Safe Mode won't boot.

[RatB0Y68]

I am having a problem with my new gaming computer, when I try to boot it in safe mode, it loads all the necessary files, gets past the windows screen and all the way to the login screen.

 

However, in a few seconds the computer switches off and restarts to a normal boot. It is important to note that normal mode works absolutely fine, I only booted it up in safe mode because I am told virus scans are more effective that way.

I am pretty confident it isn't a virus for the following reasons, though this could simply be frantic hope.

 

- Normal mode works fine, no performance problems or suspicious behaviour.

- My antivirus programs still work, I use Microsoft security essentials and Malwarebytes anti-malware. I understand many viruses can disable antivirus programs, but this hasn't happened.

- I also used Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and TDSSKiller from Kapersky, and they turned up nothing.

- I am careful on the internet, I never click any ads ever. If any pop-ups do appear, I close them using the Task Manager.

 

However I could be wrong, maybe an advanced, powerful virus has breezed past my defences as if they were nonexistent.

I have also read on computer forums across the internet that it may be a software driver issue, so I shall detail the specifications of my rig below:

 

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5Ghz Overclocked to 4.6Ghz and Hyperthreaded

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H

GPU: EVGA GTX 680 Classified 4 GB VRAM

Hard Drive: 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003 SATA3

RAM: 2 x 8 GB DDR3

Sound: Asus Xonar DG

Keyboard: Logitech G110

Mouse: Logitech G400

 

As far as I know this is all the relevant information I can think of. If anyone can think of any other important info, tell me and I shall do all in my limited power to provide it. Bear in mind though that my technical knowledge of computers is limited.

If anyone can provide any information on what may be preventing my safe mode from booting I would be very grateful.

Thank you for your time.

Edited February 6, 2013 by RatB0Y68

[Vecna6667]

You can try using a live antivirus cd like AVG Rescue CD to name one. Google "live antivirus cd" and you can get many hits. Also http://www.raymond.cc/blog/13-antivirus-rescue-cds-software-compared-in-search-for-the-best-rescue-disk/ could give you a list of Live Antivirus CDs you can use. I've also heard that knoppix linux works well as a live cd for virus removal. Some viruses can actually romove the safe mode key and its subkeys minimal and network from the registry, I don't think that is the case since you were able to log into safe mode. If you want to know if a virus had removed safe mode, in regedit, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\, if SafeMode is not there, then a virus had removed it or you may have unknowingly deleted it. In such a case, you might want to reinstall windows (hopefully you created a backup image or had backed up the registry.) I try to avoided making changes to the registry.

 

My only other ideas are that you are overclocking while going into safe which uses a very minimal setup and you are hyperthreading which can mess with overclocking and most software that you will be running in safe mode are software that do not benefit from hyperthreading at all.

[RatB0Y68]

I took a look at the registry using regedit, and looked at the file directory you specified, I found a folder called safeboot, so I don't think safe mode functionality has been deleted, which is a relief.

 

I probably should have been clearer, but I cannot log in to safe mode, when I get to the login screen, after a few seconds the computer switches off and restarts. Like I said, a normal boot works fine, it is just safe mode that doesn't.

 

I will have a look on the internet regarding overclocking and hyperthreading and see if maybe they are preventing safe mode from working.

[bben46]

I have heard that Win8 has some strange problem with safe mode.

 

If you can, use the live antivirus CD. It completely bypasses the Windows and any virus that may be blocking anything. It boots using Linux, then scans the drive without Windows ever being active.

 

You can create the live CD on a different computer if you think yours has a virus. The various Linux Live antivirus can also be installed on a USB stick and booted from that if you don't have a cd or DVD drive.

[Vecna6667]

I took a look at the registry using regedit, and looked at the file directory you specified, I found a folder called safeboot, so I don't think safe mode functionality has been deleted, which is a relief.

 

I probably should have been clearer, but I cannot log in to safe mode, when I get to the login screen, after a few seconds the computer switches off and restarts. Like I said, a normal boot works fine, it is just safe mode that doesn't.

 

I will have a look on the internet regarding overclocking and hyperthreading and see if maybe they are preventing safe mode from working.

 

I kept forgetting to ask this, but how long can you keep Windows running while in normal mode and running a stress tester like Prime 95? I hear most people who overclock try to aim for 24 hours without crashing. I've tried looking up your problem but most results kept returning results of normal mode not working but safe mode would work no matter how I worded my search. I had misread my computer's registry as SafeMode, but it is SafeBoot as you said.

 

I just found a possible answer while typing this reply, check out the website at the end of this post. A system repair from the installation disk may be needed but try any of the other solutions before that point first. The topic was done with windows vista but windows 7 is essentially the same.

 

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-system/can-boot-only-to-normal-mode-and-not-to-safe-mode/0916fae0-4e6e-40d9-aebd-e058006bdbaf

Edited February 7, 2013 by Vecna6667

[RatB0Y68]

I had a look at the website you mentioned, and I see several problems with the proposed solutions.

 

First, the problem with forcing a safe mode boot with msconfig.exe is that if it doesn't work, the computer will be forced into an endless cycle of booting and restarting ie: it will try to boot safe mode, arrive at the login screen, switch off and restart etc. This is what I have read on computer forums regarding similar problems to mine.

 

Secondly, with regard to restore points, I don't know if there ever was a point where safe mode was working on this computer. I discovered this problem the first time I tried booting safe mode, so there is no previous point to restore to where it was working.

 

To answer your question about stress testing, I haven't stress tested my computer myself but, when it was being built by Scan, it underwent numerous stress tests including Prime 95 as part of quality control. According to the report provided, it managed 24 hours without crashing, I think.

 

I won't be online for a good few hours as I have to sleep now. I would like to thank you for your input and I appreciate the help you've provided so far.