I turned on my computer this morning, and it didn't work, so I had to reinstall Windows 98. After it reinstalled, it was in the safe mode, and I can't seem to get it out of that. Iv'e tried restarting my computer atleast 20 times and holding down on Ctrl, and enter, and choosing the normal mode option, but still, it keeps going into safe mode. Before, when it would go into safe mode, I just restarted it and clicked on normal mode, and it would be fixed. But for some reason, that's just not happening this time. Do any of you have an idea as to what the problem might be, and how I can go about fixing it? Going online in safe mode is really annoying, so any help would be appreciated!!

Sorry, I dunno. Im having my own computer problems myself. Whenever I turn it on, the tower decides to make mucho noise. Kicking it used to help it, but now Dad said its probably the hard-drive going out or something.

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Sorry, I dunno. Im having my own computer problems myself. Whenever I turn it on, the tower decides to make mucho noise. Kicking it used to help it, but now Dad said its probably the hard-drive going out or something.

Yeah, your dad's probably right. You might want to check the fan though. The next time your computer's off, tip the tower over and look at the fan. Alot of times that noise is made because of dirt, and dust that builds up in the fan, and can actually be easily fixed. That's what the problem was last time my computer was making those noises. Anyway, I hope you figure out what the problem is, and are able to fix it.:)

Try this:

Click Start

Click Help

In Help file type in 'safe mode'

Click display

Click display again when 'Direct TX Trouble Shooter' comes up.

In the trouble shooter, on my computer, the following is the third one down:

*Now that I've installed my program, Windows 98 starts only in safe mode.

I didn't read what it said to do. See if that comes up for you.
Good luck!
:)

I will give that a try Kitt. Thanks so much for looking into that for me!:)

I have a computer problem as well, SOMEBODY HELP ME DAMMIT.

I'm typing this using MSN Explorer because IE won't work for me. I"m on cable, so that means I'm connected 24/7, but whenever I start up IE, I get a page cannot be displayed error...Then when I try to manually type in an address (let's say mail.yahoo.com), I get this:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/PZelda9/email+thing.JPG

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME SO I DON'T HAVE TO ****ING USE MSN EXPLORER TONIGHT!!!!!!!! :mad:

Originally posted by mdntrider7
Yeah, your dad's probably right. You might want to check the fan though. The next time your computer's off, tip the tower over and look at the fan. Alot of times that noise is made because of dirt, and dust that builds up in the fan, and can actually be easily fixed. That's what the problem was last time my computer was making those noises. Anyway, I hope you figure out what the problem is, and are able to fix it.:) Hey thanks! I was thinking of that toom, but I noticed when my leg is resting on top of the tower (like it is now) it muffles the sound, and when I take it off its really loud.

*Meh, nevermind, its not louder.:o Just a different sound.

Bah! I just wiped the fan and it stopped.:o Thanks!:lol:

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Hey thanks! I was thinking of that toom, but I noticed when my leg is resting on top of the tower (like it is now) it muffles the sound, and when I take it off its really loud.

*Meh, nevermind, its not louder.:o Just a different sound.

:lol: I do the leg thing too! :eek: :D

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
:lol: I do the leg thing too! :eek: :D :lol:

I take that back, I go in the other room for 3 minutes and it starts humming again. :cuss:

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Bah! I just wiped the fan and it stopped.:o Thanks!:lol:

Wow, so that was it huh? Cool! I'm glad I was able to help!:D

Originally posted by mdntrider7
I turned on my computer this morning, and it didn't work, so I had to reinstall Windows 98.
when you say it didn't work - what did it do exactly? did it boot to a dos-like screen, possibly with an error message,
or did it get to the windows desktop?

After it reinstalled, it was in the safe mode, and I can't seem to get it out of that. Iv'e tried restarting my computer atleast 20 times and holding down on Ctrl, and enter, and choosing the normal mode option, but still, it keeps going into safe mode.
when you say that it is going into safe mode now, does it actually have the words "safe mode" in all four corners of the desktop, or does it just look like the 640x480 256-color desktop and menus of safe mode?

- just a quick note to anyone with pc problems: windows automatically backs up the last 5 successful logons to windows, so if something goes wrong, you have the option of doing a scanreg/restore at a command prompt, if you boot 20 times, you overwrite the last good configuration
Before, when it would go into safe mode, I just restarted it and clicked on normal mode, and it would be fixed. But for some reason, that's just not happening this time. Do any of you have an idea as to what the problem might be, and how I can go about fixing it? Going online in safe mode is really annoying, so any help would be appreciated!!

two things i would suggest could be happening here:

- after reinstalling Windows, you no longer have the drivers for your specific hardware installed, so it is just using the default display settings, which are the same as those in safemode, or,

- there is an underlying hardware problem that caused windows to not boot in the first place, and is preventing Windows from loading normally

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I have a computer problem as well, SOMEBODY HELP ME DAMMIT.

