite impressed by the magnitude of my f*^_up -- this is why I perster peope with the most basic questions because when I try and get clever with my PC -- disaster. (Well truth be told this is the first time I've messed up my computer -- but I managed to really do it right.)

I was having troubles deleting some files and I was getting corrupted warning that kept telling me run "chkdsk". So I got on to Youtube and stupidly listened to some woman tell me how to do it. I think I ran chkdsk right but then I followed her instruction to retart in Safe Mode..andf that's all she wrote.

Initially I tried the boot menu and asked for normal mode. No go.

Now I can't even get that page that gives me the option.

I got to the page where to unclick safe mode, but it kept telling me I have to restore but then I can't restore in safe mode. Or have I got it confused? To addd to my problems I'm unable to go online on that machine, don't have any other computers in the house and am now in an internet cafe -- so I can't even look at my computer and accurately describe what's going on\. And I've worked at it for so long that I've got myself even more technologically confused than usual.

I'm dearly hoping that once I get to Normal Boot Mode everything will be normal or at least I can restore system (if indeed that's what I want/need to do?) As far as I can tell I haven't lost any data yet -- the thought of losing one of my limbs scares me less than that.

I swear I'll stop pestering you kind folks for help if I can just get my 'puter back and running. I always say how much I'll appreciate help -- and mean it -- but this is the big one. A lifesaver (well, OK maybe I'm being a bit melodramatic but...my computer guy won't be available til Monday ...2.5 days without my PC?!)

EDIT to ADD: I think this is what I did:

Turn off System Restore, Go to CMD prompt, type msconfig, go to boot.ini, change

boot to boot in Safe Mode, restart computer.

[SteeleJoe]

This is the (INSERT NON MYSOGINISTIC EXPLETIVE) who did this to me!

[BB1950]

Since you made a change with MSCONFIG to get it to boot in safe mode, Just undo it with MSCONFIG.

Go to CMD prompt, type msconfig, go to boot.ini,

change boot to boot in Normal Mode by unticking the Safe Mode tick box , restart computer.

[SteeleJoe]

Well now I' more woried than ever -- only 30 minutes true but a over 30 views and not one idea of what to do? Yikes. And I'll have to go home soon...how will I eat tonight? How will I sleep tonight? How will get it u...errr, never mind. Suffice it say I'll be stressing about this...

Hopefully someone will know what to do and be kind enought to post it for me to see when I come back.

Oh, cross post:

Thanks BB1950. But I'm pretty sure I did that -- yeah, I unticked the Safe Mode tick box already, I'm sure. Well, I think I'm sure. I'll give it another try when I get home.

[Supernova]

Initially I tried the boot menu and asked for normal mode. No go.

Now I can't even get that page that gives me the option.

Press F5 or F8 to display boot options.

BTW, you don't have to run CHKDSK in safe-mode...

[Tywais]

BTW, you don't have to run CHKDSK in safe-mode...

With Windows XP, if there are processes with open/locked files it is sometimes necessary.

[jdinasia]

Well now I' more woried than ever -- only 30 minutes true but a over 30 views and not one idea of what to do? Yikes. And I'll have to go home soon...how will I eat tonight? How will I sleep tonight? How will get it u...errr, never mind. Suffice it say I'll be stressing about this...

Hopefully someone will know what to do and be kind enought to post it for me to see when I come back.

Oh, cross post:

Thanks BB1950. But I'm pretty sure I did that -- yeah, I unticked the Safe Mode tick box already, I'm sure. Well, I think I'm sure. I'll give it another try when I get home.

Hey, I talked to G tonight and he's busy until Monday afternoon. Sorry (He didn't bring a laptop with him for his visit to Mom's place and is in meetings all day Mon.)

[SteeleJoe]

Got it!

Now to somehow salvage my dignity...at least none of you saw me screaming and crying...

[jdinasia]

Got it!

Now to somehow salvage my dignity...at least none of you saw me screaming and crying...

Great news! My MD bothers G enough

[SteeleJoe]

JD: Thanks very much but somehow I managed -- using a sort of mix of idea gotten here and elsewhere -- to solve both problems (I thinl).

Thank "G" for me too.

[Mrjlh]

Before you do anything more try this. It might work. It has for me in the past. I don't know how many files have been corrupted but it just might work.

Turn on you computer.

Let it go into "safe mode"

Look for the "my Computer" icon or find it in the start menu and open it.

You should get a window which shows your hard drive and other hardware. Look for the "C Drive".

Right Click on it. a drop down menu will appear. At the bottom of the menu you should see "properties".

Left click on "properties".

Another window will appear and you'll see a pie chart of your hard drive. . Should have several "tabs" along the top.

Left click on "tools". another window will appear. You should see "error-checking". Click on "check now".

A message will appear and either say check now or check after you reboot. Left click "YES" or Start, which ever option you get.

