No Safe Mode

[ChrisMohrSr]

I would like someone on the forum to help me with two problems.

At the present time I am using a Dell Vostro 200 computer with the Windows XP Professional version.

Problem One: In the past I would sometimes solve a problem with the computer by going into Safe Mode and then doing a System Restore. The other day while using an Aspire AST135 computer it became unresponsive so I decided to go to Safe Mode and do a System Restore. I got as far as choosing the system to restore (there was only Windows XP), but when I hit Enter the screen became a light dark and nothing would function. I say "light dark" because when the system is running properly the black screen is a deeper black than when the system completely gives up, as it does in this case. This has happened to me before on the computer I am now using to write this. I had to call in a technician to get the system back.

My question is: Why does this happen? What could cause the system to completely die when I try to go into Safe Mode? When it happened on this Dell Vostro 200 computer I thought it was probably a glitch in the machine, but now it has happened to the Acer computer. And I do not relish the thought of spending a hundred or more dollars to have it rectified. Is there anything I can do to fix the problem myself?

Problem Two: I am now using this Dell computer, but the image will not adjust to my widescreen monitor. It displays a standard 3 to 4 image stretched out to fit the wide screen. How can I correct this?

I am greatly indebted to anyone who can help me solve my problems.

Christopher R. Mohr Sr.

[seanc]

Re: No Safe Mode

Regarding problem 2, if you're using a lesser known brand of widescreen monitor and Intel's onboard graphics, you'll need to download a particular set of drivers.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-028366.htm

Regarding the issues with Safe Mode, anything can cause it. What's the problem with starting up in normal mode?

[yyonline]

Re: No Safe Mode

Problem Two: I am now using this Dell computer, but the image will not adjust to my widescreen monitor. It displays a standard 3 to 4 image stretched out to fit the wide screen. How can I correct this?

I'd recommend downloading the correct video driver directly from Dell. Dell often tweaks the drivers for their specific hardware. To get the driver, goto support.dell.com, download drivers, and enter the service tag number of the computer.

Finally, if the monitor is connected with VGA instead of DVI, you may need to adjust the resolution manually in the display control panel. DVI will automatically adjust the resolution almost always. VGA will sometimes, but not others.

[ChrisMohrSr]

Re: No Safe Mode

I have solved the number two problem of the stretched display by installing a missing driver, but my number one problem remains. The computer will not boot. I tap F8 and bring up the screen with all the different choices. That's where the problem comes in. No entry on that screen will respond. That is the problem. I have used that screen in the past with complete success, but now nothing on that screen will respond.

[seanc]

Re: No Safe Mode

Are you using a USB keyboard? Have you checked to see that USB keyboard support is enabled in the BIOS?

[ChrisMohrSr]

Re: No Safe Mode

I was using the same keyboard that I used when I used that screen before to go into Safe Mode. Nothing changed except that screen just stopped responding.

[steve2]

Re: No Safe Mode

Have had this on 3 computers in last year. Something corrupts the mbr file and will not boot to the operating system. Easier to provide a link than to try to explain. The computer will post , you can get into bios, but after the splash, screen goes black (but iis still on as the monitor doesn't say lost signal).. When trying to boot in safe mode (if it lets you get that far, will usually show a loading screen that stops(all black screen with white letters showing whats loading) at a file. The link here has fixed this , but some malware that is designed to just corrupt the mbr (master Boot Record) file. http://askbobrankin.com/fix_mbr.html