 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Windows Forum / Windows Me / System Tools / August 2008System Starting in "Boot Screen" & Other Various Problems
Hi, Two days ago, my computer began starting up in "boot mode" and of course, it's driving me crazy. I run daily AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, as well as X-Cleaner for malaware and spyware; obvioualy, all these precautions don't always keep us safe. I've tried the following actions and made the following determinations thus far: 1. I did a "System Restore," which did not fix the problem. 2. I tried checking my "Startup" list for suspicious items but pretty certain there are none. 3. I discovered that I am UNABLE to run "ScanDisk;" even though, I SHUTDOWN Zone Alarm and DISABLE Norton prior to Scanning. Nevertheless, I continue to receive the error message: "Scan disk has attempted to run 10 times and cannot......." yada, yada, yada! I also noticed while the ScanDisk is running, the icons on my Taskbar keep REFRESHING, which I know should not be happening. 4. I did a Registry Check, which found no errors. 5. Oh, I am also having some problems with IE. From time to time the page(s) act funky like going forward by themself and the other day the Address Bar would not let me type a URL address. It just kept flashing dots across the bar with the word "search displayed. Basically, I'm at a loss for diagnosing and fixing this problem. Is it a System Utilty problem? Is it a Virus? What is it? PLEASE HELP! :( > and DISABLE Norton Enough said and therein lies the most likely cause of most if not all of your problems. Norton, any version, simply isn't compatible with Win Me and causes 20 times as many problems as any benefits or protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help.  SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > PLEASE HELP! :( Besides Mike's very wise advice! (Just beat me Mike - Again!!) OK, one thing at a time! Before you worry too much about scandisk and other IE problems :- > Two days ago, my computer began starting up in "boot mode" Do you mean Safe Mode? (i.e. the screen is the wrong resolution and colours aren't quite right?) If so, are you SURE that it is in Safe Mode? (i.e. the words 'Safe Mode' are displayed in each corner of the screen?) Just to confirm, try booting into Safe Mode the correct way :- Boot into Safe Mode by holding down or 'stabbing at' the Ctrl or the F8 keys as the PC is powering-up. This will give you a Menu option to select Safe Mode. (You could also try holding the Shift key - as above - which should take you directly to Safe Mode without the menu. Come back with the results. Mart > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > PLEASE HELP! :( Hi Mart, Before I answer your question, first let me say that I cannot read Mike's post. Only a portion of it is being displayed, unless it's my screen. In fact, this is what I see posted from Mike: "and DISABLE Norton Enough said and therein lies the most likely cause of most if not all of your problems. Norton, any version, simply isn't compatible with Win Me and causes 20 times as many problems as any benefits or protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com Okay, so as you can see, I have no idea what Mike advised me to do; however, I am able to read your post entirely. :) Therefore, the answer to your question is my computer is NOT starting in "safe mode." It is starting up to the screen where the user can change the system configurations. For Example: "1st Boot Device," "2nd Boot Device," etc. The screen where I can set a "system password" or "user password." The screen where the user can make "primary & secondary master and slave configuration" changes. Now that I'm fairly certain you know what I'm talking about, would you be kind enough to post for me Mike's original message, as well as any additional advice you may have since this problem still persists! :) Thanks for your help, Shani Hi Shani, You did in fact see ALL of Mike's post - I won't explain here <g> except to say that he (and many others on the WinMe News Groups) *regularly* advise users to disable (or better yet, completely uninstall) Norton products from their WinMe systems. It can - and often does - cause far more problems than it allegedly fixes. OK, back to your issues - from your description, you *appear* to be booting directly into your BIOS setup page(s). If it really is your BIOS (or CMOS) setup page(s) then I'm not sure why this is suddenly happening unless you have a sticking key (usually but not always the Del key) or perhaps your CMOS battery is dying and needs replacing. My *guess* is that more likely you have a "GoBack" type of utility which appears to be offering you the BIOS setting options as you boot your PC. I don't use these type of utilities myself as they are NOT part of WinMe, nor can I suggest any further advice except that you look at your User Manual to see if that sort of utility is included with your particular PC. For all I know, it might be caused by one of the Norton 'features' included in your setup. Maybe someone else recognises these symptoms and can offer further help. Just a thought, what happens if you boot your PC using the WinMe Startup (floppy) Disk? Do you still get the "1st Boot Device," "2nd Boot Device," etc. pages