Shut down computer. Wait a few seconds then turn on your computer. If the error checking works it will go into a series of 5 checks. Each one takes different times. Steps 4 & 5 can take a long time depending on the size if your hard drive. When the last check is complete and quick list of everything it found will be listed. But it doesn't stay long.. In your case because you wouldn't understand it anyway, let it pass. If your computer can fix its self it wiil durning the process. Otherwise you will need to re-install from the original operating software. And that's a whole different process to do.

Good luck.

[Supernova]

BTW, you don't have to run CHKDSK in safe-mode...

With Windows XP, if there are processes with open/locked files it is sometimes necessary.

You can't perform CHKDSK /F or /R on drive C: or any mounted device for that matter; hence Windows scheduling the disk check during startup. The only exceptions to this would be a "vanilla" disk check (CHKDSK without options) or a force dismount.

TBH, I don't remember the last time I ran CHKDSK in safe-mode.

[Mrjlh]

Before you do anything more try this. It might work. It has for me in the past. I don't know how many files have been corrupted but it just might work.

Turn on you computer.

Let it go into "safe mode"

Look for the "my Computer" icon or find it in the start menu and open it.

You should get a window which shows your hard drive and other hardware. Look for the "C Drive".

Right Click on it. a drop down menu will appear. At the bottom of the menu you should see "properties".

Left click on "properties".

Another window will appear and you'll see a pie chart of your hard drive. . Should have several "tabs" along the top.

Left click on "tools". another window will appear. You should see "error-checking". Click on "check now".

A message will appear and either say check now or check after you reboot. Left click "YES" or Start, which ever option you get.

Shut down computer. Wait a few seconds then turn on your computer. If the error checking works it will go into a series of 5 checks. Each one takes different times. Steps 4 & 5 can take a long time depending on the size if your hard drive. When the last check is complete and quick list of everything it found will be listed. But it doesn't stay long.. In your case because you wouldn't understand it anyway, let it pass. If your computer can fix its self it wiil durning the process. Otherwise you will need to re-install from the original operating software. And that's a whole different process to do.

Good luck.

I forgot something. After you open "check now" a window will open with two boxes in it. check both boxes. Then hit yes or start.

[SteeleJoe]

Before you do anything more try this. It might work. It has for me in the past. I don't know how many files have been corrupted but it just might work.

Turn on you computer.

Let it go into "safe mode"

Look for the "my Computer" icon or find it in the start menu and open it.

You should get a window which shows your hard drive and other hardware. Look for the "C Drive".

Right Click on it. a drop down menu will appear. At the bottom of the menu you should see "properties".

Left click on "properties".

Another window will appear and you'll see a pie chart of your hard drive. . Should have several "tabs" along the top.

Left click on "tools". another window will appear. You should see "error-checking". Click on "check now".

A message will appear and either say check now or check after you reboot. Left click "YES" or Start, which ever option you get.

Shut down computer. Wait a few seconds then turn on your computer. If the error checking works it will go into a series of 5 checks. Each one takes different times. Steps 4 & 5 can take a long time depending on the size if your hard drive. When the last check is complete and quick list of everything it found will be listed. But it doesn't stay long.. In your case because you wouldn't understand it anyway, let it pass. If your computer can fix its self it wiil durning the process. Otherwise you will need to re-install from the original operating software. And that's a whole different process to do.

Good luck.

I forgot something. After you open "check now" a window will open with two boxes in it. check both boxes. Then hit yes or start.

Wow, thanks very much indeed. Right now it seems as if I accidentally fixed things already but I'm copying these instructions for sure -- for cool of you to go to the trouble and much appreciated.

[Mrjlh]

Before you do anything more try this. It might work. It has for me in the past. I don't know how many files have been corrupted but it just might work.

Turn on you computer.

Let it go into "safe mode"

Look for the "my Computer" icon or find it in the start menu and open it.

You should get a window which shows your hard drive and other hardware. Look for the "C Drive".

Right Click on it. a drop down menu will appear. At the bottom of the menu you should see "properties".

Left click on "properties".

Another window will appear and you'll see a pie chart of your hard drive. . Should have several "tabs" along the top.

Left click on "tools". another window will appear. You should see "error-checking". Click on "check now".

A message will appear and either say check now or check after you reboot. Left click "YES" or Start, which ever option you get.

Shut down computer. Wait a few seconds then turn on your computer. If the error checking works it will go into a series of 5 checks. Each one takes different times. Steps 4 & 5 can take a long time depending on the size if your hard drive. When the last check is complete and quick list of everything it found will be listed. But it doesn't stay long.. In your case because you wouldn't understand it anyway, let it pass. If your computer can fix its self it wiil durning the process. Otherwise you will need to re-install from the original operating software. And that's a whole different process to do.

Good luck.

I forgot something. After you open "check now" a window will open with two boxes in it. check both boxes. Then hit yes or start.

Wow, thanks very much indeed. Right now it seems as if I accidentally fixed things already but I'm copying these instructions for sure -- for cool of you to go to the trouble and much appreciated.

I hope it works!!!...Depends greatly on the amount of damage already done otherwise you might have to do a re-install.