Exit Safe Mode without Startup Disk?

[Pleasure]

A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my computer
won't start and it is in Safe MODE. Can I get out and start my computer
without the startup disk and if so how?

Thanks

[Don Phillipson[_5_]]

"Pleasure" > wrote in message
...

> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.

We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
special backup measures in place.)

It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
c:\windows\scanreg /restore
when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
between which you can choose to start with the
Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
not start OK the error messages may tell you what
system files have been removed or damaged.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

[Brian A.]

What exactly did your friend "work on"? Please provide more details to better
help others help you.

Also have a look-see at:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read “Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it” by MS MVP Gary Terhune.
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

Windows 98 or Windows 95 Defaults to Safe Mode Even After Successful Start
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q143283

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306615

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"Pleasure" > wrote in message
...
>A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my computer
> won't start and it is in Safe MODE. Can I get out and start my computer
> without the startup disk and if so how?
>
> Thanks

[Jeff Richards]

Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That restore
will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup, but
will not undo any of the associated changes to files. OP should NOT use a
registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts to fix
it have failed.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
...
> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>
> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
> special backup measures in place.)
>
> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
> between which you can choose to start with the
> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
> system files have been removed or damaged.
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>

[Bill in Co.]

Jeff Richards wrote:
> Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That
> restore
> will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup, but
> will not undo any of the associated changes to files.

EXCEPT for system.dat and user.dat (and perhaps win.ini and system.ini).
Who knows, maybe that's enough.

> OP should NOT use a
> registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts to
> fix
> it have failed.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>>
>> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
>> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
>> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
>> special backup measures in place.)
>>
>> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
>> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
>> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
>> between which you can choose to start with the
>> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
>> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
>> system files have been removed or damaged.
>>
>> --
>> Don Phillipson
>> Carlsbad Springs
>> (Ottawa, Canada)

[glee]

Find out exactly what your friend did when they "worked on" your computer.
Did it work normally up through the last time they shut it down?
Did they install or update anything?

In Safe Mode, reset the display settings to a low setting. Your friend may have set
the display to settings it can't support.

They may have changed or updated some driver or software to a configuration that is
unsupported.

Windows 98 or Windows 95 Defaults to Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=143283

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306615

Troubleshooting Windows 95 Using Safe Mode:
http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=156126

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Pleasure" > wrote in message
...
>A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my computer
> won't start and it is in Safe MODE. Can I get out and start my computer
> without the startup disk and if so how?
>
> Thanks

[Jeff Richards]

System.DAT and User.DAT are the registry - that's what gets restored.

Restoring these files without also changing whatever else the friend altered
puts the machine in an inconsistent state. Maybe it's important, maybe not,
but there's always a risk it will make the problem worse rather than better.
We don't even know if the machine really is in safe mode, or if OP simply
thinks it is because the screen resolution has defaulted to 640x480. There
are many simpler fixes that are worth trying before resorting to an action
that can create significant additional problems.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Bill in Co." > wrote in message
...
> Jeff Richards wrote:
>> Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That
>> restore
>> will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup, but
>> will not undo any of the associated changes to files.
>
> EXCEPT for system.dat and user.dat (and perhaps win.ini and system.ini).
> Who knows, maybe that's enough.
>
>> OP should NOT use a
>> registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts to
>> fix
>> it have failed.
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>>>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>>>
>>> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
>>> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
>>> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
>>> special backup measures in place.)
>>>
>>> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
>>> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
>>> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
>>> between which you can choose to start with the
>>> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
>>> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
>>> system files have been removed or damaged.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Don Phillipson
>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>

[Bill in Co.]

Jeff Richards wrote:
> System.DAT and User.DAT are the registry - that's what gets restored.

Right, which is what I said. AND perhaps win.ini and system.ini.

> Restoring these files without also changing whatever else the friend
> altered
> puts the machine in an inconsistent state.

Perhaps, but that really depends on what changes took place. I've done
it on countless occasions, but I know what I am doing when I do it. And
know its limitations.

