My Computer only runs in Safe Mode..

For a few months now, my comp has been screwed up, but I could still get it to work normally so I didnt think anything about it. It would say "Invalid BOOT.INI file" prior to startup. Then, on the screen where windows is loading...with the bars going across the screen...it would restart. It would do the same thing except go to the BIOS scree where it offers me all the regular options. I used to be able to start it in Safe Mode and then restart it normally once I got it there. Now I can't, I can only run in safe mode.Does anybody know whats wrong?

Boot into safe mode, do a system restore to before the computer started having problems.

To perform a system restore, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore.

I tried several restore points, it "cannot restore". Any other ideas? I tried resetting BIOS too and it didnt do anything

Backup all your data, format and start again.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=335900&Sku=M17-7502

good deal

Backup all your data, format and start again.


I have no idea how to do this on my built computer. I used to be able to just hit r on startup. I have no data that I'm worried about keeping, which is good because I have no way to back it up, my external CD burner wont work in safe mode for some reason and my internal one has been messed up for a while.

I have no idea how to do this on my built computer. I used to be able to just hit r on startup. I have no data that I'm worried about keeping, which is good because I have no way to back it up, my external CD burner wont work in safe mode for some reason and my internal one has been messed up for a while.


Unless your bios does allow boot from a removable device such as the external CD burner you'll need to get a new internal optical drive to boot from.


Anyway once you booted from the Xp CD you have two options at this point:

1. A clean install as OZ recommended (better option)
2. Or if you are lazy or not sure how to do a clean install you can use the System Repair option of the XP CD. It will replace all your system files with the original ones. (this is more of a "dirty reinstall" and not quite as recomended as a proper clean but it should work - make sure to update the system again one you used this option)

I have to restart my computer every few minutes to use the internet because of safe mode....my AIM works though. If you could contact me at Skunk2Civic92 that would kick ass. I have no OS CD, the data from my old HD was copied to my new one. My old pc(HP=POS) had a set of 13 recovery CDs that has XP, I just tried to use them but they can be booted from. I know its illegal, but could I get a bootable XP via a torrent? I dont see a point in having to pay for someting I already have. I can't pay for it anyway, I have less than $20 to my name.

When in Safe Mode, hit the Run menu and type in "msconfig". Hit Enter. Under the BOOT.INI tab, click the "Check All Boot Paths" button and see if it finds anything irregular. If it does, it should be able to repair it. If not, I'd have to agree with Oz and format/reinstall.

The recovery CD's you have will format and reinstall, but they'll nuke anything you have on the drive you may want to keep. Those pre-built PC manufacturers rarely, if ever, include an actual Windows OS CD. You just get something that "resets" it to how it was when you first bought it.

[removed, AF DOES NOT ALLOW WAREZ. But there are plenty of sites that do.]
-Oz

Would clearing your CMOS do it?

Would clearing your CMOS do it?


nah, the boot.ini file is a windows file that its not connected with the bios

I just took my computer to a friend of mine. He hooked me up with a new XP CD for $85 brand new...(he repairs computers for a living). I got my mom to pay for the rest..