Dell, XP Home will not start in safe mode

Just for laughs Martin, why don't you delete that Verto device listed in Device Manager, then click "Refresh" and let Xp put in generic drivers. That's worth a shot I think. My thoughts are that VGA video must be working when booting since you can see the bios splash screen and the F8 menu. It's when Windows try to run VGA mode that the trouble appears. Points to a Windows (user) supplied driver, no?

BTW, SOS also stood for one of the best meals that the US Army offered, although that's not saying much. It stood for Stuff On a Shingle with some other word often used for "Stuff." Chipped beef on toast, if you're squeamish.

 

Hey Charles, thanks for the link, I went to the Dell site and did a search on "Windows won't start in safe mode ". There were about twenty posts, most of which had no response, but the one that seemed to have the most, on a machine that would boot normally but not in safe mode, the advice was to do a repair install. It didn't seem to indicate it was fixed.

Dude, I have uninstalled the Verto card in device manager and reinstalled it, both by using control panel, add new hardware, and also by shutting down and letting Windows find and install it. No Joy, SOS.

I would try a repair install, but it turns out the only CD my friend has is the diagnostics, not a recovery CD. He got the machine from one of those "rent to own" places and never got a recovery CD. Which probably explains why sfc did not look for files.

Next question: Can you download and create a recovery CD from Dell's site? I will poke around there and see what I can come up with.

I was also wondering, can you do a repair install using any XP CD? I could boot that machine with my CD and try a repair install, just don't know what MSFT would allow to happen given their activation scheme and Dell's proprietary ways.

Also, I now have the 256MB additional memory for the Dell machine, not yet installed, but after install, I may just go back to the onboard graphics, see what happens. I just hope if I have to do that it will boot into safe mode. Then I could give the machine back to him with a clear conscience. It would make my wife happy to get it off of the dining room table.

Dude, I went to Military School in high school and am very familiar with that delicacy "SOS "


Take Care,

Martin

 

Well, things have gone from bad to worse. I really need some help now. Looking around the Dell web site for a recovery CD, I came upon a video driver update for the intel onboard graphics.

In light of the fact I had just installed the additional memory, I thought I would update the onboard graphics and run that, take the PCI card out.

So I did, I updated the graphics drivers, enabled the onboard and disabled the Verto card.

Did the required reboot, and guess what? The first thing that comes up on the Video screen is the cursor, then the logon. No BIOS post screen. Figured it to be a fluke, rebooted twice more, no BIOS post screen.

So, figured go back to the Verto PCI grapics. Did that, did the reboot, Guess what? No BIOS post screen, no Windows logo progress bar screen. Get cursor then logon.

Rolled back the intel graphics drivers, Nope, same results.

I tried to F2 into the BIOS on start, no help, machine just sits there. So, can't get into BIOS, can't change boot order, can't even select safe mode, let alone start it.

I'm about to go out and buy my friend a new machine. Help?

Martin

 

Now, I really need some help!

Good Morning All: Not having gotten a reply to my question:

on my friend's Dell Dimension 2400, I decided to try it.

Using my own, not from Dell, slipstreamed XP Home SP2 CD, I attempted to do a repair/upgrade install over the existing copy.

The install program goes down to 34 minutes left, installing devices, then BSoD. Tried it three times, same results. BSoD says to remove any newly installed hardware/software. The only hardware installed is the drive and DSL modem. Can't delete any software, can't get into Windows. Reboot takes it back into the setup program.

Is the BSoD being generated by the fact it is a Dell machine and it is not the Dell CD? Log says: "Setup encountered an error while trying to set system security" And: "An Extended Error has occurred"


The only alternative that I can think of is a clean install, which doesn't upset me too much, but, will XP's activation accept the Dell/XP product key on that machine for an installation that used a different CD? Or, will it continue to display the BSoD?

And, for a clean install, if the product key will be accepted, should I delete the Dell 31MB partition on the front of the "C" drive? And, delete the "C" partition and install in the un-partitioned space? Again, will the Dell Product Key be accepted?

Anybody got any ideas/help with this??

I'd hate to have to go out and buy him an XP CD, but I will do that if necessary as I'm the one who messed his machine up.

I can tell you, this is the first, only and last time I will ever volunteer to fix somebody else's machine!


Some help would be greatly appreciated.

Martin

 

Repair/Clean install on Dell, use other CD??

Good Morning All: Not having gotten a reply to my question in another post, I thought I'd try here again. I know you are not supposed to double post, but I am getting desperate. So Arie, please forgive me.

edit note: nothing to forgive Martin but I did merge your new thread with the original one now that you have folks working with you. Hopefully they can all find this thread (smart folks) and it will save jumping around to locate the information. Good luck with the project. Newt

My friend, having gotten his machine from one of those rent to own places does not have a recovery CD, the install is legitimate and the machine has the MSFT sticker with the product key.

So here is the question again?
Quote:
can you do a repair install using any XP CD?

on my friend's Dell Dimension 2400, I decided to try it as the machine had problems which defied correction.

Using my own, not from Dell, slipstreamed XP Home SP2 CD, I attempted to do a repair/upgrade install over the existing copy.

The install program goes down to 34 minutes left, installing devices, then BSoD. Tried it three times, same results. BSoD says to remove any newly installed hardware/software. The only hardware installed is the drive and DSL modem. Can't delete any software, can't get into Windows.

Reboot takes it back into the setup program.

Is the BSoD being generated by the fact it is a Dell machine and it is not the Dell CD? Log says: "Setup encountered an error while trying to set system security" And: "An Extended Error has occurred"


The only alternative that I can think of is a clean install, which doesn't upset me too much, but, will XP's activation accept the Dell/XP product key on that machine for an installation that used a different CD? Or, will it continue to display the BSoD?

And, for a clean install, if the product key will be accepted, should I delete the Dell 31MB partition on the front of the "C" drive? And, delete the "C" partition and install in the un-partitioned space? Again, will the Dell Product Key be accepted?

Anybody got any ideas/help with this??

I'd hate to have to go out and buy him an XP CD, but I will do that if necessary as I'm the one who messed his machine up.

I can tell you, this is the first, only and last time I will ever volunteer to fix somebody else's machine!

If you want to see what transpired before, you can read the other post here

Some help would be greatly appreciated.

Martin

 

Oh, the joys of working on OEMs... And you know how I feel about Dell from reading my posts about my Dad's computer!

generally, yes, if you have the valid code, and match Home w/Home, Pro w/ Pro etc


I seldom go for a repair install. By the time XP is broken, a repair will just carry over existing problems. There are people, and sentient machines like Catastrophy, who do not agree with me on that subject. I opt for the clean install when possible.

XP does an amazing job of compensating for those drivers that live in that small partition. I would delete it, without remorse, as long as your friend isn't attached to all the garbage Dell put on his machine before he bought it. In fact, that little OEM partition might be what is causing the BSODs, if the info in it and the new CD are fighting with each other.

If I were doing this, I would clear CMOS, and slap that XP disk of yours in, do the long format on the partitions, setting them up the way he wants them, and reinstall XP clean, using his product key when prompted. Any Dell drivers he needs are available on the net. If the BIOS needs flashed, it can be done after the install.

Having an OEM is a good argument for buying disk imaging software!

Johanna

 

Gee Johanna, thanks for the reply. I feel a little less depressed now than I did a few moments ago.

Your mentioning imaging drives, I did that, but the image contains the original problem of failing to boot to Safe Mode.

I could restore that image, but being unable to fix the safe mode problem, or the no BIOS screen problem, I think I'd rather do a clean install, without the Dell partition.

Thanks, I am forever in your debt. If you ever need anything, computer related or not, remember my email address.

Got to go and pick up my truck, in the shop, $700. Ouch. Will attempt the install and post back later.

Martin

 

I know how you feel Martin. Sometimes the apparent easy help for a friend turns so sour it makes you want to give up on trying to help people at all.

You have two reasonable options. If neither will work, you have a MOBO problem.

Option # 1. Do a parallel install of Windows using your disk and his Product Key. That will save all his data.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdparallell/index.htm

Option # 2. Use his Dell Recovery CD and attempt to put the drive back to factory condition. All data will be lost so take steps to back up the drive with an imaging program.

If neither of these methods work, it's a sure sign of hardware failure and would point to a MOBO problem, perhaps BIOS CMOS chip related.

Hang tough. Buying an XP CD would be a waste of dough.

Ps. Disconnect that DSL modem first.

 

I'd be careful and not wipe that drive until you know it'll except his key. My guess is it won't. I've tried this quite a few times and have yet to find a regular XP or even 98 Cd that will accept an OEM key. Likewise, of those that I've messed with, the OEM ones have never wanted to accept a key from a reg windows disk.

