How do I get this *#%% Compaq Evo out of safe boot (alternateshell)???
I am working on a Compaq Evo N600C laptop. By mistake I set bootini to boot into safemode minimal(alternateshell). That puts me into a command prompt with no graphical interface. So I can't issue 'msconfig' and get the startup menu again to get back into normal mode.
When I reboot and hit f8 it gives me the startup boot menu, but whatever I specify, normal, safe, safe with networking, it always puts me back into safe mode with no icons and no start menu. I need this machine up and running to give to the customer by 4PM today. How do I get out of this?
Thanks,
Al
Ps. In case you see multiple questions with this same title, I just tried to enter this same question using the Opera browser. But when I hit ‘submit’ nothing happened. Now I’m trying it under IE.
When I reboot and hit f8 it gives me the startup boot menu, but whatever I specify, normal, safe, safe with networking, it always puts me back into safe mode with no icons and no start menu. I need this machine up and running to give to the customer by 4PM today. How do I get out of this?
Thanks,
Al
Ps. In case you see multiple questions with this same title, I just tried to enter this same question using the Opera browser. But when I hit ‘submit’ nothing happened. Now I’m trying it under IE.
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ThanQ
ASKER
cheritonit, thank you also. I didn't actually see your comment until I wrapped up this question. I have no idea where my last comment went, but I did very much what you said. I copied the boot.ini to boot.old then 'edit boot.ini' and tool out the (alternateshell) at the very end of the line. Then I held my breath, booted successfully into minimal, where I could get at msconfig. God I hate Compaq's. May HP bury the name forever.
Thank you both,
Al
Thank you both,
Al
When you get the boot choice menu, what happens if you choose Last Good Configuration?
If all else fails, put in the Windows XP disk. Let it boot from CD, and press R for the Recovery Console.
Log in to the correct install of Windows (e.g. press 1). Enter your Administrator password (try just pressing ENTER if you don't know it).
You should get a command prompt. See if you can edit the boot.ini
If you need a list of commands, type HELP. Some old DOS commands are also supported. Try typing:
edit boot.ini
If you have access to another computer, copy the boot.ini to a floppy disk (copy boot.ini a:). Open it in the other computer, make the necessary changes, and then copy back to c:
If all else fails, make a backup of the boot.ini (copy boot.ini bootini.bak) and delete boot.ini (del boot.ini)