cannnot get in safe mode

[karl domas]

My wife has a hp laptop and 3 times this year. The
computer does not allow me to get in safe mode after the
computer reboots, and i have to reinstall everything.All
three time i had norton antivirus software,zone alarm
fire wall, and updated the computer when it asked.
Any body have any other sugestions besides going to
windows 200 pro.

[Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)]

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open Administrative
Tools, open Event Viewer, look for errors corresponding to the crash, double
click the error, the information contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. No not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"karl domas" <ka...@otiscomputers.com> wrote in message
news:25a001c37a5d$5207dca0$a501...@phx.gbl...

[Taurarian]

How to start Windows XP in Safe mode
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039
Safe-Mode Boot Switches for Windows Boot.ini File
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/7/80.asp
A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q315222

"karl domas" <ka...@otiscomputers.com> wrote in message
news:25a001c37a5d$5207dca0$a501...@phx.gbl...

[karl domas]

I am sorry i did not explain that i can pick safe mode and
it goes thru the motions and i get the mouse curser then
it reboots continuously. The same in regular mode. It
showes the home xp logo, shows the mouse curser then
reboots. Before all this started i ran a full virus scan
with the updates and ran the microsoft updates two days
before this happend for the third time.Any other advice?

>.
>

[karl domas]

Also there are no external peripheral attachted to the
computer.
thanks

>.
>

[Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)]

Assuming you have an XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, try a repair install
as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD you are left with two options, either
purchase the retail version of XP and run the above or run the recovery
routine. Unfortunately, most recovery routines wipe the drive so you would
lose everything, if you don't have a backup, and would be starting over but
it would put the system in its factory fresh state.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"karl domas" <karl@otiscomputers> wrote in message
news:39e801c37afe$e09cf350$a601...@phx.gbl...