MSConfig won't run & PC only starts in safe mode

I have a problem with Win2000. I recently used the MSConfig to do away with some icons by the clock & accidently unchecked a startup function. Now my computer only starts in Safe Mode. I am unable to access the MSConfig in safemode. Can someone please direct me on how to correct this problem. Thankyou

 

Hi GoodWrench29 and welcome.

Since msconfig didn't ship as part of 2K you must be using either the XP version or a 9X one. Which?

Also, as stated in our posting rule #3 please use a meaningful title for your threads. Since you are new I have just changed this one for you.

 

MSConfig won't run & PC starts on in safe mode

Newt,
Thanks for replying. I downloaded the Win 98 version MSConfig. I unchecked one of the programs used to start Win2000. Now it will only start in Safe Mode. And I can't access MSConfig anymore. Please help.

Brian

 

I'm more comfortable with the XP version running on 2K although the 98 version usually works.

If you can say exactly what you stopped, there should be a way via the cmd window (DOS looking window) to force it back to life.

 

Newt,

I was able to install Windows XP over Windows 2000. Everything works great except now I have a choice about which program I was to run @ start-up. How can I erase Windows 2000 from the Hard Drive? All of the programs I had on there are still there when looking at C: drive. But none work. Norton Antivirus, Microsoft Office, etc. Is it safe to delete them even though they aren't an operational program. Let me know.

Brian

 

Don't delete anything just yet. If you installed XP over 2K then 2K really doesn't exist. The WINNT stuff would now be XP.

XP, if done from the beginning, uses Windows as the name for the system folder but since 2K used WINNT, XP doesn't change it.

If the main issue is still having the option to boot from 2K, you probably just need to edit a line or two out of your boot.ini file. Post a copy of yours here and we can give you specifics on what to remove or change. It's a simple text file but essential to start the OS so you gotta be a little careful.

It is on C:\ and is hidden (as well as read-only) but you should be able to open it in notepad to copy the contents and past them here. start~run~notepad.exe c:\boot.ini should do it.

 

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT= "Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect /safeboot:minimal /noguiboot /bootlog /basevideo /sos



Newt, Is this what you were looking for? If not let me know.

Thanks Brian

 

It is exactly what I was looking for.

Now an additional question. It appears from the file that you still have a WINNT folder and a Windows folder. Is that the case? If so I'd guess you installed XP in addition to 2K rather than replacing it. With both of them on the same partition I'd expect some issues.

Save a copy of the boot.ini file under a different name. Then change boot.ini away from read only so you can make changes and remove the 2K line(s) so the finished product looks like

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

After that reboot the PC. If all is well it will start up in XP. If not, it won't start at all but easy enough to fix that if the need arises.

Post back with results and info about WINNT/Windows.

 

Newt, Is the below line, the line that I need to erase from the notepad? I don't want to do anything until Iam certain. Thanks


multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT= "Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect /safeboot:minimal /noguiboot /bootlog /basevideo /sos

 

That's the one.

The other option would be to simply edit the 2000 load line since the way it is now will be forcing the safe mode boot if you use it.

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT= "Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect /safeboot:minimal /noguiboot /bootlog /basevideo /sos
can be edited to remove all after /fastdetect so you would be deleting /safeboot:minimal /noguiboot /bootlog /basevideo /sos.

With a renamed copy of your current boot.ini file and in the unlikely event that things go badly, you can boot from the install CD to the recovery console, delete the modified version and rename the saved version back to boot.ini and be where you are now.

Do you now have both Windows and WINNT on the PC?

 

Newt,
Sorry I wasn't able to get back to you. I have been really busy. I want to thank you for all the assistance you have given me on getting my computer up & running. Everything you have told me worked excellent. Thanx again
Brian

 

Good to hear things are doing well.

 

boot.ini

where is it in win2000pro.

i'm having the same [problem with 98se/2000 dual boot on the same partition.

 

Read the above. Also post a message to the guy that helped myself on my computer. He assisted me. And it works awesome