Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 04:58:57 PM

Title: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 04:58:57 PM

Hey everyone. I've got a very annoying problem.

After having a bevy of problems with my computer, I finally figured it out. I changed the BOOT.INI section of msconfig to boot windows in Safemode. Upon getting in Safemode, the computer finally recognized USB devices and the CD drive again (wasn't doing so in normal mode). So, I insert a Windows XP disc, used the Advanced install mode (the one that overwrites the previous installation of Windows), and everything seemed to be going great.

However, the machine restarts and tells me this "Windows XP Setup cannot run under Safemode. Setup will restart now." and has an OK button. I click it, thinking it's going to boot into normal mode.

Well, it doesn't. It boots up again, says the same thing. I click OK. Restart. Again. OK. On and on into infinity.

So, I'm stuck and have no idea how to fix this problem.

Any suggestions?

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 05:00:56 PM

Quote

I changed the BOOT.INI section of msconfig to boot windows in Safemode.

Quote

thinking it's going to boot into normal mode.

Well, it doesn't.

You've answered your own question. Try booting off the disk, not just inserting it.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 05:09:50 PM

I can't get to the desktop to change the boot options.  Pressing F8 on start up doesn't prompt the boot menu either.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Dusty on August 18, 2007, 05:21:41 PM

Change your boot sequence in bios to boot from the cdrom first and boot with your genuine MS XP disk already installed in the cdrom.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 05:26:23 PM

Yeah, I thought of that, but I can't get the boot options menu to come up.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 05:28:35 PM

Quote from: Dusty on August 18, 2007, 05:21:41 PM

Change your boot sequence in bios to boot from the cdrom first and boot with your genuine MS XP disk already installed in the cdrom.

BIOS is before Windows even loads, it will be a button like F2, del, F10. Then change your boot order to CD ROM first and boot off the disc while it is in the drive.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 05:47:23 PM

I got into the BIOS setup, chose boot from CD.  The exact same thing is still happening.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 05:50:38 PM

I find that hard to believe. Is the disc in the drive when it restarts after you have positioned boot from CD to the top?

If you can't boot off the disc you have more serious problems. Windows is not even starting to load at this stage, from the disc you should be able to format / reinstall Windows on the drive.

I'd say you're doing something wrong.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 06:07:42 PM

I'll run you through exactly what I did.


I booted XP in Safemode.  Copied all my info to a external drive.

My computer was F'd up, so I inserted the Windows XP disc and chose to install a over the previous version of windows. (advanced)

Everything was going great.  The computer rebooted itself to install, then comes up to a black desktop that says Safe Mode and the WINDOWS XP SETUP dialog box telling me that XP can't install in Safemode.  I click OK, and the computer restarts.  It comes back up saying the exact same thing.  Repeat.  Repeat. 

I change the BIOS options to Boot from CD as the first, and Hard Disc as second.  Press any key to boot from CD.....  At this point, I'm not exactly sure if it recognized my keyboard entry.  I hit any key, and the dots kept coming.

Then it booted up the same.

I'm not a complete dumbass despite what this thread implies.  I'm on a wireless keyboard, but I plugged in a regular keyboard, and it's still having problems when I hit any key.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 06:12:28 PM

Can you navigate through the BIOS with both keyboards? I assume a regular keyboard is PS/2? Well it sounds like it is going to work but you just need to confirm you want to boot from the CD. I'd say put the settings to failsafe, for that to work you'll need a PS/2 keyboard though.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 06:18:34 PM

Yes, both keyboard work in the BIOS, and the wired keyboard is PS/2.

As far as putting the settings in failsafe, I have no idea how to do that.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 06:22:29 PM

Well you get into the BIOS and there'll be an option that says something about setting to fail-safe defaults. Make sure you set it back to default after because you can't do a lot of stuff when it's in that mode.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 06:48:26 PM

Thanks, Delta.  I reexamined how I had the PS/2 keyboard in the computer.  I moved it to the adjacent input and it worked. 

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 06:50:21 PM

You had it in the mouse one... :-\

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: Binx on August 18, 2007, 07:15:26 PM

Yeah.. this all seems painfully obvious to me now. 

Anyway, thanks for the help, bro.

Title: Re: The infinite loop into Safemode
Post by: DeltaSlaya on August 18, 2007, 08:15:53 PM

No problem.

Thats two issues resolved today lol! Yay :P