Boots to Safe Mode but With No Icons or Start button

embassy.com · 05-01-2005, 09:48 PM

This machine boots to my Win 98SE desktop just fine but when I boot to Safe Mode all I see is my wall paper in VGA quality and the words Safe Mode in each of the four corners but NO ICONS and NO START BUTTON.
In order to turn off the machine I have to Alt-Ctrl-Delete which causes the Close Program box to appear but showing no programs, it is empty.
After about a minute Alt-Cntrl-Del causes the close Program box to show msgsrv32.exe (not responding).
Selecting Shut Down from the Close Program Box causes a Box with no title to appear asking if we want to wait or shut down the program.
Select Shut Down.
Another box comes up that Says Spooler (wait or shut down). Select shut down and an instrution apperars "It Is Now Safe To Shut Down Your Computer. I push the machines off button to shut down.

I have run my updated virus software and scandisk and defrag. No Problems Found.

silentmind17 · 05-02-2005, 07:08 AM

you can try booting from a windows 98 second edition boot disk (emergency disk) and start the computer with cd rom support and then launch the windows 98 setup from a 98 cd and reinstall windows 98 on top of itself..... that is what i would do

embassy.com · 05-03-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentmind17

you can try booting from a windows 98 second edition boot disk (emergency disk) and start the computer with cd rom support and then launch the windows 98 setup from a 98 cd and reinstall windows 98 on top of itself..... that is what i would do

Will this wipe out all the other non system programs on my computer? Iv'e got a lot of important business related stuff on this machine.

Thanks

**Terrister** · 05-03-2005, 06:20 AM

No, this will not wipe out what is there unless it is a restore cd and not Windows 98 install. It installs over what is there and should fix it.

Somebody has to say this..... You need to backup any data you can not do without. This could have been a problem that did make it where you could not recover your important business related stuff. I for one hate to be the tech that has to walk into a place and say it is all gone and I can not get it back. If it is important, BACK IT UP!!!!!!!!!!

Inactive · 05-03-2005, 06:39 AM

i'm wondering what the problem really is? you said originally that it boots to your desktop just fine. so will the pc boot in normal mode and everything is just fine or does it boot in safe mode all the time? because if this only happens when you specify safe mode, well that sounds normal to me because the graphic drivers (along with most others) are not loaded.

if you do want to do a 'top install' of windows, you'll need to rename the win.com file to something else. i normally call it win.old. when you start windows setup it will ask you where to install the OS. it will default the folder "c:\windows.000" but you should specify "c:\windows" this is where the OS is already, but that's okay, because you want to replace the old OS so there is no point in having 2 folders with windows files on the HD. i think windows can get all confused if there is 2 anyway.

but before i'd do anything i'd take an image of the partition or complete HD using something like norton ghost. that way you can revert it back to exactly the way it was. be sure your data is okay with what ever program you use to copy it with.

embassy.com · 05-03-2005, 11:36 AM

Thanks for your responses.

This only happens when I select Safe Mode. It then boots to Safe Mode, shows my wallpaper in VGA mode, Says Safe Mode in all four corners but shows no program Icons, No Start Button, & nothing appears in the Close program box when I do an Alt-cntrl-del.

Selecting normal allows it to boot to the windows desktop.

I really should have explained how this happened. I thought this problem might be common but evidently it’s not.

I have to tell you that I always used defrag & scandisk & AVG Grisoft antivirus as well as spybot & Ad-Aware SE at least once a week.

I was having a problem with a Brother 4 in 1 printer/fax not accepting faxes. The guy at Brother Tech Support was guiding me through the specific order to delete the Brother software. While deleting the last program my computer locked up. Even Alt-Cntrl-Del didn’t work. I shut it down with the off button & rebooted. When it came up I got a black screen with white letters stating that either my registry or the system.ini was looking for a brmemory file. The guy at Brother had no idea what the file was or what to do. Later I found out it was a Brother file & reinstalled the software then uninstalled it. This solved some of the problems but I had to work my way though literally days of system crashes. In fact I was having to select the command prompt from the startup menu & type in win to get it to start. That worked about one out of 3 times. I finally sort of stabilized it but then discovered that Safe Mode was showing with no start button & no icons. The machine continued to crash with blue screens and the registry utility sometimes indicating a problem & saying it was restoring an old registry.

I was ready to move to Oregon where euthanasia & physician assisted suicide is legal.

After several therapy sessions & calls to the suicide hotline I bought a copy of Norton SystemWorks (free with rebate at Staples). I was amazed that after running a bunch of its tools my windows desktop straightened itself out and I haven’t had any crashes or problems since. In fact I think it is running better than it has in years. You could say that SystemWorks is a lifesaver.
Sadly it was not able to fix the problem with Safe Mode.

That brings me to where I am today.

I’m not sure if SystemWorks includes Ghost. I don’t think it does. I’ll have to check it out.

You think that a “Top Install” of windows will do it?

Has anyone ever heard of this problem of the desktop working fine but Safe Mode being corrupted before?

