Won't boot outside safe mode.

[The Batman]

Ok so I decided I would try and fix my mom's computer and the problem is that it won't boot outside of safe mode, when I try and load it up normally it starts trying to start up then it just freezes, the screen goes black, and the computer won't do anything. Could I reformat the hard drive, I'm trying to disable most of the startup items right now but this is really pissing me off.

[Mzor203]

So does it even get to the desktop? Or just goes black before you get there?

Anyways, I had a problem like this, which is that whenever something is plugged into the USB ports in my computer that isn't something isntalled or like a mouse or keyboard, the computer wants to boot from that location instead of XP. Try this:

On startup, at the bottom there should be words which say things like: system preferences (F10) and things like that. One should say something about boot drivers, for me you have to hit Esc, but it may be different. Select the C: drive, and see if it boots normally.


It most likely isn't this, but it is worth a shot.

Another thing you could try is restoring the defaults on the system preferences menu. Tell me if it makes it to the desktop, or just freezes on startup as well.

[The Batman]

It gets to the desktop but as soon as all the startup items finish loading it just goes blank.

[Blahages]

Try Disabling all startup items first. You can do that in msconfig.

Start --> Run --> msconfig --> Startup tab --> Disable All button.

Hit OK, and reboot. Do this from Safe Mode, obviously.

If it works in normal mode, then it's a startup program.

If it doesn't, reboot back into Safe Mode, open Msconfig again, and this time, go to the services tab. Check the "Hide Microsoft Services" and then hit "Disable All." This will make it so it's not loading any 3rd party services on boot.

If it works, it's one of those.

If not, reboot, and hit F8, and choose "VGA Mode" and see if it works.

[The Batman]

Oh yea I already figured it out its one of the startup programs infact it's one of the services but now I have to figure out which one

[Mzor203]

Ah. Hmm... well I have another suggestion, which requires you to load it in safe mode.

First, figure out your RAM, as you'll need to know the amount of MB.

Then, got to:

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Hit the setting button > Advanced > then look at the virtual memory section.

There will be the amount of Virtual Memory there, it should be set to a number around 1.5 times your amount of RAM.

This happened to me, and I found it was set at 0 MB for whatever reason.

[The Batman]

This computer is 5 years old and has barely any RAM so I'm going to tell my mom to buy some more.

[Mzor203]

Well if you figured out it was a startup program, blahages has the solution most likely, disregard my posts.

[The Batman]

Ok so now I'm using my remote assistance to take control of the computer from mine and to tell the truth I wish someone who knew what they were doing would do this instead any offers?

[Blahages]

Is it one of the Startup Programs, or the Services? you kind of said both in your post, although I don't think you meant both.

Which was it?

You could try Trial and Error. Check only a few and reboot and see if it works. If it does, you know it's not one of those, and you can add a few more, and keep going. You'll find the culprit sooner or later.

If it's one of the services, same thing. Was it one of the 3rd party services, though? You probably don't have too many 3rd part services. Take a screenshot of the 3rd party only services, or list them off on here, it might be helpful.

Are you still able to remote control it when it has the black screen?

[The Batman]

Ok its not a startup (I think) program it's some kind of timeout because if I leave it on to long it goes blank even in safe mode. It acts like it's going to sleep then the power light on the tower goes orange and it won't do anything. I want to restore it to the factory defaults but my brother lost the restore discs so now the only way is to spend $100 on a new windows xp disc which is a waste of money is there anyother way to restore it to factory defaults.

[Blahages]

That may not be anything to do with Windows then... It could be the power supply acting up...

It's kind of hard to tell for sure.

What brand of computer is it? A lot of Companies if you get a hold of their tech support, will send you replacement restore cds for free or a small charge. There's usually not a need to buy a whole new XP License and CD. If you have the License on the side of the computer, you should be able to just purchase the media (CD) for fairly cheap, or something.

[The Batman]

Its a crappy emachines.

[The Batman]

Ok so I tried to remote access it again and right when i took control it did whatever it is its doing and i lost connection with it so I'm thinking of just trying to install linux on it so maybe it could be used for something.

[Blahages]

You could try that if you want. You can even do it where you don't erase Windows, so then you won't entirely lose it and you can maybe fix it later on.

With what it does, it wouldn't suprise me if it wasn't a Windows issue, and maybe a Power supply issue.

You might try getting a hold of eMachines' tech support and asking about getting a replacement Recovery Disc.

http://www.emachines.com/support/options.html

Just email/call/use their online chat and tell them the computer model, and tell them you've lost your recovery discs, and I'm sure they can provide you with new ones.

You might turn the computer on, and let it sit in the Bios for a few hours, and see if it happens to have the screen go blank like it does in Windows. If it doesn't break, it won't PROVE that it's a Windows issue, but if it does, it will prove it isn't.

Always worth a try.