When Windows won't boot

When Windows won't boot

If for any reason Windows does not start normally, you should try to start it in Safe mode, which bypasses the real-mode drivers and configuration to load a very minimal protected-mode configuration that disables the Windows drivers and a VGA display.

However, if Windows will not start in Safe mode, one of the following conditions is likely the cause:

l The PC is infected with a virus: Install and run an anti-virus program on the PC.

l The CMOS settings are wrong: If you can access the BIOS setup program and the configuration data, check it for accuracy. Hopefully, you have a paper backup of what the CMOS settings should be. If not, you may need to contact the manufacturer.

l There is a system resource or hardware conflict: Check for IRQ conflicts, duplicated COM ports, PCI BIOS settings, and possible defective RAM.

l MSDOS.SYS has an incorrect setting: Verify that there are no incomplete or invalid settings in this file.

l A DriveSpace drive cannot mount a compressed volume file (CVF): Follow the procedures in the Windows Help files for CVF files and troubleshooting DriveSpace.

l There is a Registry error: Boot to the Command prompt only startup option and run SCANREG from the command line prompt. See "Changing your boots," the preceding section, for information on Windows startup options.

When all else fails, reinstall Windows into a new folder to determine if the problem is something left over from the previous operating system or Windows version.

Instant Answer If Windows will boot to Safe mode, you should step through the startup process using the Selective Startup option of MSCONFIG (executed from the Start Run box) to try several different startup options.