Inactive · 05-04-2005, 04:07 AM

i have done a top install before (a couple of times) of windows 98 with no problems. all programs were left where they were with their data and i could continue as normal, with my problems fixed. i haven't used windows 98 in a couple of years and i don't know for sure that this will correct the safe mode problem you are having.

be sure to back up data before you do anything to the HD. well you should be backing up you data to some form of media anyway, but i use norton ghost to take an image of the C partition before i'd do anything to it. i would write my C partition (i have my HD partitioned 6 times) to an image file on a spare HD and if things really go wrong you can write the image file back to the C partition, leaving it the way you had it.

embassy.com · 05-10-2005, 03:55 PM

I hate to ask such a stupid question but how do I back up a hard drive with 5 Gigs of stuff on it?
I only have a CD burner in it.
Do you back up the entire C drive or just portions of it?
Sounds like a real time consuming Pain.
Some of the programs Ive got the disks for but some Ive downloaded from the internet.
Is their a quick way to do this?
I have about 1.5 Gigs free.

embassy.com · 05-20-2005, 06:13 PM

WELL . . . .
I never did the windows reinstall since I couldnt figure out how to back up every freeking thing on this machine.

However, I finally went to Compaq - HP Technical Support where you chat on line with a technician.

There was a small but important detail that I failed to include in my explanation above. I reinstalled the Brother Printer software before realizing that I had a problem with SAFE MODE.

The HP Tech recommended I uninstall the brother software & disconnect the printer. I did this & IT WORKED. Everything is back to normal.

Now it will be interesting to see what happens when I reinstall the Printer Software.

The Brother MFC8500 printer is absolutely a great machine & a great value. You can easily refill the toner cartridges for less than $10 & its good for another 6000 sheets. Ive refilled a Brother 1240 with the same engine & toner cartridge at least 10 times. Still works perfectly.
BUT Brother Tech Support Stinks. They couldnt get off the phone fast enough when they found out they screwed things up. No one there knew what to do. The Sofware developer was suppose to call but he never did.

embassy.com · 05-20-2005, 08:38 PM

I Spoke To Soon ! !

I reloaded the Brother Software & the Safe Mode problem came back. Not sure what to do now.

Any Ideas?

Help

dai · 05-20-2005, 09:15 PM

in the run box type
sfc
and press enter

embassy.com · 05-21-2005, 08:03 AM

I started system file checker but it is tough to use.

- It asks for decisions about files that I don't think I'm qualified to make.
Example: Do you always decide to retain the newest file with the largest version number?

- It just keeps finding files & you have no idea how many there will be & how long it will take.

HP is advising that I do a windows reinstall.

Which is better?

I'm just worried about my 6 Gigs of programs & data.

What do you think.

dai · 05-21-2005, 10:45 AM

a reinstall if you can back up your programs first
the latest

05-01-2005, 09:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	Boots to Safe Mode but With No Icons or Start button This machine boots to my Win 98SE desktop just fine but when I boot to Safe Mode all I see is my wall paper in VGA quality and the words Safe Mode in each of the four corners but NO ICONS and NO START BUTTON. In order to turn off the machine I have to Alt-Ctrl-Delete which causes the Close Program box to appear but showing no programs, it is empty. After about a minute Alt-Cntrl-Del causes the close Program box to show msgsrv32.exe (not responding). Selecting Shut Down from the Close Program Box causes a Box with no title to appear asking if we want to wait or shut down the program. Select Shut Down. Another box comes up that Says Spooler (wait or shut down). Select shut down and an instrution apperars "It Is Now Safe To Shut Down Your Computer. I push the machines off button to shut down. I have run my updated virus software and scandisk and defrag. No Problems Found.

05-03-2005, 11:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	Thanks for your responses. This only happens when I select Safe Mode. It then boots to Safe Mode, shows my wallpaper in VGA mode, Says Safe Mode in all four corners but shows no program Icons, No Start Button, & nothing appears in the Close program box when I do an Alt-cntrl-del. Selecting normal allows it to boot to the windows desktop. I really should have explained how this happened. I thought this problem might be common but evidently it’s not. I have to tell you that I always used defrag & scandisk & AVG Grisoft antivirus as well as spybot & Ad-Aware SE at least once a week. I was having a problem with a Brother 4 in 1 printer/fax not accepting faxes. The guy at Brother Tech Support was guiding me through the specific order to delete the Brother software. While deleting the last program my computer locked up. Even Alt-Cntrl-Del didn’t work. I shut it down with the off button & rebooted. When it came up I got a black screen with white letters stating that either my registry or the system.ini was looking for a brmemory file. The guy at Brother had no idea what the file was or what to do. Later I found out it was a Brother file & reinstalled the software then uninstalled it. This solved some of the problems but I had to work my way though literally days of system crashes. In fact I was having to select the command prompt from the startup menu & type in win to get it to start. That worked about one out of 3 times. I finally sort of stabilized it but then discovered that Safe Mode was showing with no start button & no icons. The machine continued to crash with blue screens and the registry utility sometimes indicating a problem & saying it was restoring an old registry. I was ready to move to Oregon where euthanasia & physician assisted suicide is legal. After several therapy sessions & calls to the suicide hotline I bought a copy of Norton SystemWorks (free with rebate at Staples). I was amazed that after running a bunch of its tools my windows desktop straightened itself out and I haven’t had any crashes or problems since. In fact I think it is running better than it has in years. You could say that SystemWorks is a lifesaver. Sadly it was not able to fix the problem with Safe Mode. That brings me to where I am today. I’m not sure if SystemWorks includes Ghost. I don’t think it does. I’ll have to check it out. You think that a “Top Install” of windows will do it? Has anyone ever heard of this problem of the desktop working fine but Safe Mode being corrupted before? Last edited by embassy.com; 05-03-2005 at 11:54 AM.

