Solved Cannot boot into Safemode, not even with msconfig

[Jeff1]

I'm trying to boot into safemode but cannot get it to open. I've tried F8, F2, F12. Del takes me into the BIOS settings and there is nothing in there to boot into safemode. I went into msconfig and told it to boot into safemode and it booted into regular Windows after restarting. I went into msconfig again and it shows it should be booting into safemode. Any ideas why this is happening? It is an Asus board if that helps.

 

[Anak]

Try using Option Three here:
Using BCDEDIT Command in a Command Prompt

You should try to find out why you cannot boot into safe mode using the regular methods.

 

[Anak]

I found this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/93899-cant-boot-into-safe-mode.html

If Option Three does not work, the last post there points to a solution in the first post here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/170824-no-safe-boot-no-os-listed.html#post1549408

Both of those threads offer some reasons why you can not boot into safe mode, using multiple HDD's, and BCDEdit for two.

 

[Jeff1]

Thank you for your response.

In bcdedit, safeboot is not listed at all. I have 'nx' listed as 'OptIn' but nothing below that.

Under msconfig, it does show Windows 7 under the boot tab.

Is there a way to restore safeboot/safemode option when it is missing?

I am only using my SSD for the OS and programs while I have two other SATA hard drives for my data and storage. I was running a Raid0 setup before I reloaded the OS onto the previous single SSD. The Raid CTRL - I window does appear in startup but shows the drives are not part of a raid setup.

 

[PooMan UK]

Your pressing F8 to soon ... wait until the POST screen (the screen that shows memory, hdd etc.) has come up then after this press F8 a few times (it might take a bit of practice to get the timing right)

 

[Jeff1]

Thank you, you are correct. I thought I had tried pressing F8 at all possible intervals, but obviously not. I still don't understand why it doesn't work via msconfig, but I prefer the F8 way anyways.

 

[windude99]

Why do you need to enter safemode?

 

[Jeff1]

I was trying to load a program that I think I mistakenly told my security program to not allow to run. I know that security programs don't run in safemode so I thought the quickest way to find out was to try to load it in safemode. I was correct as the program loaded in safemode and I can now use it in normal mode. I couldn't figure out where to disable the security program or to find blocked programs in regular mode so I figured the easiest way to find out was to go into safemode.

 

[Winky7]

@ Jeff1, what are you using for security program?

My tip is to un-install your current and install Micrsoft Security Essential. Great stuff, allthough a couple of years too late. I would have liked it when XP was comming out. Man oh man what viruses was going on in the 'old' days

//Leopold

 

[Jeff1]

I tried MSE but was very disappointed in it. After doing a full scan with it I would run a second online scan and it would find lots of junk MSE did not pick up on. It is good as a free product or if you have nothing better to use. I use McAfee now as it is provided free of charge by my service provider and has never been an issue.

 

[Anak]

Thank you for your response.

In bcdedit, safeboot is not listed at all. I have 'nx' listed as 'OptIn' but nothing below that.

Under msconfig, it does show Windows 7 under the boot tab.

Is there a way to restore safeboot/safemode option when it is missing?

I am only using my SSD for the OS and programs while I have two other SATA hard drives for my data and storage. I was running a Raid0 setup before I reloaded the OS onto the previous single SSD. The Raid CTRL - I window does appear in startup but shows the drives are not part of a raid setup.

Please use your Registry Editor to check if this Key is present:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot

If it isn't then it is possible that it was removed by some form of virus/malware, your machine maybe clean now, but cleaning won't put the Key back.
See for explanation: The Undeletable SafeBoot Key « Didier Stevens then check #'s 16, 17, 18 in Comments.

If it is, it may be related to your having your OS on the SSD, and or in how the Raid is set-up.
I wouldn't be able to help with that because I do not have experience with SSD's or Raid's.

 

[Jeff1]

That registry key is there so something else must be going on. I've also been having a problem with my video card not recognizing my monitor unless I unplug the cable and plug it back into the monitor. I think something didn't go quite right in my OS reload last weekend. I will back track a bit but I think I may do a fresh install and see what the system and see if anything changes. I may try the steps as noted in the comments as well. Thanks.