Computer wont go in safe mode ?

Cat72

Hope you can help with this.I ran an avast scan in my neices computer and it found 8 malware and 2 trojans .The malware it put into the chest but the trojans it couldnt. I wasnt there but my OH said it said the computer said there was not enough space ( which is strange as therewas only the 8 malware in the chest ). Instead he deleted them.When I found out I tried to do another scan in safe mod ebut the computer wont go in safe mode ! When I try to enter the accounts ( its windows xp2) it shuts down the whole computer and restarts. What wrong with it ? I have done another avast scan normally and it said the computer was clean but its now just that I cant use safe mode ? The computer is about 3 uears old .Any ideas please ? I am worried ....

Tils

Few Questions

1) Can you boot into normal mode ok?

2) Is there anything on this computer you need?

3) Do you have the recovery CD?

Basically if theres nothing on this computer you really need and you cant boot it up. Just stick the recovery CD in and reinstall the software. This is much easier in the long run when you get Viruses etc.

However if you do have something on your computer you dont have a backup on CD if that be software or some data (pics, documents etc) then try to boot up and back them up to a CD first. (This can however back the Virus up too)

Another option if you are really stuck is to try to maybe find another Virus checker and get that to run on it. You can pick up Norton Virus scan with a free xx days trial probbaly off their web site. Would probably get you going.

Just some ideas anyway... dont go wiping your PC without thinking though incase you lose something you wanted

Cat72

I can boot in normal mode fine but I dont have a recovery disc. The computer was rebooted a few months ago by an expert becuase it broke completely- this is the first time I have tried to use safe mode since.
I can run avast fine in normal mode it is just safe mode wont work at all to do another scan.

Wig

Dunno about win XP

but have you tried on boot up in the first few seconds pressing F8 press it repeatedly during the boot up time stop pressing it if it goes onto a Windows type screen it is too late then.

If F8 don't work try (on your next boot) F7, ... F6 and so on.

try an online scan too bitdefender, panda software etc.

Also download and run silentrunners, if there is anything unusual there you could ask for help on cybertechhelp or castlecops

espresso

Instructions here.

Cat72

I can get into the screen that says" safe mode" no problem but then it just shuts down and reboots .When it reboots it is no longer in safe mode.If I try it again it goes into safe mode then closes down when I try to proceed.

Browntoa

To use the System Configuration Utility method

• Close all open programs.
• Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
• The System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer when prompted.
• The computer restarts in Safe mode.
• Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
  When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again, on the BOOT.INI tab, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click OK to restart your computer

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

Wig

Cat72 wrote:

I can get into the screen that says" safe mode" no problem but then it just shuts down and reboots .When it reboots it is no longer in safe mode.If I try it again it goes into safe mode then closes down when I try to proceed.

Then I suggest you go to cybertechhelp

and post a hijackthis log in the cybersafety board

Before you go there
download
http://216.180.233.162/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe

and get adaware SE (free to get and free to run - no need to upgrade) from download.com
Before you scan update the definitions file.

I already told you about silentrunners you should get that too.

Browntoa

or post the hijack this log here later

not required yet.....

this is a problem getting into safe mode (bios setting) not a Windows problem

Cat72

Thanks I will try all this. I will have to go to her computer so will not be able to try this till tomorrow.

Cat72

I tried the suggestions about the System Configuration Utility method but it didnt work.The computer still runs but just refuses to go into safe mode.