Solved Work station will not boot normally but will boot in safe mode

[JHand]

TO Windows 7 Forum

Dell T5400 workstation will not boot normally into Win7, but will boot into safe mode via F8, where programs work normally.

From "Start' the system produces normal POST screen [no alerts] and the usual RAID notice, followed by a blinking white cursor.

After brief pause the screen refreshes and black screen appears with text, 'Windows is Starting' follwed by appearance of moving, fuzzy Win logo above text.

A few seconds after logo settles, it and the text are replaced with a gray rectangle with text "No Signal" (presumably from monitor), and screen goes blank/black.

Computer does not turn off, and panel lights indicate some HD activity.

BTW: Computer will not start from "Restart" initiated in safe mode.

Details:
Win 7 is as up to date as it will take.
Problem first noted at time the monitor died, a month ago.
(Monitor replaced with Viewsonic VP2768)
Have done the usual: SFC, disk clean, virus check, check disk, and the numerous start repair options offered by the system.

> > > Finally I tried to reinstall via saved image (using the Windows restore from image program) but while it seemed to work and announced it had done its job, the behavior returned to that described above.


[Sometime the last two days I saw a brief warning that the system battery was low.?]

 

[file3456]

If the computer runs in safe mode it could be due to a driver or hardware and safe mode bypasses that so that's why it works. To rule out if it's a driver you can try to use Autoruns and disable a few startup entries at a time until the computer functions. Then enable one startup entry at a time until you get the problem again.

It may be the video card driver. Not too sure. In safe mode uninstall the current, then reboot and see if you can get into the computer without safe mode. If so then it may be the video card driver. It could also be the video card its self. But since safe mode works perhaps not.

About the battery warning, and this is something I'd fix first. It's the CMOS battery which is a coin cell battery on the motherboard. Perhaps BIOS settings aren't sticking because the battery is dead thus your issues. Download the user's guide here. https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/precision-t5400/docs

Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs

 

[Megahertz07]

The BIOS battery is normally a CR2032 and it's easy to replace.

 

[JHand]

Work station will boot only in safe mode

22 Simpilot,


Pursued your suggestions, eventually got detailed messages from Startup Repair, but computer failed to boot at all.



So, the delay in responding. Shelved the old warhorse and got new Win 10 machine.


Thanks to you and the Forum.