I'm typing this using MSN Explorer because IE won't work for me. I"m on cable, so that means I'm connected 24/7, but whenever I start up IE, I get a page cannot be displayed error...Then when I try to manually type in an address (let's say mail.yahoo.com), I get this:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/PZelda9/email+thing.JPG

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME SO I DON'T HAVE TO ****ING USE MSN EXPLORER TONIGHT!!!!!!!! :mad:
ahhh yes Internet Explorer, there are about a million things it could be , the easiest fix is to use Mozilla or Firebird (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/)

this is on your NEW pc with XP on it? what updates have you done? Checked for Spyware? Are you using a firewall, or any proxy settings? What do you have running in the background?

When did it start happening, and did you install or change anything around that time?

Here's the MS help page for the Page cannot be displayed (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/IE/ie5/topics/PCBD.asp) error

Originally posted by Kitt
Try this:

Click Start

Click Help

In Help file type in 'safe mode'

Click display

Click display again when 'Direct TX Trouble Shooter' comes up.

In the trouble shooter, on my computer, the following is the third one down:

*Now that I've installed my program, Windows 98 starts only in safe mode.

I didn't read what it said to do. See if that comes up for you.
Good luck!
:)

When I clicked on Now that Iv'e installed my program, Windows 98 starts only in safe mode, it said I had run into a problem that the DirectX troubleshooter can't help you solve. It says I need to click on web help and get online support. Apparantely Iv'e come across a pretty complicated problem. Anyway thanks again for the help. Hopefully online support can get me through this, if not, I think I'm screwed!

Originally posted by robyrob
ahhh yes Internet Explorer, there are about a million things it could be , the easiest fix is to use Mozilla or Firebird (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/)

this is on your NEW pc with XP on it? what updates have you done? Checked for Spyware? Are you using a firewall, or any proxy settings? What do you have running in the background?

When did it start happening, and did you install or change anything around that time?

Here's the MS help page for the Page cannot be displayed (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/IE/ie5/topics/PCBD.asp) error

Dammit, I don't want to use either. I WANT TO USE INTERNET EXPLORER, and nothing will stop me from using it again! :crying: :cuss:

Yes, this is the new one with XP. I just updated this morning, right after I started having trouble with IE, so I'm all accounted for. No new updates since this AM. Yes, I checked for spyware - I ran it last at 1 this morning, right before I went to bed. I had quite a bit of spyware, but got that cleaned up...I used Spybot. There was one that Spybot had a problem with deleting - something starting with V. I'm not sure. Spybot's updated as well. I don't have my fireball enabled, but I'm running on the trial McAfee antivirus thing that came with my comp...No, I haven't installed anything for a few days now...I have a bunch of proggies running in the background...It started happening this morning...

Okay, I'll check that out.

one thing that it is telling me by what it shows in the address bar, is that it isn't trying to open the page - it is trying to do an autosearch....

try reset the web search settings:
[list=1]
with IE open, hit "Ctrl + E" to open the search sidebar
click on the "Customize" button
click on the "Reset" button
click on the "Autosearch settings"
first try and set the "Choose a search provider...."
if that doesnt work, change the second box, "When searching" to "Do not search from the Address bar"
[/list=1]

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
Dammit, I don't want to use either. I WANT TO USE INTERNET EXPLORER, and nothing will stop me from using it again! :crying: :cuss:

Yes, this is the new one with XP. I just updated this morning, right after I started having trouble with IE, so I'm all accounted for. No new updates since this AM. Yes, I checked for spyware - I ran it last at 1 this morning, right before I went to bed. I had quite a bit of spyware, but got that cleaned up...I used Spybot. There was one that Spybot had a problem with deleting - something starting with V. I'm not sure. Spybot's updated as well. I don't have my fireball enabled, but I'm running on the trial McAfee antivirus thing that came with my comp...No, I haven't installed anything for a few days now...I have a bunch of proggies running in the background...It started happening this morning...

Okay, I'll check that out. two more questions

- did you update MSN Explorer or Messenger in the past few days?

- have you tried System Restore?