showing on your screen? Mart > Hi Mart, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton installed it is unlikely > that anyone will be able to really help." That is EXACTLY all that Mike said......Norton is well known for messing up WinME computers.....his comments are perfectly clear to any of us with WinME computers. So in other words.....Remove Norton!! Get a better antivirus and there are some free ones such as AVG, etc. Now Mart can take over.....Heather > Hi Mart, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > unlikely > that anyone will be able to really help." Heather wrote :- > Now Mart can take over.....Heather Err.. thanks Heather <bg> But seriously (What? You were being serious, Heather? <g>) I think Mike (and I) *may* have hit a possible cause (e.g. sticking key etc.) in appearing to identify the BIOS screen as Shani's "Boot Screen" We await Shani's response - and Snani, do please note Mike's point about setting the Floppy Drive as the First boot device, otherwise you won't be able to read the WinMe Startup Disk at boot-up. Mart > That is EXACTLY all that Mike said......Norton is well known for messing > up WinME computers.....his comments are perfectly clear to any of us with [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> unlikely >> that anyone will be able to really help." > I have no idea what Mike advised me to do Perhaps you should explain what you do not understand about the statement "Norton, any version, simply isn't compatible with Win Me"? However your subsequent post tells us that your problem has little or nothing to do with Norton and even less to do with Win Me as you appear to be booting to the bios setup screen for your PC rather than to an operating system for which Mart has made some suggestions. Can you confirm that you are pressing no keys when booting your system, for example the DEL key which is often the key used to enter the bios setup although other key combinations exist? The system first reads the bios before attempting to load an operating system and it appears you are not even getting that far. What do you have set as First and Second boot device? With First set as your floppy drive are you able to boot to DOS using a Win Me startup floppy? SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Hi Mart, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." LOL...Hi Guys, Okay, where do I begin? :) I guess I'll start with the following: Mike, I did not realize that your advice was simpy to "disable Norton." Your post appeared to me as though part of the 1st sentence was missing. Also, since I am not a frequent visitor here, I am unfamiliar with the "tech talk" used; therefore, I apologize to all for any misunderstandings. Nevertheless, you and Mart are both correct. My computer is indeed booting to the "bios setup screen." When I start the computer, the first thing I see is "User Password." I simply hit "enter" because I do not have a PC password setup since it's not a necessity. Thereafter, the full "setup screen" appears, so I simply hit "ctrl, alt, delete" to reboot the computer. Sometimes after pressing "ctrl, alt, delete" the computer restart in "Windows Mode" and sometimes it does not. If after hitting "ctrl, alt, delete" several times my computer does not reboot to "windows," I then do a "manual reboot," which almost always takes me into the regular "windows startup." Nevertheless, I am very interested in what you guys said about "sticking keys" because I recently spilled iced coffee on my wireless keyboard and there are keys sticking. However, the keys that are sticking are the side panel number buttons. Oh my goooooooooood, I just noticed the side right panel "Zero and Period" keys are stuck in the "down" position. Oh geeeeeeeeeeeeeze, I'm almost ashamed to say that I think you guys may have solved my problem. Oh lord, let me unstick these keys and reboot to see what happens. <Shani walking away with tail between her legs and head hanging to the floor> :) I will report back after rebooting! Thanks > > I have no idea what Mike advised me to do > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton > > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." P.S. I forgot to answer your other question...My floppy drive is corrupted and has been for over a year now. It's a hardware problem. I bought a new floppy drive last year but cannot get it to fit in the slot because I bent the metal taking the old one out. (Okay, stop laughing at me, I'm a SHE...LOL:) > LOL...Hi Guys, > [quoted text clipped - 66 lines] > > > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton > > > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." Okee, dokee...I UNSTUCK and cleaned the "stuck" keys mentioned earlier, then rebooted THREE times consecutively. All three times the computer properly booted to *WINDOWS*--- YIPPY! :o) I hope this problem has been resolved, but rest assured that I'll be back if it reoccurs. <I'm sure you're all blowing your party horns> heheheee :o) Although, I still do not understand why my *scan disk* was not running properly since I NEVER had that problem before. I've had Norton installed for a long time and luckily, it has never caused me any problems. Over the years, I've had a million other problems with *ME,* but none of them had anything to