can't get safe mode after windows update

[repete]

Hi
i have Win98SE on a laptop and followed the prompts to install windows updates from the internet, and followed the reboot prompts. on reboot, my laptop just hangs, so i was forced to turn it off. now on reboot, it runs scan disk, and gets to my desktop screen, and stll hangs

i have tried pressing 3 different ways to boot up

1. pressing ctrl on start up to get into safe mode
2. also tried pressing F8 to get into safe mode
3. tried inserting a floppy to force a "non-system disc" message, then pressing F8

but just get the same result - runs thru scan disk and hangs on the desktop screen. i can move the mouse which shows the hourglass pointer, but get no response from the keyboard or mouse.

any suggestions for try 4 ?



Pete Bloomfield
Down Under

 

[repete]

ok, i won't bore you with the details of tries 4 thru 17, but i finally get into safe mode by pressing ctrl on the laptop keyboard, rather than the external keyboard

now that i have my laptop booted up in safe mode, what should i tweak to let me get a normal boot up after my failed windows update reboot

Pete Bloomfield
Down Under

 

[mainegeek]

repete,
While in safe mode I would run scandisk (standard mode)
Also, the windows update probably updated some device drivers that aren't working correctly. Also, run msconfig and untick everthing in the startup tab and then try to boot normally. Then retick them again one at a time between reboots to see what is causing the hang at the desktop.

 

[hispeedtech]

repete,
Like mainegeek said, first run scandisk. Instead of unchecking everything from startup (msconfig) it's easier to do a step by step confirmation. If you have a startup menu instead of a splash screen, just select step by step confirmation. If not, here's how windows help says to get there:

To confirm startup commands line by line

Click Options, and then click Print to print this topic for reference. Windows Help is not available while you start your computer or run your programs on the MS-DOS operating system.
Click Start, and then click Shut down.

Click Restart, click OK, and then press and hold the CTRL key until the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appears.
Enter the number for Step-by-step confirmation, and then press ENTER.
For each command you want to run, press Y.
If the command runs successfully, you are prompted with the next command.

If the command does not run successfully, you receive an error message.

To skip a command, press N.

Notes
For some machines, you can use F8 instead of CTRL to bring up the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu.
After you finish this procedure, you may need to restart your computer before Windows will start properly.


This will let you know exactly which command/program is causing the hang up.

Luck

 

[repete]

got it, the update was hanging, so i unchecked that and got going again

thanks for your help

Pete Bloomfield
Down Under