> Maybe it's important, maybe not,
> but there's always a risk it will make the problem worse rather than
> better.

Slight risk. He can always restore the previous registry backup, if he
wants. (I usually run scanreg once just before doing this so I have a
recent one to fall back to, if needbe).

> We don't even know if the machine really is in safe mode, or if OP simply
> thinks it is because the screen resolution has defaulted to 640x480.

Either way, scanreg /restore may cure that too, without much detailed
troubleshooting (which is more expedient in some cases).

> There are many simpler fixes that are worth trying before resorting to an
> action that can create significant additional problems.

Again, he can always roll back to another backup IF it should be a problem.
I think I must be much more used to running scanreg /restore than you (due
to all the "experiments" I've done on my Win98SE system). So for me, it's
no biggie at all, but as I've said, I think I know what I'm doing, when I do
it. :-) ( I also keep a very diligent track of the SFC log, on a
routine basis, etc, often running SFC, particularly just before and after a
new software installation).


> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
> ...
>> Jeff Richards wrote:
>>> Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That
>>> restore
>>> will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup,
>>> but
>>> will not undo any of the associated changes to files.
>>
>> EXCEPT for system.dat and user.dat (and perhaps win.ini and system.ini).
>> Who knows, maybe that's enough.
>>
>>> OP should NOT use a
>>> registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts to
>>> fix it have failed.
>>> --
>>> Jeff Richards
>>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>>> "Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>>>>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>>>>
>>>> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
>>>> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
>>>> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
>>>> special backup measures in place.)
>>>>
>>>> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
>>>> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
>>>> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
>>>> between which you can choose to start with the
>>>> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
>>>> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
>>>> system files have been removed or damaged.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Don Phillipson
>>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>>> (Ottawa, Canada)

[dave]

> The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306615

Thats not much help.... MS says site is not available.



> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
> http://dts-l.net/
> http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

[MEB[_2_]]

Just a reminder:

We now have the MS 98 PORTAL address that must be used. All prior links to
KB articles have been moved into the portal/general support area of
Microsoft services.

--
MEB
a Peoples' counsel
The former peoplescounsel site has now been removed, presently looking for
another host.
The former service/address will not provide a redirect to whatever the new
site will be..
--
_________

[glee]

"dave" > wrote in message
...
>
>> The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306615
>
> Thats not much help.... MS says site is not available.

<grumble> Microsoft dumps another good KB article. </grumble>

See if this helps...IIRC it is basically what that article stated:

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode (Win 98, ME)

Cause
This behavior can occur if the [Options] section of the Msdos.sys file contains the
following line:
BootSafe=1
This setting forces your computer to start in Safe mode

Solution
To resolve this issue, edit the Msdos.sys file by doing ONE of the following:
- Remove the BootSafe=1 line from the Msdos.sys file
- Change the BootSafe=1 line to BootSafe=0

Follow these steps to edit the Msdos.sys file

Click Start
Point to Find
Click Files or Folders
In the Named box type
msdos.sys
In the Look In box, click the drive on which Windows is installed (usually drive C)
Click Find Now
Right-click the Msdos.sys file
Click Properties
Click to clear the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to remove these attributes from
the Msdos.sys file
Click OK
Right-click the Msdos.sys file
Click Open With
In the Choose the program you want to use box, click Notepad
Click OK

Do one of the following:
Delete the BootSafe=1 line
OR
Change the value in the BootSafe=1 line to BootSafe=0

On the File menu, click Save

Right-click the Msdos.sys file
Click Properties
Click to select the Read-only and Hidden check boxes to set the attributes for the
file
Click OK
Restart your computer

Also see:
The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph08029&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&product=1848388&rule=2081

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

[Jeff Richards]

Without being confident that OP knows what they are doing, recommending a
registry restore without understanding what the problem really is and
without knowing what other changes have occurred, or even why the changes
were needed, is bad advice. And I'm sure you were not seriously suggesting
that a registry restore is simpler than adjusting the screen resolution.