Originally posted by robyrob
one thing that it is telling me by what it shows in the address bar, is that it isn't trying to open the page - it is trying to do an autosearch....

try reset the web search settings:
[list=1]
with IE open, hit "Ctrl + E" to open the search sidebar
click on the "Customize" button
click on the "Reset" button
click on the "Autosearch settings"
first try and set the "Choose a search provider...."
if that doesnt work, change the second box, "When searching" to "Do not search from the Address bar"
[/list=1]

I don't see a Customize button....Nor a Reset button. :confused:

Originally posted by robyrob
two more questions

- did you update MSN Explorer or Messenger in the past few days?

- have you tried System Restore?

I updated MSN Messenger, but not Explorer as I don't use it.

I haven't tried System Restore...I shall try that. How do I do that?

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I updated MSN Messenger, but not Explorer as I don't use it.

I haven't tried System Restore...I shall try that. How do I do that?

n/m I found it AND IE WORKS AGAIN!!!!! THANKS :cheer:

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!

Yes, I checked for spyware - I ran it last at 1 this morning, right before I went to bed. I had quite a bit of spyware, but got that cleaned up...I used Spybot. There was one that Spybot had a problem with deleting - something starting with V. I'm not sure.


check your hosts file to see if it has been "taken over" - open up Spybot and go to the "Tools" section, then click on "Hosts File" what does it have in there?

If it has been taken over, it would have the names or IPs of search sites, and have them redirected to something, try add the Spybot hosts list

I still say yer best bet is System Restore, followed by running HijackThis (http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/)
and SEE what it says your search settings are pointing to, and then reset them

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
n/m I found it AND IE WORKS AGAIN!!!!! THANKS :cheer: cool :)

but you should still do another spybot check to see what it finds, and whether its gonna do it again or not *crosses fingers*

Originally posted by robyrob
cool :)

but you should still do another spybot check to see what it finds, and whether its gonna do it again or not *crosses fingers*

OK, I'll do that right now.

Originally posted by robyrob
check your hosts file to see if it has been "taken over" - open up Spybot and go to the "Tools" section, then click on "Hosts File" what does it have in there?

If it has been taken over, it would have the names or IPs of search sites, and have them redirected to something, try add the Spybot hosts list

I still say yer best bet is System Restore, followed by running HijackThis (http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/)
and SEE what it says your search settings are pointing to, and then reset them

I went to Hosts File and it just says localhost...that's all I see. Nothing other than localhost :)

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I went to Hosts File and it just says localhost...that's all I see. Nothing other than localhost :) yer good there then - you can add the Spybot Hosts file if you want - it puts the names of "bad" sites on there, so that it redirects them and they can't be loaded (helps with ads, pop-ups, etc)

Messed up post.

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
OK, I'll do that right now.

Okay, there was one that Spybot said couldn't fix because that file is still in memory....There's only one item though and it's a file named FastClick. It's a "tracking cookie or cookie of tracking site", according to Spybot's description.

Originally posted by robyrob
yer good there then - you can add the Spybot Hosts file if you want - it puts the names of "bad" sites on there, so that it redirects them and they can't be loaded (helps with ads, pop-ups, etc)

Just did that. Thanks! :)

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
Okay, there was one that Spybot said couldn't fix because that file is still in memory....There's only one item though and it's a file named FastClick. It's a "tracking cookie or cookie of tracking site", according to Spybot's description. yeah, if you still have IE open, the tracking cookie is still in use and can't be deleted, its not a big deal though, just make sure IE is closed the next time you run spybot

I'm still wondering if the MS Messenger update could've had a hand in it; I know it changes some of your IE settings when you update it, but i don't know which

Originally posted by mdntrider7
Oh, I see. I thought it might be something like that, but wasn't sure. Anyway, thanks for all the information! I'll definitely keep it in mind from now on!! I just hope I haven't damaged my computer beyond repair. I'd hate to have to spend a fortune at the computer shop again. No problem :)
I'm still wondering though - does it actually have the word "Safemode" in all four corners of the desktop?

Originally posted by robyrob
No problem :)
I'm still wondering though - does it actually have the word "Safemode" in all four corners of the desktop?

I actually answered that, and responded to all your other comments and suggestions, but my post ended up real messed up. I quoted you, and somehow my responses to everything you said ended up in your quote, so I deleted the post entirely. I'll pm you everything I said in the post though.

But anyway, no it doesn't say Safemode in each corner. Everything is just real fuzzy and unclear like it is when your computer's running on Safe mode. But it doesn't actually say Safe mode anywhere on the screen.

Originally posted by mdntrider7
I actually answered that, and responded to all your other comments and suggestions, but my post ended up real messed up. I quoted you, and somehow my responses to everything you said ended up in your quote, so I deleted the post entirely. I'll pm you everything I said in the post though.