do with Norton.......Hummmmmm. I guess I'll have to run *scan disk* later to see if it's now running properly. Thank you all very much for the help. I will check back later to read any replies you may post. Sincerely, Shani > P.S. I forgot to answer your other question...My floppy drive is corrupted > and has been for over a year now. It's a hardware problem. I bought a new [quoted text clipped - 72 lines] > > > > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton > > > > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." Yikes!! Again - where to start? > I hope this problem has been resolved, Shani, apart from the physical 'goo' or sticky effect of the spilled coffee, there are likely be electrical consequences (short circuits) happening on the keyboard's printed circuit and key contacts too. > but rest assured that I'll be back if it reoccurs. You'll be back!! Unless or until you replace your keyboard (if only for elimination purposes), it will always be a 'highly suspect' item in any future troubleshooting issues. > I've had Norton installed for > a long time and luckily, it has never caused me any problems. Wow!! - What a bold statement. But I'll leave it for others to debate that point <g> > Over the years, > I've had a million other problems with *ME,* but none > of them had anything to do with Norton. Jeepers! - Absolutely, No comment. Excuse me whilst I pick myself up from the floor <vbg> > Although, I still do not understand why my *scan disk* was > not running properly since I NEVER had that problem before. Yet another 'naive' statement! It's now becoming quite obvious that 'you are not a frequent visitor' to the WinMe news groups - "Scan disk has attempted to run 10 times and cannot....... yada, yada, yada!" is a regular report here. For the moment, without going into the many possible reasons why, try running scandisk in Safe Mode and see if it runs OK. Dump the keyboard (Oh! and by the way, did anyone mention dumping Norton?) PDQ and see if there are any improvements. Sticking keys and partial short circuits could be responsible for many of your 999,999 other *ME* issues. (Oh! and by the way, did anyone mention dumping Norton?) BTW - get your A: drive fixed ASAP - you never know just how soon you may need it. You *may* even need to run scandisk in Real Mode DOS (i.e. from the WinMe Startup Disk) Mart > Okee, dokee...I UNSTUCK and cleaned the "stuck" keys mentioned earlier, > then [quoted text clipped - 120 lines] >> > > > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton >> > > > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." Mart - did you forget to mention dumping Norton? :) Seriously, Shani, Norton software is the single greatest cause of visits to these forums for users of ME!! Your computer will thank you forever when you do get rid of it, and be much more responsive to your requirements - just make sure that you get rid of the whole of the beast! SignatureNoel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows) Nil Carborundum Illegitemi http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm http://tinyurl.com/6oztj Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's > Yikes!! Again - where to start? > [quoted text clipped - 171 lines] >>> > > > protection it might claim to offer. As long as you have Norton >>> > > > installed it is unlikely that anyone will be able to really help." Noel wrote :- > Mart - > did you forget to mention dumping Norton? > :) Sorry if I missed it Noel, but I could have sworn that I mentioned it somewhere. I guess I got carried away with the spectre of Shani washing the keyboard down with copious amounts of de-ionised water in one hand and a hairdryer in the other <g> http://www.compukiss.com/sandyclassroom/tutorials/article940.htm Err ... That's a joke Shani - for the cost of a replacement keyboard, your coffee stained one is always going to remain a liability. Mart > Noel wrote :- > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Mart I actually had to do that the other day for a client - they'd spilled Orange Juice over the keyboard of an old (Win98) laptop, and wondered why the keys weren't working too well.... luckily the OJ didn't get quite as far as the battery terminals! A replacement keyboard would probably have cost more than the lappy was worth! SignatureNoel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows) Nil Carborundum Illegitemi http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm http://tinyurl.com/6oztj Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's > Over the years, I've had a million other problems with > *ME,* but none of them had anything to do with Norton....... Wanna bet? <vbg> I can promise you that very many of the problems experiencved by users running Win Me with Norton installed are due to Norton. The list of problems is almost endless. I have a list of over 20 areas where Norton can and does cause major problems ranging from an inability to install updates from the Windows Update site to an inoperative system restore. Cheers, SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Okee, dokee...I UNSTUCK and cleaned the "stuck" keys mentioned > earlier, then rebooted THREE times consecutively. All three times the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Thank you all very much for the