My guess is that it won't work. Check with your friend and make sure his computer didn't come with a disk. Or has he lost it? Up until now, every Dell system that I've messed with has come with both a restore disk and a regular windows disk. I know of several that have purchased them recently, one as recent as this past week and they all came with both types of disks. If to your knowledge he hasn't lost it, make sure he doesn't have one. A lot of people don't even know what the disks that come with the computer are for.

I've heard it often: "Do you have a windows disk "?
"Umm, I don't know ".

 

Well, I took a second look at your post and now I have a question. When you did the repair install, my understanding is you use your XP cd. Is that right? If so, during the repair were you prompted for the product key? If you were, and it accepted his, then I'd say you'd probably be OK in the activation part. The first time I read your post I missed the activation part and thought you were asking if it would accept the product key when you're prompted to enter it during the XP installation.

If it does except it during the installation, it would be the first one that I know of that will. I haven't tried it hundreds of times or anything like that but I've tried it often enough that I don't bother trying anymore.

I haven't seen the other post yet so I'll take a look at it. I have to ask though. Have you eliminated the possibility of a bad keyboard? I don't know what key the Dell uses to enter the bios but to get to safe mode you use F8. My thinking is, what if the bios setup key is also F8 and the key isn't working. There's nothing that can go wrong with windows that will have any effect on your ability to get into the bios. There's no connection between the two at all in this regard.

 

Ok, forget my question. I see by looking at the first part of the other thread the key is working fine. I should have looked at the thread first. I'll leave the discussion for that problem in that thread.

 

Hey Zander, thanks for your interest and reply. This darn Dell machine has got me up against the wall. Mostly from my own uninformed stupid mistakes.

As far as the product key is concerned, I was able to get into the update install with just agreeing to their EULA. It never even asked for a product key.

Somewhere along the line, I deleted the Dell partition that resides on the disc in front of the "C" drive. Then I realized that when I did the image with Acronis, I did not image that partition. Not that I know that I could have.

Now that the Dell partition is gone and consequently the install program can't find the previous installation of Windows, I'm pretty sure that the next go round will be asking for the product key.

In any event, since my only option at this time is a clean install, I'm just hoping that Johanna is right. And since it is not my machine, I don't want to loose all his data, pictures, music, etc.

So my thought is, I have a spare 40GB drive, I'll pull his current drive, put my spare drive in there, install Windows, if Dell will let me, then put his back in as a slave and copy his data etc., then image it back to his 80GB drive.

What to you think??

Martin

 

The fact that it doesn't find a previous installation of windows shouldn't be too big a problem. It should ask you to insert a qualifying windows cd (or something like that). Just feed it any old win98 disk. If you have one, use that one. If not, find somebody who has one you can borrow. Although it's probably not legal according to the EULA, It seems to me there's no harm done if he already had XP in the first place.

This should work but there's no guarantees there won't be some sort of glitch. Also, if that one doesn't have windows on it, you'll still have the same problem. I'd first try installing it on his drive. Just have a 98 cd handy. Maybe I'll be wrong about the product key. Wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. Let me know if it works. I have my doubts though.

 

Thanks Zander, I cannot install on his drive without wiping it. And, it won't hurt anything to try on the spare drive. I think it will work too, so here goes, I'll post back results.

Thanks again

Martin

 

That would be good enough reason. I should have thought about that myself. Guess I'm a bit slow this morning. Think it's time to head for the fish house. It's tough to put my foot in mouth out there. The boots I wear won't fit. Good Luck!

 

Whoa! Do you have a good image of his stuff? Then install XP and use the image makes sense. If you have already run through set up, chances are his data could be gone, clean or repair install. Zander is right, Windows would not affect BIOS or safe mode, which was the original problem.

Did you see where I said clear CMOS? I would have done that before a repair install of XP. In any case, I would certainly do it before any more attempts to get XP on there are made.

Johanna
off to read the other thread again...

 

Hi Johanna: Well, it appears that Zander was right about more than one thing then.

The Dell Product Key will not work on a clean install of XP from non Dell CD. I swapped out the drive, did a clean install on a different formatted drive, ran complete install, asked for Product Key, no go. At least, I could not make it go.

Yes, I have a good image (I think, never know 'till you try to use it) It is on a partition on the original drive.

