My computer will only start up in Safe Mode... when I try to start it normally, it takes longer than usual, blinks what might be an error message (it flashes on and off too fast to read), then gives me the option to start in Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Last Known Good Configuration (most recent settings that worked), and Start Windows Normally. If I do either of the last two, it does the same thing. It will only start up in Safe Mode.

I'm running a Compaq Presario 700 with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and an AMD Duron processor (not sure what info is needed to get help). I know she's old and outdated, but I'd love to get her up and running again Thanks for any assistance that can be provided!

MelanieRose

In Safe Mode go to --> START --> Run...

Type: cmd

Then type: chkdsk /r

You will be told the volume is in use. Do you want to run chkdsk at next boot?
Type Y and reboot.

If this does not resolve the issue what type of Recovery CD do you have? An HP XP disk?

Have you recently installed any new hardware which sucks a lot of power? (ie; video card, etc) An under-powered Power Supply can cause this problem.

Are you running Norton?

If you still have problems after trying jephree's suggestion, try a system restore from a command prompt;

When your machine starts in safe mode, log on with an account that has administrator privileges.

Type the following in a command prompt window;

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

press ENTER.

Follow the instructions on the screen to restore your computer to a point which precedes the problem.

I tried your suggestion, and it worked!

Thanks to everyone who replied, you guys are life-savers I'm so glad to have my baby back and working

Thanks again, I owe you!

love, MelanieRose

Which worked? (It helps us to know for future problems.)

Well, it turns out I spoke too soon... it works as long as I don't shut my computer down I ended up having to go through BOTH the above steps before I could start up in normal mode again. I watched the process (which was rawther long), and the computer ended up "replacing bad clusters" in the following two spots:

\DOCUME~1\MELANI~1\LOCALS~1\TEMPOR~1\content.IE5\o 527cpr\GE178E~1.

\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\symcData\idsdefs\20070 214.003\sigs.dat

It said that 8 clusters were replaced, but when I went to use MSIE it got stuck, and I noticed the processor was making the same sort of stuck ticking noises it made when it would get stuck in startup. I'm assuming there's some major problems with the above files, and if I could somehow fix or get rid of them it might solve the problem. My laptop is currently running in normal mode, and I'm not planning to shut it down until I'm pretty sure I can get it up and running normally again, or I'm told to do otherwise.

Oh, and I have a somewhat outdated version of Norton, but I'll try running it as well.

Again, any further suggestions appreciated, and thanks for your help so far

MelanieRose

Is this the laptop:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=95516&lang=en

A clicking hard drive usually indicates a mechanical problem.

I would run a diagnostic on the hard drive. Also HP has a diagnostic:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=95516&lang=en

You can ID the hard drive in the Device Manager: right click My Computer then click Manage then Device Manager. Click the + next to Disk drives. What is listed there?

Also I would remove Norton/Symantec software completely. They have a tool to do so if necessary:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...05033108162039