There are two methos! Use method one! Do not force it to start up using method two unless method one dont work.
METHOD ONE:
Using the F8 Method:
- Restart your computer.
- When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu.
- Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
- Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
- System restore!
METHOD TWO:
Using the System Configuration Tool Method:
Note: If you are having trouble entering Safe Mode via the F8 method, you should not use this method to force it to startup into safe mode.
Step 1: Close all programs so that you have nothing open and are at the desktop.
Step 2: Click on the Start button then click on Run.
Step 3: In the Run field type msconfig as shown in the image below.
Figure 4. Starting Msconfig
Step 4: Press the OK button and the System Configuration Utility will start up. You will then see a screen similar to Figure 5 below.
Figure 5. Starting the System Configuration Utility
Step 5: Click on the tab labeled "BOOT.INI" which is designated by the red box in Figure 5 above. You will then be presented with a screen similar to Figure 6 below.
Figure 6. BOOT.INI Tab
Step 6: Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT" designated by the red box in Figure 6 above. Then press the OK button. After pressing the button you will be presented with a confirmation box as shown in Figure 7 below.
Figure 7. Confirm Reboot
Step 7: Press the Restart button and let the computer reboot. It will now boot up into Safe Mode.
Step 8: When the computer boots up do what diagnostic or troubleshooting tasks that you need to do.
Step 9. When are finished with your tasks, complete steps 1-7 again, but in Step 6 this time uncheck the checkbox labeled "/SAFEBOOT". Then click on the General tab and set it for Normal startup.
Step 10: Reboot the computer back into normal mode.
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After it starts up in safe mode, you restore windows to an earlier point where it was working successfully using system restore.
HOW TO SYSTEM RESTORE?
To use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state, follow these steps:
- Log on to Windows as Administrator.
- Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
- On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
- On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.
Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
- On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
- Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page is displayed.
- Click OK.
If you successfully restored your computer to a previous state, and the computer is performing as it should be, you are finished.
If you need any help let me know!!
Gd luck!