help. I will check back later to read > any replies you may post. Shani, In my original post the first line "> and DISABLE Norton" was a direct quote from your own post. Oh dear, spilt iced coffee and keyboards just don't mix - especially so if you have a sweet tooth and the iced coffee has sugar in it. Let's hope you can fix it. SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > LOL...Hi Guys, > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > I will report back after rebooting! Oh Dear...LOL You guys have me pe*ing in my pants. The back and forth tech talk is too much for my Sunday afernoon head to handle, not to mention you all are scaring the heck out of me. <Arghhhhhhhhh> Anyway, let me give you guys an update....Since I cleaned the *sticky keys,* the system has been properly starting-up in *Windows Mode.* <clap, clap> I have not attempted to run *scandisk* again, but I know I have to test it. <boo, hoo> My Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse are BRAND NEW, and the thought of having to invest another 40 bucks is making my stomach churn! <burp, burp> As far as Norton....Oh maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, I only purchased the latest version 3 months ago and paid for a 2-year subscription to boot. <sobbing, sobbing> Don't you guys have any good news for me? <begging on my knees with fingers clasped> rofl :o) > Shani, > [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > > > I will report back after rebooting! Oh Dear...LOL You guys have me pe*ing in my pants. The back and forth tech talk is too much for my Sunday afernoon head to handle, not to mention you all are scaring the heck out of me. <Arghhhhhhhhh> Anyway, let me give you guys an update....Since I cleaned the *sticky keys,* the system has been properly starting-up in *Windows Mode.* <clap, clap> I have not attempted to run *scandisk* again, but I know I have to test it. <boo, hoo> My Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse are BRAND NEW, and the thought of having to invest another 40 bucks is making my stomach churn! <burp, burp> As far as Norton....Oh maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, I only purchased the latest version 3 months ago and paid for a 2-year subscription to boot. <sobbing, sobbing> Don't you guys have any good news for me? <begging on my knees with fingers > clasped> rofl :o) Shani > > Shani, > > [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > > > > > I will report back after rebooting! Oh Dear...LOL You guys have me pe*ing in my pants. The back and forth tech talk is too much for my Sunday afernoon head to handle, not to mention you all are scaring the heck out of me. <Arghhhhhhhhh> Anyway, let me give you guys an update....Since I cleaned the *sticky keys,* the system has been properly starting-up in *Windows Mode.* <clap, clap> I have not attempted to run *scandisk* again, but I know I have to test it. <boo, hoo> My Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse are BRAND NEW, and the thought of having to invest another 40 bucks is making my stomach churn! <burp, burp> As far as Norton....Oh maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, I only purchased the latest version 3 months ago and paid for a 2-year subscription to boot. <sobbing, sobbing> Don't you guys have any good news for me? <begging on my knees with fingers clasped! rofl :o) Shani NOTE: Message reposted TWICE for editing. <blushing, blushing> :( > > > Shani, > > > [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > > > > > > > I will report back after rebooting! It looks like the keyboard 'Repeat' setting wants adjusting too - 3 replies?? <g> > I have not attempted to run *scandisk* again Well Shani, if you're now happy with an iffy keyboard and are prepared to live with it a while longer, now's the time to try scandisk in Safe Mode to confirm that it completes successfully. (Oh! and by the way, did anyone mention dumping Norton? And to make sure that you get rid of the whole of the beast!) Mart > Oh Dear...LOL > [quoted text clipped - 83 lines] >> > > > >> > > > I will report back after rebooting! Exchange lots of mouse moves and clicks for a single key press! Significantly improve working speed by using shortcuts (hot keys). Avoid Repetitive Strain Injury! EnergyKey http://www30.webSamba.com/SmartStudio Per1000 etc., wrote in message > Exchange lots of mouse moves and clicks for a single key press! > Significantly improve working speed by using shortcuts (hot keys). > Avoid Repetitive Strain Injury! > > <spam snipped> Err... I think you missed the joke!! Mart "404 - File Not Found The file either does not exist or this member has violated the Terms of Service and his account has been terminated. " Oooops! Noel > Per1000 etc., wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Mart Neat! - It was there yesterday <g> Thanks for the heads-up, Noel Mart > "404 - File Not Found > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> >> Mart hi i am inda , since last night my computer is keeping on restarting. thus i can't get access to the desktop. the only screen i get access to is the setup management , when windows is starting up. it says press DEL to enter set up and i don't know what to do next. please help |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.