I'm in Windows 7 'Safe Mode' - what do I do now?

Forums › Microsoft Windows › I'm in Windows 7 'Safe Mode' - what do I do now?

drdrake

27 posts

Geek

#68868 29-Sep-2010 19:35

Please help. Older HP Pavillion t580a with Win 7 Home Premium. Has been running fine until restarted after recent Windows Updates, and now won't get past windows splash screen. It will boot into safe mode just fine though.

So what do I do once I am in safe mode? I thought that I had System Restore enabled, but when I try to open it I get a message saying I can't turn on system protection for a disk formatted in FAT or FAT32.

I have tried pressing F8 then starting in "last known good configuration" or "debugging" mode but they all freeze on the spalsh screen with the windows logo.

Is there a way I can remove the updates that windows has applied before the system crashed? Or a way to selectively start applications once in safe mode until I find the problem? Is there a diagnostic tool I should be running from safe mode that will find the solution for me?

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#386023 29-Sep-2010 19:47

The first thing to try would be to boot from your Windows 7 install disk and run the Recovery Tool.
I think there is an option in the recovery tools on the Windows 7 disk called 'Start-Up repair'.

Give that a go.

Hope if helps.

drdrake

27 posts

Geek

#386058 29-Sep-2010 21:12

Ok, it ran the startup repair tool, then came back saying it was unable to fix the computer. The diagnosis and repair file showed a long line of tests which had all completed successfully, with error code = 0x0. The "root cause" was described as an "unspecified system configuration change" and suggested checking system file integrity.

I am now sitting on a screen called "System Recovery Options" with several choices (including running Stratup repair again).

Thoughts?

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#386061 29-Sep-2010 21:18

Possibly another stab in the dark, but you might want to give the 'AVG Rescue CD' a go. It could be a virus/malware that is hindering your startup.
http://www.avg.co.nz/products/avg-rescue-cd/

Download the AVG rescue CD iso and burn it to disk, and then boot from that and run the scan.

drdrake

27 posts

Geek

#386100 29-Sep-2010 22:53

It worked! I already had AVG Free installed, but it must have missed something. Running a total system scan right now to double check. Then I'm going to try sort out the restore point issue...

Thank you very much for your help

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#386116 29-Sep-2010 23:41

Not a problem. Happy to help.

So did the AVG Rescue CD definitely pick something up?

If AVG doesn't pick anything up on a full system scan (which it quite possibly won't since your system is now starting, therefore it has probably picked up the start-up virus/malware problem), I would suggest giving either Avast Free or Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) a go. Although only choose one Anti-virus product, as running two side-by-side can cause problems.

It may, or may not have been the case that AVG failed to pick something up in the first place that stopped your computer from starting, but if you want to try other options, Avast or MSE are a good alternative.

I haven't used AVG in a while so I can't claim that it is crap now, but when I used it a few years ago it seemed quite sluggish, and some reports claimed that the detection rate wasn't quite as good as Avast and others.
I could be wrong now, but I have never needed to move away from Avast or MSE because they haven't given me any problems so far. At least you have to give the AVG Rescue CD some credit for helping you in this instance.

You might also want to consider running something like MalwareBytes, or SUPERAntiSpyware alongside your chosen AV application to pick up the stuff the AV might not.

Happy scanning!!

chiefie

I iz your trusted friend
5877 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#386129 30-Sep-2010 00:05

I'd suggest go for Microsoft Security Essential as it is by-far the best and powerful yet very light/gentle on system, even when compared to Avast Free...

Internet is my backyard...

«Geekzone blog: Tech 'n Chips Takeaway» «Personal blog: And then...»

Please read the Geekzone's FUG