05-20-2005, 06:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	Problem RESOLVED ! ! WELL . . . . I never did the windows reinstall since I couldnt figure out how to back up every freeking thing on this machine. However, I finally went to Compaq - HP Technical Support where you chat on line with a technician. There was a small but important detail that I failed to include in my explanation above. I reinstalled the Brother Printer software before realizing that I had a problem with SAFE MODE. The HP Tech recommended I uninstall the brother software & disconnect the printer. I did this & IT WORKED. Everything is back to normal. Now it will be interesting to see what happens when I reinstall the Printer Software. The Brother MFC8500 printer is absolutely a great machine & a great value. You can easily refill the toner cartridges for less than $10 & its good for another 6000 sheets. Ive refilled a Brother 1240 with the same engine & toner cartridge at least 10 times. Still works perfectly. BUT Brother Tech Support Stinks. They couldnt get off the phone fast enough when they found out they screwed things up. No one there knew what to do. The Sofware developer was suppose to call but he never did.

05-20-2005, 08:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	I Spoke To Soon ! ! I Spoke To Soon ! ! I reloaded the Brother Software & the Safe Mode problem came back. Not sure what to do now. Any Ideas? Help

05-20-2005, 09:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,702 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	in the run box type sfc and press enter __________________

05-02-2005, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
silentmind17 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 32 OS: XP PRO SP2	you can try booting from a windows 98 second edition boot disk (emergency disk) and start the computer with cd rom support and then launch the windows 98 setup from a 98 cd and reinstall windows 98 on top of itself..... that is what i would do

05-03-2005, 06:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	No, this will not wipe out what is there unless it is a restore cd and not Windows 98 install. It installs over what is there and should fix it. Somebody has to say this..... You need to backup any data you can not do without. This could have been a problem that did make it where you could not recover your important business related stuff. I for one hate to be the tech that has to walk into a place and say it is all gone and I can not get it back. If it is important, BACK IT UP!!!!!!!!!!

05-03-2005, 06:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Inactive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,704 OS: ~	i'm wondering what the problem really is? you said originally that it boots to your desktop just fine. so will the pc boot in normal mode and everything is just fine or does it boot in safe mode all the time? because if this only happens when you specify safe mode, well that sounds normal to me because the graphic drivers (along with most others) are not loaded. if you do want to do a 'top install' of windows, you'll need to rename the win.com file to something else. i normally call it win.old. when you start windows setup it will ask you where to install the OS. it will default the folder "c:\windows.000" but you should specify "c:\windows" this is where the OS is already, but that's okay, because you want to replace the old OS so there is no point in having 2 folders with windows files on the HD. i think windows can get all confused if there is 2 anyway. but before i'd do anything i'd take an image of the partition or complete HD using something like norton ghost. that way you can revert it back to exactly the way it was. be sure your data is okay with what ever program you use to copy it with.

05-04-2005, 04:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
Inactive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,704 OS: ~	i have done a top install before (a couple of times) of windows 98 with no problems. all programs were left where they were with their data and i could continue as normal, with my problems fixed. i haven't used windows 98 in a couple of years and i don't know for sure that this will correct the safe mode problem you are having. be sure to back up data before you do anything to the HD. well you should be backing up you data to some form of media anyway, but i use norton ghost to take an image of the C partition before i'd do anything to it. i would write my C partition (i have my HD partitioned 6 times) to an image file on a spare HD and if things really go wrong you can write the image file back to the C partition, leaving it the way you had it.

05-10-2005, 03:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	I hate to ask such a stupid question but how do I back up a hard drive with 5 Gigs of stuff on it? I only have a CD burner in it. Do you back up the entire C drive or just portions of it? Sounds like a real time consuming Pain. Some of the programs Ive got the disks for but some Ive downloaded from the internet. Is their a quick way to do this? I have about 1.5 Gigs free.

05-21-2005, 08:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
embassy.com Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 7 OS: Win 98SE	Help with SFC I started system file checker but it is tough to use. - It asks for decisions about files that I don't think I'm qualified to make. Example: Do you always decide to retain the newest file with the largest version number? - It just keeps finding files & you have no idea how many there will be & how long it will take. HP is advising that I do a windows reinstall. Which is better? I'm just worried about my 6 Gigs of programs & data. What do you think.

05-21-2005, 10:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,702 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	a reinstall if you can back up your programs first the latest __________________