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Windows Vista Safe mode changes won't save

I have a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium. I updated my Microsoft Security Essentials program, and shortly afterward, my computer "Blue Screened". Anyway, I cannot log back into my PC. I can boot into safemode. I tried to uninstall M.S.E, but it won't uninstall in Safe mode. I ran MSConfig, and I checked off the M.S.E program so it wouldn't start. I also unchecked a few other unnecessary programs. I rebooted normally, and I still got the BSOD. I logged back into Safe Mode, and none of my original MSConfig changes took. The items were still checked. I definitely have admin rights. Also, I deleted the items from the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows.........\Run\ key and rebooted. Same problem. When I entered back into Safe mode, the registy keys had been restored as if the changes never saved. Finally, I tried running System Restore, and I get an error on every Restore point, "The Requested Operation could not be performed. I also have Malwarebytes, and Norton 360 on my machine. I scanned for viruses, and the defs are up to date. No Viruses found. At this point, something is prohibiting me from saving configuration changes in Windows Vista safe mode. Any suggestions would be most appreciative!

dlan75

Hi,
why do you run Norton 360 and MSE? Several security programs on one computer is not recommended mainly with Norton. Try uninstalling norton 360 and malwarebytes. If no success backup your files and reinstall your system.
Use only one security program and prefer something like kaspersky or Eset Nod32

elecdave

ASKER

Dlan75, Thanks for the quick respons. I've never had issues with running multiple Virus Scanners on one PC. Norton 360 was provided free of charge from my ISP, but it doesn't catch every virus as is the case with most Virus programs. M.S.E and Norton 360 have been playing nicely together until the most recent M.S.E update. Needless to say, I've tried uninstalling Norton also in safe mode. The uninstaller seems to run successfully, but when I reboot, the program is still installed. Again, for some reason, none of my safe mode changes are getting update. As for a complete reinstall, I'm one of these geeks who looks for answers in hopes of saving from having to do another reinstall in the future. Anyway, I'll give it a day or two to see what happens.

dlan75

I know it can work but it is not recommended to have several antiviruses on one machine.
Can you try, in safe mode, to uninstall the last windows updates and give it a new try?

elecdave

ASKER

I'll double check the last Windows Updates, and I'll keep you posted. Regardless, I'll take your advice regarding M.S.E and Norton. I do also have Malwarebytes installed for manual scanning also. Anwyay, I'll keep you posted.

dlan75

Get a unique solution to keep your computer secure. Too much security causes instability :-)
MSE's updates are located with the windows updates normally. Let me know

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dlan75

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elecdave

ASKER

dlan75,

I elevated to Admin priveledges in safe mode. I logged in using the Administrator account in safe mode. I disabled both Micrsoft and Norton Anti-virus in startup. However, the machine still Blue-screened. When I logged back into Safe mode, the startup changes didn't stick.
Anyway, I purchased and upgraded the PC to Windows 7 Pro. I did a clean install, but didn't wipe the partician. I noticed that for every instance that I logged in to the machine in safe mode when I was having the problem, it created a new profile. For example, under the C:\windows.old\users directory their were profiles for the administrator that looked like "administrator.000, administratrator.001, administrator.002...etc. The same for my user account that I had on the machine. It only created these profiles when I logged into safe mode. Really strange problem. Anyway, since i never resolved the issue, and Windows 7 Pro is running fast as lightning, I'll give you all the points. Thanks for the suggestions!!!