Windows XP - Starts into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a specific way for the Windows operating system to load when there is a system-critical problem interfering with the normal operation of Windows. Safe Mode allows the user to troubleshoot the operating system to determine what is not functioning properly. For example, adding new software or drivers for a hardware device to the system can cause conflicts with existing programs. Safe Mode is a way to find out what the problem is.

In Safe Mode, the only startup programs that are loaded are the operating system and drivers for the mouse, keyboard and standard VGA display modes. Most device drivers are not loaded and instead of the normal graphics device driver, Safe Mode uses standard VGA graphics mode. This mode is supported by all Windows-compatible video cards.

  1. Shutdown and restart computer.

    1. Click Start.

    2. Click Turn off computer.

    3. Click Turn Off.

    4. The computer shuts down. Wait about 10 seconds, then restart the computer.

  2. Load the Last Known Good Configuration.

    1. Shutdown and restart computer following the instructions listed previously.

    2. After the Gateway/eMachine splash screen, repeatedly press the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu opens.

    3. On the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select Last Known Good Configuration.
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    4. At the Please select the operating system to start screen, press the ENTER key.
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  3. Disconnect external devices.

    1. Shutdown computer.

    2. Disconnect devices according to Desktop/Portable list below:
      • Desktop - Disconnect all external devices except for the keyboard, mouse, and monitor
      • Portable - Disconnect all external devices, including disconnecting the computer from the docking bar

    3. Restart computer.

    4. If computer boots into normal Windows mode, reattach devices one at a time, restarting the computer after each addition. Doing this can pinpoint the external device that may be causing the problem.

  4. Run System Restore.

  5. Remove recently added hardware.

    1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, then click Properties.

    2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab, and then click the Device Manager button. Device Manager opens and the device categories are listed.

    3. Double-click the category of the device that was recently installed. This expands the category.

    4. From the expanded list of devices, right-click on the recently installed device, and then select Uninstall.

    5. In the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, click OK.

    6. Shut down Windows and turn off the computer.

    7. Remove the hardware that was added to the computer.

    8. Restart computer.

    9. If computer starts into Safe Mode, go to Remove recently added software.

    10. If computer starts into Windows normally, follow manufacturer's instructions to add back the hardware that was removed.

    11. Restart computer.

    12. If computer starts into safe mode, remove hardware and:
      • Verify hardware compatibility
      • Verify driver compatibility

    13. If computer starts into Windows normally, no further troubleshooting is needed.

  6. Remove recently added software.

    1. Check the program documentation for proper uninstall procedures.
      • Use the program's "Help" feature and search for "Uninstall"
      • Use the program's uninstall / remove option in the start menu

    2. If a Windows update or Service Pack was installed, Use Add or Remove Programs to uninstall or remove the update.

      1. Click Start, click Control Panel, then click Add or Remove Programs.

      2. Place a check in the box at the top for Show Updates.

      3. Locate the update (usually towards the bottom), then click it to select the KBnumber.

      4. Click Remove.

      5. At the prompt to continue, click Next.

      6. At the KBNumber was successfully removed prompt, click Finish.

    3. Use Add or Remove Programs to uninstall or remove program.

      1. Click Start, click Control Panel, then click Add or Remove Programs.

      2. Locate the program, and click on the title.

      3. Click Remove.

      4. Click on any prompts to remove the "Application and features…"

      5. Click Finish.

    4. Restart computer.

    5. If computer starts into Safe Mode, continue with Run Device Driver Roll Back.

    6. If computer starts into Windows normally, follow manufacturers instructions to add back the software that was removed.

    7. Restart computer.

    8. If computer starts into safe mode, remove software and:
      • Verify hardware compatibility
      • Verify driver compatibility

    9. If computer starts into Windows normally, no further troubleshooting is needed.

  7. Run Device Driver Roll Back.

  8. Use System Configuration utility (MSConfig).

    1. Verify Startup Selection is set to Normal Startup.

      1. Click Start, and then click Run.

      2. In the Run dialog box, type: msconfig, and then press the ENTER key.

      3. On the General tab, if Normal Startup is selected, go to step 2 for clearing the startup items.

      4. On the General tab, if Selective Startup is selected, change to Normal Startup (Click on the radio button next to Normal Startup).
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      5. Click OK.

      6. At the restart your computer prompt, click Restart.
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    2. Clear the startup items.

      1. Click the Startup tab. Remove all checkmarks by clicking Disable All.
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      2. Click OK.
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      3. At the restart your computer prompt, click Restart.
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      4. Upon restart, if computer boots into Safe Mode, reload the operating system.

      5. If computer starts into Windows normally, you may receive a message informing you that "System Configuration Utility" was used to make changes to the way Windows starts. Click OK.
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      6. Since computer starts into Windows normally, keep adding Startup Items back one-at-a-time, restarting after each addition.

      7. Once all Startup Items are checked, and Windows is starting normally, the problem may have resolved itself by starting each item separately. Restart computer to make sure it will start correctly.

      8. If after adding a Startup Item, computer boots into Safe Mode, see what "Startup Item" is causing the problem. (Use the Command column to identify the program associated with the Startup Item).

      9. Follow the Remove recently added software step to remove the software causing the problem.

    If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: