Win 98 safemode problem

[cheerio]

We have a Win98 pc that currently boots ok into the normal desktop.

However, if I try to go into safemode it stops when the desktop appears with Safemode in each corner. There are no desktop icons and no start menu.

I find this confusing. Safemode should be the refuge when the normal desktop fails - not the other way round.

What might cause this? How do you diagnose safemode problems?

Ken

 

[wolluf]

Why were you going into safemode? (eg, have you got a problem).

Does it definitely never load the desktop? (I've known safemode to take ages to actually load desktop).

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

alot of people use safemode for scandisk defrag...
when did this problem start?

 

[cheerio]

There is no particular problem. I usually defrag in safemode. The problem has been on the computer a couple of months.

My concern is that if anything stopped normal mode working I would be in trouble. I have now backed up all data apart from email.

If I cannot track down the cause, I will probably format and rebuild sometime soon.

I will try again overnight and give it more time.

Ken

 

[pudda]

Why Windows may not start in Safe Mode:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;199175

Also, try unplugging the network cable (if one is there) before restarting in Safe Mode. Most network connections are not allowed in Safe Mode and may be causing a problem with Windows loading:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;196249

or USB issues:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;195241

The test continues...

 

[cheerio]

This does not seem to be a time issue. The hourglass can sit there for half an hour.

It does not seem to be a network issue. There is a network card but disconnecting from the network makes no difference.

I don't think its a USB issue as there are no active USB devices - I only use USB for capturing data from a digital camera and that is not normally connected (otherwise I would never take any pictures!)

I don't think it's a SCSI issue - the link above refers to Win 2000 and I have Win 98 - also I only use SCSI for an old scanner not for disk drives.

Ken