We don't even know if the 'work' the friend did created any system changes.
It may have been no more 'work' than writing a letter.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Bill in Co." > wrote in message
...
> Jeff Richards wrote:
>> System.DAT and User.DAT are the registry - that's what gets restored.
>
> Right, which is what I said. AND perhaps win.ini and system.ini.
>
>> Restoring these files without also changing whatever else the friend
>> altered
>> puts the machine in an inconsistent state.
>
> Perhaps, but that really depends on what changes took place. I've done
> it on countless occasions, but I know what I am doing when I do it. And
> know its limitations.
>
>> Maybe it's important, maybe not,
>> but there's always a risk it will make the problem worse rather than
>> better.
>
> Slight risk. He can always restore the previous registry backup, if he
> wants. (I usually run scanreg once just before doing this so I have a
> recent one to fall back to, if needbe).
>
>> We don't even know if the machine really is in safe mode, or if OP simply
>> thinks it is because the screen resolution has defaulted to 640x480.
>
> Either way, scanreg /restore may cure that too, without much detailed
> troubleshooting (which is more expedient in some cases).
>
>> There are many simpler fixes that are worth trying before resorting to an
>> action that can create significant additional problems.
>
> Again, he can always roll back to another backup IF it should be a
> problem.
> I think I must be much more used to running scanreg /restore than you (due
> to all the "experiments" I've done on my Win98SE system). So for me,
> it's no biggie at all, but as I've said, I think I know what I'm doing,
> when I do it. :-) ( I also keep a very diligent track of the SFC log,
> on a routine basis, etc, often running SFC, particularly just before and
> after a new software installation).
>
>
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Jeff Richards wrote:
>>>> Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That
>>>> restore
>>>> will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup,
>>>> but
>>>> will not undo any of the associated changes to files.
>>>
>>> EXCEPT for system.dat and user.dat (and perhaps win.ini and system.ini).
>>> Who knows, maybe that's enough.
>>>
>>>> OP should NOT use a
>>>> registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts
>>>> to
>>>> fix it have failed.
>>>> --
>>>> Jeff Richards
>>>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>>>> "Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>>>>>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>>>>>
>>>>> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
>>>>> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
>>>>> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
>>>>> special backup measures in place.)
>>>>>
>>>>> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
>>>>> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
>>>>> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
>>>>> between which you can choose to start with the
>>>>> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
>>>>> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
>>>>> system files have been removed or damaged.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Don Phillipson
>>>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>>>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>

[Bill in Co.]

Jeff Richards wrote:
> Without being confident that OP knows what they are doing, recommending a
> registry restore without understanding what the problem really is and
> without knowing what other changes have occurred, or even why the changes
> were needed, is bad advice. And I'm sure you were not seriously
> suggesting
> that a registry restore is simpler than adjusting the screen resolution.

No, of course not, IF that's all it was. But if he was stuck in Safe
Mode because of something his friend did (like messing with msconfig or
whatever), one easy way out could be to simply restore the previous
registry.

Of course, IF that guy messed with some OTHER system files (besides the
registry files and the two .ini files I mentioned), it would be a different
story. But since he apparently doesn't know, I don't see what he has to
lose by trying it. If it isn't resolved, he can always roll back to
previous cab backup.

