Solved Laptop boots up in safe mode and shuts down automatically

[cmnunis]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and so, a big hello to all you "veterans" on this site. I hope to learn from you guys as I go along.

So here is my problem:-

My laptop started up in safe mode randomly and just went along. I tried to do a System Restore but then it shut down suddenly. I booted it up again and this time, the laptop lasted shorter than usual. I have also tried other options, like "Last Known Good Configuration" and "Startup Repair".

When I click on "Startup Windows Normally", it still goes into safe mode. I've tried doing a few things in safe mode and even that does not work. I tried going into Device Manager etc and there is no time to do anything as the laptop just dies off.

Methinks that it could be a hardware problem but has anyone had this problem before? If so, how did you guys get around to solving it?

All help will be much appreciated. Thanks for your time guys.

 

[davehc]

On battery, main power, or both?

 

[cmnunis]

On battery, main power, or both?

Hi mate, on both.

 

[t-4-2]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and so, a big hello to all you "veterans" on this site. I hope to learn from you guys as I go along.

So here is my problem:-

My laptop started up in safe mode randomly and just went along. I tried to do a System Restore but then it shut down suddenly. I booted it up again and this time, the laptop lasted shorter than usual. I have also tried other options, like "Last Known Good Configuration" and "Startup Repair".

When I click on "Startup Windows Normally", it still goes into safe mode. I've tried doing a few things in safe mode and even that does not work. I tried going into Device Manager etc and there is no time to do anything as the laptop just dies off.

Methinks that it could be a hardware problem but has anyone had this problem before? If so, how did you guys get around to solving it?

All help will be much appreciated. Thanks for your time guys.

See if your computer is somehow set to boot in safe mode.....

Start > in the search box, type msconfig > press Enter key > click Boot tab at the top > under Boot options, make sure there is no check mark in front of Safe Boot > in fact, make sure there are no checkmarks anywhere > click OK when done.

see screenshot :

 

[MacGyvr]

Press F8 during the boot up process and when you get the long menu of options, choose the one that says "Disable Automatic Restart.........."

Now you'll be able to see the blue screen error that is happening when the system restarts and possibly use the information to correct the problem.

 

[cmnunis]

Hi guys,

thanks so much for the assistance. I've already fixed the problem. Thanks again.

 

[MacGyvr]

Please make a post showing how it was fixed so that others can benefit from it and also mark the thread as solved. Otherwise people will continue to respond to it.

 

[cmnunis]

Ok, so what happened was, I did what Dave (see 4th post) suggested. Once that happened, I restarted the laptop and it started working fine.

I did a virus scan shortly after and guess what, there were 2 backdoors in my system that allowed for remote access. I cleared those 2 and now, its working well.

So, thanks again.

 

[marsmimar]

Glad to hear things are working again. Just one suggestion, though. Since not every antivirus or antspyware is 100% effective 100% of the time, I'd strongly recommend using a couple of free tools for additional scans - just to make sure there isn't something else hidden.

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a free download that removes viruses and malware from your computer

Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html

 

[cmnunis]

Hi guys, it looks like its happening again. This time, it doesn't go beyond the "Starting Microsoft" screen. It shows that screen and then it just dies off.

It all started with the disk check. I had wanted to do a disk check, and I ticked on both options. How do I get in to undo that now? :S

 

[marsmimar]

With both options ticked, disc check could take well over an hour to run. Did you see any kind of progress bar during the scan? (There are 5 parts to the scan.)

When you start your computer can you boot into Safe Mode? If yes you could try scanning for more malware or attempt a System File Checker scan. You may have some damaged or corrupt system files.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[cmnunis]

Hi Marsmimar,

here's how it works now:-

1. It went straight into the disk check after the Dell and "Starting Windows" screen. After a few seconds, the laptop just collapsed. Yes there were 5 steps, but it didn't complete the first one.

2. I switched it on again and this time, I pressed F8. I tried to go into Safe Mode but as the files were loading, it collapsed again. I tried "Last Known Good Configuration" but all of that didn't work as the laptop kept collapsing.

3. Right now, it doesn't go beyond the Dell logo. It dies off after a few seconds.

 

[Britton30]

If you can go to a friend's PC download Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta | Microsoft Connect ,this will run from a USB flash drive or can be burned to a CD. It will boot your machine, do an update and do a full scan. May take over an hours.

 

[marsmimar]

By any chance, did you make a system repair disc?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Do you know if your Dell has a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive? Since you know the machine was infected previously, it might be better to bite the bullet and return the machine to factory specs and reinstall everything. Yes, a PITA but pretty much guaranteed to give you a clean hard drive to work from.

 

[cmnunis]

I've got a spare laptop. Working on it now. Thanks for the tip. Will update you guys once its done.

 

[cmnunis]

I just created a system repair disc.

 

[marsmimar]

The repair disc can be used to boot your computer. (You may have to enter the BIOS t make your optical disc drive the first boot choice.) Then you can get to various options.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

 

[cmnunis]

Hi guys,

UPDATE: I got in to do a diagnostics test, and the PC lasted long enough to tell me that my HDD was failing. I then switched it off and booted it again, and managed to go into Windows. I did a PC Checkup and yes, it confirmed that my HDD was failing. With that said, I've just purchased a new HDD thats on its way as we speak and that solves the problem. Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Britton30]

Good catch, glad you figured it out bud.

 

[marsmimar]

Hi guys,

UPDATE: I got in to do a diagnostics test, and the PC lasted long enough to tell me that my HDD was failing. I then switched it off and booted it again, and managed to go into Windows. I did a PC Checkup and yes, it confirmed that my HDD was failing. With that said, I've just purchased a new HDD thats on its way as we speak and that solves the problem. Thank you for your assistance.

Glad to hear you were able to isolate the problem. Thanks for posting back to let us know.