Here is the next development in this saga: A dear friend of mine furnished me with a copy of XP Pro, along with a valid license, for which I will be eternally grateful.

Having seemingly run out of options, I used that CD and now have a clean, working copy of XP Pro installed on his machine.

There are only two things left on the machine that belong to Dell. One is the BIOS, complete with splash screen.

The other is all the onboard hardware. They are the ethernet, V92 modem, graphics, etc. None of which do I have the drivers for. All of which are disabled in XP Pro's Device Manager. Windows tells me the drivers are not on the Dell CD's, two of them, that on their label say: "Drivers ". Search of the CD's turns up nothing on the ethernet drivers, does turn up V92 driver install program which promptly tells me that their modem is not installed in the machine. AARRRRGH! I can't get the machine online to look for the drivers.

I'll tell you, I am worn out from doing battle with that machine for most of the day. I am computered out again, too tired and discouraged to fight it anymore today.

If anybody has any suggestions on what to do about the drivers, particularly the ethernet, Please let me know.

Or, can the Acronis image be written to the drive currently in the machine. If so, I'll donate it to him and leave his 80GB in there connected as a slave drive.

Take Care

Martin

 

I just had a look and you can get all the drivers you need at Dells web site. The problem is, there's more than one type in each category. There's two different ways to search for them though. I had to search for them by computer type. There's also a box where you enter the service tag number which you should be able to get off the computer. They've got instructions that show you how to find it and what it looks like. It's supposed to be either on the side of the computer or on the back. I could be wrong but I think that if you search by the service tag number it'll just show you the drivers available for that particular computer. I know that's how it worked with Gateway computers years ago anyway and I'm guessing it'll be kind of the same type of thing.

I've included a link to the search page but I kind of doubt it'll work. In order to access their tech support you have to open an account. It's no big deal though. I'm guessing the link will just take you to a log on page. If so, I guess you'll have to create an account. If you have trouble finding them let me know. I'll try to help somehow.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

One more thought if this doesn't pan out. You could try using Everest to see if it can tell you what kind of modem etc. you have.

 

Thanks Zander, I'll download Everest to a floppy on this machine and install on that one. Find out what the hardware really is. Have to do the same thing with the drivers if I can find the right ones.

I have that service tag number, so I'll poke around on Dell's site tomorrow when I'm fresh and maybe I can get my brain is working a little better.

I have some thoughts on Dell and how they set up their machines with all the proprietary stuff, but my dear departed mother's teachings about being a gentleman prevail. So, I'll just be quiet and keep it to myself.

thanks a bunch to you and all who pitched in on this. I surely couldn't make it through this without all of your help. I just hope you know how important each and every one of you are to me.

Take care,

Martin

 

Good news and new question?

Hi all: I was able to find all drivers, no help from Dell, even with correct service tag number, the list of drivers on their site for this specific machine did not match the hardware. Extensive web search, thanks to Google was able to find drivers matched to hardware.

So I now have a full working copy of XP Pro on his machine. No yellow in Device Manager. All updated, all spy, ad, BHOs, virus, security programs installed and working.

The new question is: Can I use the "Documents and Settings Transfer Wizard" to get his old data to this new install. His original drive is now a slave drive to my drive that the XP Pro installation resides on.

My intention is when all is done to image the "C" on my drive and restore it to his. Should work?

I just read this and I can see it could be confusing.

OK, see if I can explain it better.

I want to re install his drive and take mine out. I intend for his drive to be the only drive in his machine. Current setup:

C drive on my HDD now master in his machine, no partitions
C drive on his HDD now slave (E) Contains old XP Home installation
F drive on his HDD, partition currently contains Acronis Image of his old C

All old files on his C drive seem to be intact.

I am confused by "Transfer Wizard" asking which is the new computer and which is the old since it is both. Also confused in selecting where to send settings, as both HDDs show a C partition and "transfer Wizard" makes it hard to distinguish the two.

Can anybody give me a step by step? Also, will the Transfer Wizard restore the two users who were previously on the old system along with their documents and settings ? Can it be done?

If I can get this accomplished, then I'll image it to the F partition, pull my drive, make his master C and boot with Acronis and restore. And then, hand him back his machine with a note: "I don't ever want to see this machine again." Forever! (or any other Dell machine for that matter.)

Really appreciate all the help to date, just a few more..............

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Martin