> We don't even know if the 'work' the friend did created any system
> changes.
> It may have been no more 'work' than writing a letter.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
> ...
>> Jeff Richards wrote:
>>> System.DAT and User.DAT are the registry - that's what gets restored.
>>
>> Right, which is what I said. AND perhaps win.ini and system.ini.
>>
>>> Restoring these files without also changing whatever else the friend
>>> altered
>>> puts the machine in an inconsistent state.
>>
>> Perhaps, but that really depends on what changes took place. I've
>> done
>> it on countless occasions, but I know what I am doing when I do it. And
>> know its limitations.
>>
>>> Maybe it's important, maybe not,
>>> but there's always a risk it will make the problem worse rather than
>>> better.
>>
>> Slight risk. He can always restore the previous registry backup, if he
>> wants. (I usually run scanreg once just before doing this so I have a
>> recent one to fall back to, if needbe).
>>
>>> We don't even know if the machine really is in safe mode, or if OP
>>> simply
>>> thinks it is because the screen resolution has defaulted to 640x480.
>>
>> Either way, scanreg /restore may cure that too, without much detailed
>> troubleshooting (which is more expedient in some cases).
>>
>>> There are many simpler fixes that are worth trying before resorting to
>>> an
>>> action that can create significant additional problems.
>>
>> Again, he can always roll back to another backup IF it should be a
>> problem.
>> I think I must be much more used to running scanreg /restore than you
>> (due
>> to all the "experiments" I've done on my Win98SE system). So for me,
>> it's no biggie at all, but as I've said, I think I know what I'm doing,
>> when I do it. :-) ( I also keep a very diligent track of the SFC
>> log,
>> on a routine basis, etc, often running SFC, particularly just before and
>> after a new software installation).
>>
>>
>>> Jeff Richards
>>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>>> "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Jeff Richards wrote:
>>>>> Starting in safe mode is not a basis for restoring a registry. That
>>>>> restore
>>>>> will wipe out any changes in registry settings since the last backup,
>>>>> but
>>>>> will not undo any of the associated changes to files.
>>>>
>>>> EXCEPT for system.dat and user.dat (and perhaps win.ini and
>>>> system.ini).
>>>> Who knows, maybe that's enough.
>>>>
>>>>> OP should NOT use a
>>>>> registry restore for such a simple problem, unless all other attempts
>>>>> to
>>>>> fix it have failed.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Jeff Richards
>>>>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>>>>> "Don Phillipson" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> "Pleasure" > wrote in message
>>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A friend worked on my computer while I was out. When I got home my
>>>>>>> computer won't start and it is in Safe MODE.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We interpret this to mean your PC will start but
>>>>>> only in Safe Mode and you want to know how to
>>>>>> start Windows in Normal Mode (and you have no
>>>>>> special backup measures in place.)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It is worth trying a reboot to DOS and
>>>>>> c:\windows\scanreg /restore
>>>>>> when you ought to see a menu of 5 earllier dates
>>>>>> between which you can choose to start with the
>>>>>> Registry as it used to be. Even if Windows does
>>>>>> not start OK the error messages may tell you what
>>>>>> system files have been removed or damaged.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Don Phillipson
>>>>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>>>>> (Ottawa, Canada)

[glee]

"MEB" <meb@not > wrote in message
...
> Just a reminder:
>
> We now have the MS 98 PORTAL address that must be used. All prior links to
> KB articles have been moved into the portal/general support area of
> Microsoft services.

Meaning? The KB article address format I am using still works fine.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

[MEB[_2_]]

Sorry Glen, more of a general reminder that many of the prior links that
have been posted here will not work correctly...

--
MEB

--
_________



"glee" > wrote in message
...
| "MEB" <meb@not > wrote in message
| ...
| > Just a reminder:
| >
| > We now have the MS 98 PORTAL address that must be used. All prior links
to
| > KB articles have been moved into the portal/general support area of
| > Microsoft services.
|
| Meaning? The KB article address format I am using still works fine.
| --
| Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
| http://dts-l.net/
| http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
|

[glee]

Yep....some of the older MSKB link formats work, and some don't. It would be nice
if they stopped playing with it, but it seems some folks at MS like to break things
if they are not broken.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/


"MEB" <meb@not > wrote in message
...
> Sorry Glen, more of a general reminder that many of the prior links that
> have been posted here will not work correctly...
>
> --
> MEB
>
> --
> _________
>
>
>
> "glee" > wrote in message
> ...
> | "MEB" <meb@not > wrote in message
> | ...
> | > Just a reminder:
> | >
> | > We now have the MS 98 PORTAL address that must be used. All prior links
> to
> | > KB articles have been moved into the portal/general support area of
> | > Microsoft services.
> |
> | Meaning? The KB article address format I am using still works fine.
> | --
> | Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
> | http://dts-l.net/
> | http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
> |
>
>