I don't know where to start. My computer was running fine, and then I rebooted in Safemode to check something out. Anyway, now I can't get my computer to start in anything BUT Safemode, and it always comes up with the same message, "Windows XP Setup cannot run under Safemode. Setup will restart now." If I click OK, it restarts - again in Safemode. If I 'X' out the box, it restarts - again in Safemode. I cannot get ANY thing else to come up. Can someone PLEASE HELP?!
Thank you,
RebeccaD

Turn computer off by doing control alt delete. Start it again, reboot and it should gp into mode. Sometimes it does a self diagnastic mode itself

Thank you for your reply. I'm welcoming ANY answers that might include something I haven't been able to come up with. Your answer makes perfect sense, and yes, I've tried this about 14 times now. It STILL comes up in Safemode! I do not understand this at all.
Thanks again, though.
RebeccaD

I don't know what you messed with while in Safe Mode. But, if you changed something, then that may be causing the problem. I have altered things while in Safe Mode and had the same problem.

If you did change something, then I would suggest changing it back to the way that it was. If doing that doesn't solve the problem, then you might try a System Restore to point in time before you originally went into Safe Mode, so that everything will be as it was before you went into Safe Mode.

Just some ideas.

Thank you. I don't even remember what I opened up the Safe Mode for in the first place, I've been so freaked out with this! I've tried going back to Safe Mode and going through everything there, but it all looks fine. I'd love to even be able to DO a system restore, but it won't let me do that! When I tried to do this through the safe mode, it still came right back up... that blank page as Safe Mode, telling me that it couldn't run Windows XP in SafeMode.

When in safe mode, select the option to show hidden files and folders.

To do this, open My Computer, Under Tools -> Folder options, click on the view tab and select show hidden files and folders. Then uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files".

Open C:\ drive. You show now see the boot.ini file. Double click it and it should open in notepad

It should look like this:

[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 Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut.

If not, change it to look like above. And save it. Then hide the files again. Reboot.

Thanks, HVAC8888. I just wish it were that simple. I cannot get into anything to even open My Computer. There is absolutely nothing there to click on. I've even tried using every single option available when I open "F8" safemode intentionally. Every single time, it comes up as a black Safe Mode page with that dreaded notice saying that Windows XP setup cannot run in safe mode. VERY frustrating!

If you have the Windows XP CD, you might try running things from that. If you do have the CD, try turning on the computer and inserting the CD. If the CD does not run, then turn off the computer and start it back up and see if the CD runs.

Also, there is some information on the following links that may be of help to you. I hope that they are.

Computing.Net - XP won't boot in safe mode (http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/132363.html)

Windows XP (http://kadaitcha.cx/cannot_start_xp.html)

cannot start in Safe Mode (http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t312292-cannot-start-in-safe-mode.html)

Clough has the right idea. I'm thinking it is a boot.ini problem. Here is another site (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000648.htm) that shows how to rebuild a boot.ini file.

Although, not an answer in the continuing saga as to what's wrong with Rebecca's computer. I do have a question for you HVAC, if you don't mind.

I would like to know how you condense the addresses of the two sites in your post above to just appear as a word or words. I don't know that I am getting the terminology correct. But, I think that you get my drift.

Thank you!

Examples:

How to rebuild the Windows boot.ini (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000648.htm) ='s site

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/introductions/hello-everyone-little-late-since-ive-made-36-posts-already-60704.html ='s My experiences

Hey Clough,

Its simple. I found it out by accident myself.

Ctrl-C the URL from your browser. Type your sentence (i.e. "Click here"). Highlight the word or sentence you want, "here" in this example, click the insert URL icon, Ctrl-V the URL, then OK. "Here" now becomes the link. :)