Computer only boots to safe mode, now what?!

[JulieC]

Hi,
My computer will only boot to Safe Mode and I have no clue what to do now. I tried to search on this and found some vague info on "fixing problems" once you are already in safe mode, but no specifics on just what to do.

Here is what I've tried so far...
Ran AVG virus check...no viruses
Ran SpyBot and Ad Aware...no spyware

I noticed that some error messages were coming up as Windows was loading once in a while (before the "safe mode" incident). Stupidly, I ignored them and did not write them down. I do know that they started with HP... so perhaps something to do with my HP printer?

Of course my husband has some data on the computer that has not been backed up so I do not want to do anything that could prevent me from recovering this data (lots of pictures!)

Some basic info:
Compaq Presario
Windows 98 Second Edition 4.10.2222A
319 MB RAM

Please help!
Thanks so much!
Julie

[Fed]

Check your Device Manager for warnings first.
Start>Settings>Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager.
If you find any warnings remove the drivers & reboot to allow Windows to detect & install drivers.
You can then update to the latest.
Let us know what you find.

[JulieC]

OK, I did not see any "warnings" in the Device Manager but I do see that under the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" there is one that has a red "X" over the graphic for: "%USB/UKNOWN.DeviceDesc%". This is repeated 3 times. Is this what you mean by "warnings"?

Thanks!

[Fed]

Uninstall the drivers for the devices with the red Xs.
If your HP printer is USB then disconnect it too.
Re-boot & see if you can get into normal mode.

[JulieC]

OK...did that and it still will only boot to safe mode  :-/

Julie

[Fed]

What happens when you select Normal Mode to boot with?

[JulieC]

It ties to reboot, but then goes back to the Startup menu.

[dl65]

JulieC..... please do this .......... click start , then run and in the run box type....
msconfig and ENTER .........  when the new window opens ........
You should see Startup options .......
Normal Startup
Diagnostic Startup
Selective Startup

Which one has the green mark in the circle ?

dl65  

[JulieC]

Well...it says "selective" but I've repeatedly clicked on the "normal" startup and apply". It prompts me to re-boot but the problem repeats itself after I re-boot...then when I go back and check this, the "selective" button is highlighted again.

[Fed]

Here's a bit of light reading for you , BTW, do you have a win98 disk?
http://www.jobcyclone.com/pcservicing/win98.php

[Backdated]

Press the F8 key at boot to bring up the startup menu.
Choose "Option 4 - Step By Step Confirmation".
Press "Y" to every prompt, noting each driver etc that's loaded.
When the startup fails, you've found your culprit.

[JulieC]

  Good News!!!
Thanks to all, I read all the light reading and all hope was lost after trying the troubleshooting tips to no avail, but when I did the "step by step" on the start-up, it worked when I said no to the AVG start-up. So my computer started, I was able to retrieve all the photos (yeah!) and of course it crashed again and the whole "safe mode" nonsense started again. I guess it's time to update my computer!

Thanks everyone!
Julie

[Backdated]

Update? Why? If you have all your data safely backed up, then you've nothing to lose. You could simply format and reinstall or you could boot to Safe Mode and start troubleshooting by removing AVG.
If you need help in this process, just yell!