But anyway, no it doesn't say Safemode in each corner. Everything is just real fuzzy and unclear like it is when your computer's running on Safe mode. But it doesn't actually say Safe mode anywhere on the screen. if it doesn't say safemode, then yer in normal mode - you just need to find the proper drivers for your video card, etc...

- did your computer come with any driver disks?
you could TRY going to Windows Update, and see if it can help identify your drivers, or if you know the model #, you could go to the manuf. website and look up/download the proper drivers... but it can take some work to find that stuff... sorry :(

Originally posted by robyrob
if it doesn't say safemode, then yer in normal mode - you just need to find the proper drivers for your video card, etc...

- did your computer come with any driver disks?
you could TRY going to Windows Update, and see if it can help identify your drivers, or if you know the model #, you could go to the manuf. website and look up/download the proper drivers... but it can take some work to find that stuff... sorry :(

I got this computer at an auction, and unfortunately the only thing that came with it was the keyboard, and the mouse. It didn't come with any driver disks or anything, so anytime there's a problem, I usually have to either figure it out myself, (which usually doesn't work out too well), or bring it into the shop, where they charge a fortune. Hopefully it wont come to that this time though! But anyway, thanks alot for all your advice, and tips. Most of what you said I didn't know before, so having all this info will definitely help me out alot in the future.:)

Originally posted by robyrob
yeah, if you still have IE open, the tracking cookie is still in use and can't be deleted, its not a big deal though, just make sure IE is closed the next time you run spybot

I'm still wondering if the MS Messenger update could've had a hand in it; I know it changes some of your IE settings when you update it, but i don't know which

I updated MSN Messenger within the first hour that I had my computer plugged in, so that was obviously a while ago...just started happening today. But thanks again. :D

I have now determined that Spybot removes something when I run it, and that's why IE got so messed up for me now. I'm afraid to run it again because on the main page, I keep getting an alert that says "Do you want to install _______" (I think something like "IE EXTRA" or whatever)....It only happens on the main page of SO, not anywhere else. :grr:

Originally posted by PZelda: VICKI!!
I have now determined that Spybot removes something when I run it, and that's why IE got so messed up for me now. I'm afraid to run it again because on the main page, I keep getting an alert that says "Do you want to install _______" (I think something like "IE EXTRA" or whatever)....It only happens on the main page of SO, not anywhere else. :grr: Spybot doesn't remove anything unless you specify it by checking the box for each item and clickng on the "Fix Problems"
What does spybot find when you run it?


So yer saying that when you open the main SO page it asks you to install something?

Originally posted by robyrob
Spybot doesn't remove anything unless you specify it by checking the box for each item and clickng on the "Fix Problems"
What does spybot find when you run it?


So yer saying that when you open the main SO page it asks you to install something?


It happened to me too here at SO. A window pops up and asks if I want to install an "IE Plug In" or something like that :confused:

Originally posted by robyrob
Spybot doesn't remove anything unless you specify it by checking the box for each item and clickng on the "Fix Problems"
What does spybot find when you run it?


So yer saying that when you open the main SO page it asks you to install something?

Man...That's hard...I just know that it does something and then when I open up IE, it can't find the page...so I've had to do System Restore to get it back to normal.

PaceyGirrl and I get the same thing - the occasional alert at the main SO page asking me if I want to install the IE Plug In and it won't go away...I click on "Cancel" but it still comes up. :mad: :grr: So I have to click on one of the top links REALLY fast before it comes up again.

Originally posted by robyrob
Spybot doesn't remove anything unless you specify it by checking the box for each item and clickng on the "Fix Problems"
What does spybot find when you run it? I might be misunderstanding something. Spybot does remove spyware. That's its function. Like you said, though, it doesn't do anything unless you ask it to. I click on 'Check for problems' once a week or more. Each time I do that it brings up some numbers of spyware that have invaded my computer. Then I click fix problems, and they are removed.

I don't know what is going on with Pzeld's computer but I doubt that Spybot is a part of the problem.

Originally posted by Kitt
I might be misunderstanding something. Spybot does remove spyware. That's its function. Like you said, though, it doesn't do anything unless you ask it to. I click on 'Check for problems' once a week or more. Each time I do that it brings up some numbers of spyware that have invaded my computer. Then I click fix problems, and they are removed.

I don't know what is going on with Pzeld's computer but I doubt that Spybot is a part of the problem.

It would remove something that wouldn't make IE work and then I have to do System Restore...I'm not sure what it is though and I don't want to hink about it anymore. :p